by Yasmin | 1 Jun, 2022 | Blog, News, Volunteering
It’s National Volunteers’ Week, a chance, every year from 1st to 7th June for charities and communities to Celebrate and Thank their amazing volunteers.
The PDWRA could not do what it does for Pugs in Need, without our volunteers!
Every single person involved in the rescuing, rehoming and welfare of pugs in our care is volunteering their time freely.
We thank those receiving calls for help, transporting pugs to their foster or forever families, fosterers rehabilitating pugs sometimes with extensive vet care. Homes are assessed and matched by trained and experienced volunteers. We have those fundraising to pay vet bills, and those paying the bills, in-house vet expertise and those spreading the word on social media and producing news bulletins as well as running our website, all following required protocols.
We thank them ALL!
Whether you’re already volunteering or would like to start, find out more about getting involved at:
For specific Vacancies, go to:
by Yasmin | 24 May, 2022 | Blog, Rescue Stories
This is the story of Doug, by Anne, is typical for pugs the PDWRA helps every day across the UK.
“Two days after returning from the US, obviously still Jet lagged, I got a call from our lovely, regional PDWRA rehomer. Could I help with a pug?! Doug was in a home and wasn’t settling at all, apparently quite aggressive and needed experienced fostering immediately. So, with the help of a number of our wonderful volunteers, I collected Doug from a well-known fast food restaurant car park!
He was terrified, growling as we got him out of the car to put in ours. Poor Doug didn’t have a clue what was happening, he’d had a really long day handled by strangers, saying a lot about him and our volunteers, that he coped so well.
Straight into the garden we went, walking straight into my enormous British Shorthair cat!! Poor Doug, he had no idea what was to come.
Four little pug faces at the conservatory door, excited about a stranger in our garden! Well, what do you do?… out they came like only a clan of pugs can, full speed with Iris in the lead, Doug couldn’t believe his little boggle eyes! Off they meandered around the garden, not a cross word between them.
Next morning off we went for our walk, Doug on the lead, mine running free, his face was a picture. He just stood and looked around, couldn’t believe all these other dogs in all shapes, sizes and colours existed, I know most of the people where I walk and they are all wonderful with my foster pugs, it’s was a steep learning curve but it worked, Doug accepted and greeted everyone.
Not much was known about Doug’s past but it was very clear he’d never been socialised and probably shut outside for long periods, because of this he didn’t know what to do to interact with people, he was extremely nervous but never once did he show fear or aggression. How they want to trust and do the right thing for us humans and how we let them down.
After a month of assessment and learning, I use learning rather than training as it’s what Doug needed, to learn to be a pug. Meanwhile the search was on for his adoptive home.
We found one we thought would be perfect and after several phone calls, I took Doug to his new home. It’s always hard to see them go off on a new adventure and I do worry about them, but in this case, it was a match made in heaven, so off he went without a backwards glance! He’s now loving life with two other pugs, one of which is another PDWRA rescue. Doug’s out for walks every day and sleeps on a bed at night! What more can a little pug wish for!?!
I would like to thank everyone involved, Trustees, fosterers, volunteers, transporters, adopters and fundraisers, for without the time so generously given to help these pugs there would be no PDWRA and then what would happen to pugs like Doug?!”.
~~~
~~~
~~~
by Yasmin | 19 May, 2022 | Blog, News, Pug Health
In response to the news items yesterday about the pug breed; https://news.sky.com/story/pugs-as-pets-condemned-because-of-health-issues-linked-to-extreme-body-shape-12615623
The PDWRA states:
“As one of the leading pug rescue charities, we welcome the study carried out by the Royal Veterinary College, and its findings. It highlights the health issues that we know exist in pugs that are breed related, and have a negative impact on the welfare of the pug.
We, the Pug Dog Welfare and Rescue Association, do not breed pugs, but we help people who already own pugs who wish to re-home their dog. This can be for a number of reasons, but a significant proportion are because they are unable to afford veterinary treatment.
Whilst in our care, we improve any health issues as best we can; we currently spend around £20,000 a month on veterinary bills for pugs that are in our care, and we rely solely on donations for this.
We hope the study will bring about change including controlling the unscrupulous (so called) back street breeding of dogs for sale on the internet”.
Pug Health & Wellbeing | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
Donating to Pug Dog Welfare | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 14 May, 2022 | Blog
As temperatures rise, please remember top tips for keeping your pugs cool, comfortable & safe, potentially from heatstroke.
• Ensure your dog has constant access to fresh water and shade
• Walk them in the early morning or evening, avoiding the midday/afternoon heat
• Check that the pavement or artificial grass is not too hot for your hand, hence their paws also
• Skip walks if necessary, for older, overweight dogs or those with breathing issues
• Provide cool mats or jackets. Do not rely on fans alone to keep them cool
• Never leave them unattended in a car, even in the shade or with window ajar
• Know the signs of heatstroke and seek vet advice immediately if your dog shows any symptoms
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/pug-health/
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/dog-care/warm-weather-advice
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/heatstroke-in-dogs/
http://pdsa.me/hpSh
by Yasmin | 9 May, 2022 | Blog, Fundraising
Ethel, Leonard and Rodney seen here, are promoting their Mum’s special merchandise for all pug-lovers!
Limited edition only… Why not commemorative the Platinum Jubilee, 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, with one of these exclusively designed mugs? or give as a unique gift?
£13 each, plus P&P.
A proportion of every sale goes to PDWRA & can only be bought direct, not in shops.
Also available:
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee greeting card, left blank inside for your own message £2.50 each plus P&P.
https://www.facebook.com/Absolutelybarkingillustrations
