by Yasmin | 28 Oct, 2022 | Blog, Rescue Stories
While we followed Delilah’s pups progress, starting their adventures in their new homes, many of you have asked how Delilah is doing. We reported that she may need BOAS and to be spayed, when she was strong enough and both procedures took place last week.
We know how worrying it is whenever our pugs go through surgery, and there was an anxious 24 hours afterwards when her recovery required assistance. Thankfully she pulled through and is now at home doing really well with her wonderful foster Mum and resident pug, Doug, who looks like he could be Delilah’s forever brother!
“Delilah’s improved massively this week”, her foster Mum says, “She’s resumed walks and her breathing is fine”.
We couldn’t wish for more for her, could we?!
Delilah’s previous post: Delilah’s Puppies doing well! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 20 Oct, 2022 | Blog, News
We need Volunteer Area Coordinators (VACs)! They are the backbone of the Charity, helping to coordinate between pugs being surrendered, and finding their new homes.
Here is an interview with Paula Parke: Volunteer Area Coordinator.
Paula, how did you start volunteering for the PDWRA?
I have been active in dog, small animal, and farm animal rescue for most of my life. I got my first pug in 2009 and fell in love with the breed. In 2011 I got my second pug they have been my constant companions ever since. In 2018 a change in my personal circumstances meant I was able to consider volunteering again and whilst looking at options I came across Pug Dog Welfare online and decided to apply. Over the years I have lost track of how many pugs I have fostered or placed in new homes and along the way I have acquired two more lovely girl pugs as long-term fosters. Seeing the pugs go to new adoptive homes is so rewarding, brings so much pleasure, and makes all the hard work worthwhile.
What does a Volunteer Coordinator do?
A Volunteer Coordinator (VAC) essentially helps coordinate public interaction with the charity in the region they look after. This ranges from taking calls from people surrendering their pugs wanting to hand in their pugs or asking for advice, coordinating taking in placing the pugs into new homes, doing organising, taking part in, and approving or rejecting home checks results for potential adopters, and organizing fosterers, as well as managing transporters and other volunteers, and overseeing and approving payments for vet care to them other local volunteers. The VAC is also responsible for keeping the trustees updated on activity in their areas and helping to promote the achievements and needs of the charity by contributing towards our social media and other publications.
What makes a good Volunteer Coordinator?
A good Volunteer Coordinator must be dedicated, committed, passionate, and have excellent organization skills since they generally manage more than one multiple pug rehoming cases and volunteers at any one time. In addition, they must have exceptional communication and listening skills to handle the needs of people who maybe are going through a sensitive time, either surrendering or taking on a new pug. Flexible working including some weekends and team working skills are necessary attributes also.
Who does a Volunteer Coordinator work with?
Apart from their own local applicants, volunteers, vet services, other dog rescue charities. A Volunteer Coordinator works with their PDWRA counterparts across the UK and gets support from the trustees and Lead VAC coordinator Paula Parke and Vet advisors Helen and Malcolm McKee.
How much time does it take?
This very much depends on the amount of time a volunteer can give and the volume of demand for PDWRA help in the area they cover. Most VACs give around 5-6 hours a week, but this can vary enormously depending on how much people want to get involved. If you are interested, why not have a chat with us about what is involved?
You can email the charity on: secretary@nullpugwelfare-rescue.com
Plus, there is also more information on the role at: Vacancies | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
You can email the charity on: secretary@nullpugwelfare-rescue.com
Plus, there is also more information on the role at: Vacancies | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 20 Oct, 2022 | Blog, News, Pug Health
Hello everyone!
My name is Helen McKee. My husband Malcolm, and I are retired vets and we have been voluntary Veterinary Advisors for the Charity since 2018.
We set up our own Referral practice over our careers; Malcolm was previously a specialist orthopaedic surgeon and neurologist, whereas my background is both primary small animal, and latterly, Governmental work in Animal Health and Welfare.
We carry out the role of Veterinary Advisors for the PDWRA as we are both passionate about the health and welfare of pugs, who, through man’s making, have made pugs very prone to a large number of health issues.
In each of our newsletters we will discuss a particular health problem associated with pugs. Here, I am going to discuss the rather sensitive topic of a pug’s weight.
When a pug is overweight, it becomes a health issue in itself. It also exacerbates health issues that pugs are prone to including breathing, spine and leg problems. Obesity in dogs is also now classed as a welfare issue by DEFRA under their welfare legislation.
