In March 2008 Dale and I embarked on a journey across the Atlantic with my ten-year-old daughter Jacqueline in tow. Jacqueline has known rescue all her life and has a sincere heart for it. Dale frequently jokes that I am leading the foundation and we are training Jacqueline as the next generation to continue the legacy.
First we visited the crown jewel of the Dogs Trust facilities, Harefield. Located on a former 1650s working farm, the “rehoming centre” features a conference center housed in a restored barn and the original home is divided into three residences for the manager and staff. While researching various groups I was impressed with the Dogs Trust for their shelter design and their adoption success (10,500+ dogs adopted out last year). They do not believe in euthanizing healthy dogs.
• The Harefield rehoming centre features the single herringbone design. Kennels are set on the diagonal and do not face other kennels. Each kennel houses one to two dogs each. The herringbone arrangement allows for a quiet facility where one can actually hear the music piped in to the halls.
• The glass front kennel idea came via the San Francisco SPCA. Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust CEO loved the concept. The glass keeps stress down among the dogs, creates a pleasant atmosphere for the potential adopter and the Dogs Trust is able to control the first contact between the pet and the person. Generally when people see a dog, the dog jumps on the fence and the person pets the dog thereby reinforcing the jumping behavior. The glass partition keeps the initial excitement down and the dogs are very calm.
• Adoption success is derived from multiple adoption centers (17); positive attitude and marketing with ‘new beginnings” in mind; and careful screenings to increase success and decrease returns of pets. The return rate is 10-11% yet ideally they would like the numbers to decrease to 5-6%.
An aerial photo from architectural boards showing the historic farm and the new facility.
The 1650s house is divided into three flats used as living quarters for staff.
The 1650s barn to the left has been renovated into a veterinary clinic/operating theatre and barn to the right has been rehabilitated for conference space/tea room. The pond is the original dike that went with the farm.
The 1650s barn rehabilitated into a tea room and conference space with a wonderful handicap accessible ramp incorporated into the landscape.
The spacious lobby of Dog’s Trust with highlighted boards of “sticky”dogs
The kennels overlook the courtyard and it is used for greet and meet between the people and pets.
The puppy play area can be hosed down and the playhouse gives additional space for the puppies to frolic.
June 26, 2008 at 2:08 am
Dale and Tracey,
This is very interesting. Some great concepts.
Look forward to meeting you,Tracey. I guess you saw our 700 animal puppy mill bust in TN today. Will be leaving for that on Friday, but would love to meet you if time allows one day soon.