My Mansion.....

There are many rumors about me on this island, some spiteful, and some plain ridiculous. People have far too much time to be gossiping about me, and I wish they spent their time more constructively, but hey can't change idiots can we! One of the longest running lies that is spread is that I make money from what I do..... Animal rescue = millionaire. They see the donations coming in, but as they are simply too stupid to do the figures, or simply ask, they presume I am the next Bill Gates.

I have been told so many times that I live in a mansion, with a pool, and a brand new car, all bought with peoples donations. Firstly, both my husband and I work, to subsidize the animals, as there is NEVER enough money to pay for feed and vets, and secondly, I dont even live in a house, let alone a mansion!  I do in fact live in a goat shed, yep a goat shed....

When I found this plot of land, it had the most amazing potential, it had space, buildings for animals, and a stunning view..... but no where to live. This of course didnt put me off for a second, so I moved my family to the top of a mountain, in winter, with no thought of where the hell we were going to live. I really should think things through more! We moved in to what once was the main goat housing, there was a back wall, side walls, and a roof....... no rooms, no plumbing, no electrics, and no front wall.

So, there was us, living basically outside, with no building skills, jobs to contend with and day to day life. Looking back we were insane, even more than usual, but hey, we did it, dont get me wrong three years on, our living space, is still unfinished, still leaks, and still needs work, but it is home! Over the years we bought building materials as we could afford them, and did all the work our selves. Building around jobs and animals was stressful, and took so long, but we are proud of what we achieved. It is no mansion, but it is a place we call home, built with love, determination and hard work.

The Pound....

We work with all the pounds on the island, and going to any of them is a reality check of how big a problem is on this island. I used to get upset when I went, but now I feel dis heartened, and angry. Over the years the problem has not got better, and in fact it seems to get worse. I am angry at the sheer numbers of dogs that are dumped by arsehole owners, angry at the government for not doing more to steralise, and disheartened that we cannot do more to help.

The pounds in themselves are not that bad, and the volunteers and dog catchers do as much as they can with limited resources and funds. It annoys me when people slag off the pounds, and critacise them for having to destroy dogs, I wonder what do they propose instead. Over 10,000 dogs went into our main pound last year, with figures like this a no kill policy just isn't realistic.

When you wander around the pound it is heartbreaking, you have hundreds of eyes following you, pleading with you to help. People often ask me "how do you choose?" well for me its a feeling, and I always set out stating I would help the ones no one else would. I am well known now for taking the old, blind, deaf, overgrown, big, ugly dogs, but I have proved time and time again these deserve a chance too.

Every cage and corral has a huge number of dogs, many are fighting with each other, and others fighting to stay alive. You see the ones that have been handed in, beautifully clipped by their owners now knowing what the hell is going on. I will never understand how anyone can walk into a pound and simply hand their dog over, what do they actually think is going to happen.

Every single dog that walks through the doors potentially can be destroyed at any given time, some survive longer, others vanish as quick as they come in. I no longer see the point in getting upset, tears dont help these dogs, getting them out is what matters. In three years we have saved just short of 300 poundies, although that figure is great, it is still not enough.

Why Bother?

One of my biggest hates in animal rescue is when wanna be groups set up, thinking they can save the world, and reality is they are actually doing more harm than good. They sit at home and think "ooooo I could do that, it looks so easy" So off they go, set up their group, design their logos and add their friends. Suddenly overnight they have become the experts, they know EVERYTHING about animal rescue, and of course they know jack shit!

I have been doing this over 5 years and still I learn new things, experience new issues and problems, and still screw things up.... But these wanna be rescues think they are perfect, and believe they are doing whats best because they are "saving lives" Animal rescue is about so much more than just picking up a stray animal, feeding it for a few weeks and then giving it away to the first person who goes me, me I want an animal.

There are some amazing groups on this island, but there are also some people/groups that I could actually hit with a large object. When I see their names tagged in stray animal posts I want to scream at the screen noooooooo are you stupid. Classic example, kitten season has hit us, so around every corner are cute fluffy kittens needing homes.

One group has got new kittens, where they got them who knows, but the photos have been posted, and the "oh arent you amazing" posts are up and running. Will they vaccinate? Will they microchip? will they test for feline diseases, and will they steralise HELL NO.... what they will do is give them away to some muppet, who wants a kitten, not a cat but a kitten, with no paperwork, and no back up.... then in a few months that person will have more kittens and the circle starts again.

All these groups are doing is causing more harm than good, they arent helping the problem, they are doing it for their own need for back patting, and praise. As always though if you dare to say anything to these groups you are "attacking" them, and are only bitter and want all the animals for yourself! Trust me the last thing I want is all the animals, however, what I do want is crap "rescues" to do things properly.

Crazy Animal Lady

I have fast become that woman that cannot seem to say no, and attracts animals from all four corners of the earth. Everyone dreads me walking into a room due to the dirty clothes, and unbrushed hair, thankfully I don't smell yet, well not much. Even the locals refer to me as the crazy foreigner, well it could be worse!

The thing is I don't go out looking for animals, they just seem to find me, or jump out when driving, or get thrown over the wall. Last year it seems the new Olympic sport of kitten throwing was created as 32 kittens came over the wall. Every time we went out of the house, there were more, running around crying and needing food and attention.

If the kittens weren't enough, other animals seem to be drawn to us, whether |I am driving past a bin, or down the motorway you can guarantee I will find something. I have been advised to drive with my eyes closed, this I think would stop the animal finding, but may cause my death, hmmm maybe that is the plan.

All joking aside, I would never turn down any animal in need, if we cannot take them here, we suggest other places that would fit their needs better... like the camel... thats for another blog ;-) The inability to say no has caused the refuge to grow in numbers, and over the years we have got many interesting and amusing animals. Over time I will introduce you to the permanent residents who take up all my time and money... Talking of animals... another day starts so off to feed the zoo, ciao for now :) 

Why Now?

I have been running a rescue center for a few years now, so I suppose the question is why start blogging now? Well, why not!

I am a writer and have been trying to juggle my passion for animals and writing, and the time just feels, well, right!

So...... what is this blog about... Animal rescue..... the real side of it, not the fluffy selfies, and happy tails, but the shit, the blood, the tears and the stress.... sounds fun doesn't it!

Follow me, as I deal with what life throws at me everyday, I might even post some photos and updates of the animals.....