It is very easy to overfeed a pug; with their soulful eyes and appetite like a Labrador, they can trick you in to feeding them more than they need. Pugs are only little dogs and actually only need a small amount of food. Recommendations on the back of dog food are a guide only and pugs often need less than recommended. Basically, if your dog is putting on weight then it is eating too much, and the amount of food needs to be reduced.
I have attached a link to an article on our website ‘Fit not Fat’ which shows the ideal weight of a pug through how it looks; it’s not about weight as such, but a Body Condition Score (BCS) which should ideally be around 5/9. As you can see by the illustrations, 5/9 is nice and slim.
FIT not FAT! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
This chart is issued by the University of Cambridge (2017 Copyright) and shows us how our pugs should look.
If your pug is kept slim, it will be so much healthier and happier!
Helen McKee (MRCVS)
by Yasmin | 19 Oct, 2022 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
The Latest News on Quinn! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
We’ve kept you updated about young Quinn, gently improving with dedicated care after his terrible start in life. Quinn’s progress, aided by your generous support! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
Since then, Quinn has experienced a lot of ‘firsts’. These include simple things like playing with toys and chewing them, going out on his own into the open space of gardens and sitting with his fosterer, Kellie’s pugs, from preferring his own company. He’s even found a slight bark!
Quinn has also moved away from hourly medication and his hormones kicked in following receipt of proper nutrition, which was a massive achievement for his little body, so he’s well enough to be neutered and have the X-rays he needs to assess his spine as he’s believed to have been kept in cramped conditions, such that he wasn’t very aware of his legs or what his body could do! 😩
For a full update on his progress and potential future needs, with latest photos, why not subscribe to our new digital newsletters? Just send an email to: subscribe@nullpdwra.org.uk
You will be included in our regular mailings and can unsubscribe at any time.
Donating to Pug Dog Welfare | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 9 Oct, 2022 | Blog, Rescue Stories
Peggy came to the PDWRA earlier this year and needed emergency surgery to remove her right eye, which was ruptured due to trauma. She was only eight weeks old!
Thanks to the PDWRA network, she was operated on within two days and recuperating with a foster family by the end of the week.
She weighed 1.1kg and needed to wear a cone so she could not scratch or infect the wound as it healed.
A few days later, she was at the house that would become her forever home, joining two PDWRA adopted pugs, and her Frenchie-pug sister.
Peggy’s recovery from her operation was smooth, and she now enjoys regular walks with her pack and weighs almost 4kg.
“Peggy is a lovely, sweet-natured if mischievous little girl who massively looks up to the older dogs.” said PDWRA volunteer, Tris, Peggy’s ‘dad.’
“She had a really traumatic week early on in her life but the network of volunteers in the PDWRA is so strong that it wasn’t going to be long before her perfect home was found. Fortunately, that’s here with us. She’s a special girl and we adore her!”.
by Yasmin | 5 Oct, 2022 | Blog, Rescue Stories
Dear Delilah delivered her gorgeous chug puppies safely once in our care.
Drawing on our national network of volunteer co-ordinators, transporters, fosterers and adopters, here they are now!
They were in the very best hands throughout, each bringing the greatest joy to their new, lucky PDWRA families.
or
If you would like to adopt, please go to:
or foster:
or
If you would like to volunteer for PDWRA, please go to:
by Yasmin | 25 Sep, 2022 | Blog, Rescue Stories
Millie and Tia were adopted by Sue days before her own Mum unexpectedly passed away. She believes ‘they’ rescued her as much as the other way around. Sue also wanted to share the hugely positive experience of adopting a blind pug.
Sue says:
” I just wanted to share our love for Tia, our beautiful rescue pug who is blind and has so many uncomfortable medical issues including skin irritation. Such an optimistic, positive, happy little pug who loves nothing more than to snuggle.
Unlike sighted pugs she doesn’t look at us which is so sad and often heads in completely the wrong direction – she is also facing life without Millie her fellow rescue who sadly passed earlier in the summer. We all miss Millie so much but for Tia she was her eyes and confidence … however little T as we call her, soldiers on and we hold her ever closer.
Blindness is often avoidable which makes it all the more sad but adopting a blind pug for us has been a joyous experience and this beautiful little character has shown us so many positive lessons in life that the honour to have her is all OURS!.”
