Charity rehoming retired working dogs calls for public's help

A charity which has rehomed thousands of retired working farm dogs has called for the public’s help following a major decline in adoptions.

The Retired Working Dogs NZ Charitable Trust offers to take dogs off farmers’ hands and find new homes.

But trust president Marie-Claire Andrews told 1News they are nearing capacity and will soon have to stop accepting dogs from farms.

"If we can't find the right home for them and then they may go to the wrong home, which is a terrible thing, or it could just be a very sad one-way walk," Andrews said.

She acknowledged that rehoming dogs can be "tough for families".

"We know that cost of living crisis means that a big commitment like a dog is something that people are taking their time to think about.”

Wairarapa farmer Pru Hunter, who has been fostering dogs from the trust for nearly a decade, adopted 18-month-old Lex from a nearby farm.

The herding dog was forced to retire after a cow kicked her and broke her leg.

“It was really uplifting, the fact you could change dogs’ lives by just giving them an opportunity to just have a rest and just take a big breath,” Hunter said.

"They're so beautifully trained and they're so grateful – they are just a wonderful animal to have as a pet."

Farmer John Booth, who has been working with the charity for years, said many people are unaware of how difficult it can be to keep a retired dog on a farm.

"Not really that great because when all the other dogs head on out to work, if it's left behind, it's not a good scene for them," he explained.

Hunter agreed, saying them become "very distressed if they see all their mates go off to work and they can't go 'cause they do love their job".

Dog trainer Kelly Wolfe told 1News that retired working dogs make ideal pets.

“They’ve been bred for thousands of years working with people and herding stock. So, they’re bred to really respond to people and want to please,” Wolfe said.

Andrews said they believe there's a working dog for many types of families.

"Every dog is different, and we really want to just find the right family for them," she said.

Dogs available for adoption through the Retired Working Dogs Trust can be seen here.