Please see their original story at: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/millie-tia-having-the-best-retirement/
Millie & Tia having the best retirement! | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 9 Sep, 2022 | Blog, News
During this period of National mourning, the PDWRA wishes to express its sadness at the loss of the Queen, and to offer its thanks for her devoted and loyal service.
by Yasmin | 8 Sep, 2022 | Blog, Rescue Stories
Delilah’s 4 Puppies continue to thrive and are as active as you’d expect. Homes are being lined up for each of the puppies.
Here’s another delightful glimpse of the boy pup at 1 month old, and with his girl siblings recently.
They are Chugs! Mum Delilah is a pure pug, and we discovered that Dad was a Chihuahua. They made beautiful puppies!
Delilah’s special gifts to PDWRA, appeared a few weeks after arriving in our care!
They’re all doing really well being cared for by a very experienced puppy fosterer of ours.
In order to get Delilah to her fosterer before the birth, 4 separate pairs of wonderful PDWRA volunteers drove and handed her over across the country to her final destination.
We couldn’t be prouder or more grateful to everyone involved in the logistics and the volunteers who transport for us typically during the weekends.
Delilah was surrendered to PDWRA as in her home here was fighting between all the dogs, plus there were concerns for her about BOAS despite already having had surgery for it.
Unfortunately, Delilah became unwell soon after coming into our care and our vet discovered to everyone’s surprise that she was pregnant!
Everyone was prepared that she might not be able to cope with a natural delivery due to her breathing, but she did it! … Just a few weeks later 4 puppies were born, 3 girls arrived safely in quick succession followed later by a boy.
Mother and pups are doing really well in the care of a very experienced PDWRA foster home.
To find out how Delilah’s getting on: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/update-on-delilah/
Anyone wishing to adopt from us, please apply via:
by Yasmin | 3 Sep, 2022 | Blog, Rescue Stories, Fundraising
Quinn is unrecognisable, thankfully! What a transformation from when he first came to us! This is the beautiful pug that he was always meant to be and also a great reminder of why we all do what we do at PDWRA!
It’s late October and Quinn is well enough now, to be neutered and have the X-rays he needs to assess his spine in relation to his mobility difficulties. His spine is looking ok, though they have found hip dysplasia, so we’ll learn to what extent later on and get an understanding of how this will affect a young dog. He had his nares widened too and an overnight stay was required for observation.
Quinn has experienced a lot of ‘firsts’ since he arrived in foster, which include simple things like playing with toys, chewing them, going out on his own to the garden space and sitting with his foster mum Kellie’s other pugs, after previously preferring his own company, plus he’s even found a small bark!
He has now moved away from hourly medication and his hormones have kicked in, getting a little humpy with his companion PDWRA girl, (his hormones working was a massive achievement). He’s enjoying being near the sounds of other dogs at his fosterer’s day care, seeing sand and the sea. His face was a picture when he stood in seaweed! He coped with the “magic” sliding doors at the shops. These are just a few of the amazing things he’s experiencing.
Only now is he able to use his body as he should and he’s comfortable enough to have jumped onto the sofa for the first time to snuggle with his two pug companions.
Quinn is over a year old, though looked like a puppy due to his extreme malnourishment with physical setbacks due to his neglect and lack of proper nutrition. It’s thought that he had been kept in very cramped conditions as he could barely walk, unaware of what his legs and little body could do!
Thank goodness the vet practice he was taken to, helped for him to be surrendered to PDWRA, since then he received round the clock care. 💝🐾
He had demodectic mange which has stripped him of his fur and left him with secondary skin infections which were treated with special daily baths. His stomach was swollen due to his malnutrition but was placed on a special diet to build him up, plus he required hourly eye drops among a variety of meds, 13 in total, at regular intervals. Especially soft, made to measure tiny fleeces were made for his skin comfort.
We had such a heart-warming response to Quinn’s situation, we send our enormous THANKS for all the kind and generous donations made towards his care costs, which soon mounted up.
We were soon pleased to report that he gained weight due to his new, nutritious diet within weeks, to 5.5kg. Quinn’s medication went down to 7 types per day, with eye drops only 5 times per day and baths for his skin condition every second day. He was even well enough to get his first vaccination then!
Quinn’s hair started growing back and he’s comfortable enough to have jumped up onto the sofa for the first time, snuggle with his 2 pug companions as well as indulge a little chasing with the other boy and enjoy chewing on toys.
He’s getting plenty of behavioural training to gain confidence and make up for what he has missed out on before. Quinn’s started to enjoy his life, the way he always should have! 🐾
Anyone wishing to donate towards our ongoing vet costs can do so at:
by Yasmin | 26 Aug, 2022 | Blog
It’s International Dog Day!
Celebrated each year on 26th August, to honour the unconditional affection they give to us. Not that we need a particular day to do this!😉
It also aims to raise awareness and encourage people to adopt dogs and provide them with the best quality of life they deserve, which is at the heart of what we do at PDWRA! 💞🐾
Celebrate your dogs with us and make them feel extra special today!
by Yasmin | 19 Aug, 2022 | Blog, Rescue Stories, Fundraising
This is Quinn. It goes without saying that he has had a very rough start to life. He is over a year old though looks like a puppy as is extremely malnourished with physical setbacks due to his neglect and lack of proper nutrition.
Thank goodness the vet practice he was taken to, helped for him to be surrendered to PDWRA, since then he has had round the clock care. 💝🐾
Quinn has demodectic mange which has stripped him of his fur and left him with secondary skin infections which are being treated. He is on a special diet to build him up, plus hourly eye drops among a variety of meds at regular intervals.
Despite everything he has been through, he has so much love to give and has been nothing short of an angel whilst receiving all this treatment.
He is excelling already, in his new soft jumpers, able to trot around the garden with a few pug companions, in his new safe, loving environment.
We have already had some generous donations towards Quinn’s costs, though if you would to Donate via Paypal or Bank Transfer, please go to:
We are very grateful that Quinn can look forward to enjoying his life, to the fullest possible, healthily and pain-free, the way he always should have! 🐾
Follow Quinn’s progress posts on our Blog or Rescue Stories sections:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/blog/
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/category/rescue-stories/
by Yasmin | 16 Aug, 2022 | Blog, News, Rescue Stories
Peter was ready and waiting patiently for his adoptive home. A ten year old, full of character.
This was his advertisement and we’re delighted to say that in no time, he was home!
I would prefer to live as an only dog. I can be a bit snappy with some dogs, usually the larger variety, and don’t have the patience or inclination to live with others.
A couple, single, or family with older children would be best for me. I can get a bit grumpy around children who get in my face and space. I would need you to ensure my space is respected when children visit.
I don’t like visiting the vet and can get very grumpy when being examined.
Once I get to know you, I am very loving and affectionate. I like to be fussed and stroked. I will need to be with my people most of the time as I can become anxious when left.
I do like to chase birds and cats in the garden. I’m a helpful sort of chap.
I love to be taken out and about for short walks and adventures. I am partial to a cafe, or a pub, and generally being included.
I am house trained. What a treat!
To Apply to Adopt pugs like Peter, go to: Adoption | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association (pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk)
by Yasmin | 14 Aug, 2022 | Blog, News
We may be having our busiest year ever with nearly 200 pugs surrendered so far, to care for, and move onto suitably matched homes. If you are able to Adopt, maybe adding to your grumble or finding that special, devoted companion to love,
We always need Foster homes to be available, especially for special needs pugs and those requiring placement at short notice.
or contact your local volunteer PDWRA Coordinator if you are already registered with us. If you are, please be assured that they will be in touch when you are needed as they are extremely busy managing all aspects of the pug’s welfare during their rehoming.
Thank You, on behalf of all our Pug in Need!
by Yasmin | 11 Aug, 2022 | Blog, Rescue Stories
We introduced Delilah who brought some special gifts to PDWRA a few weeks after arriving in our care!
They’re all doing really well being cared for by a very experienced puppy fosterer of ours.
In order to get Delilah to her before the birth, 4 separate pairs of wonderful PDWRA volunteers drove and handed her over across the country to her final destination. We couldn’t be prouder or more grateful to everyone involved in the logistics.
We will be assessing Delilah’s BOAS situation once she’s weaned the pups.
Stay tuned for our next update on their progress! 🐾
by Yasmin | 10 Aug, 2022 | Blog, Rescue Stories
Thank you for all your kind enquiries. Freddie has his forever home now!
We recently introduced the loving, confident, 4yr old Freddie who is looking for his forever home in Northern Ireland. He’s such a delightful boy but is still looking!
Could you offer him this? Ideally you will be an experienced dog-owner, able to manage any pack dynamics and support him with his neurological affliction which he’s had since birth and manages perfectly well with it.
To see video of Freddie please look at our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PDWRA/
To apply to adopt, go to: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
