Hi all,

We have friends who already has a little girly Springer and have decided the time is right to add to their family with another, older Springy.

They have been in contact with a rescue of some sort in Dorset (from his account of his difficult dealings with them I get the distinct impression they are not a springer specific rescue) and have now travelled all the way down there more than once to find the springer on their website, that the rescue knew they were on their way to see, has been reserved for someone else. The rescue refuse to keep their details on their records to let them know when they get a springer in but just tell them to keep an eye on their website - so they are becoming quite frustrated. I wonder if the rescue were hoping that if they could get them through their door they might take a different dog from them - indeed, last time they went down there they came away with 2 more cats (they already had 2!)!!!!!

They didn't realise that there are some fantastic springer specific rescues out there - and I wondered the best contacts to point them in the direction of - they are based here in Bristol but I know they wouldn't mind a bit of a travel to find the right dog for their family - especially if they know it's not going to be a fool's errand.

What do you suggest would be the best points of contact for them?

Thanks for any help

ESSW have two co-ordinators very close to Bristol, if they want to email me then I'll send them an application for a springer pack and then get them to return it to there most local co-ordinator and then we can arrange a home visit to ascertain what sort of dog is suitable for them, is that easy and simple enough?

We make no promises about them getting a specific dog because we don't like to let people down but we do let them know as soon as we have a Springer we think is suitable for them and get them to come and visit asap so the dog gets rehomed quickly, subject to dog and people both being assessed of course.

I'm Selina's Bath and district contact for ESSW and would be happy to try to help sort them out with a new family member if they're on my patch

Might just add also that I saw Holly Hedge animal sanctuary in Bristol have had some springers for rehoming recently.

PS If they are on my patch and we get the paperwork going quickly that would be good then I can homecheck them before I go on holiday a week on Friday ...

PPS Are they in Filton area too? If so I can do that!

See, how's that for service.
Thanks Jo

Many thanks for the quick response - I'll forward your e-mail addresses to our friends and leave them to take the next step.

Many thanks

Just to say it is not unusual for general rescue places not to keep records of people looking for a specific breed.

I was in contact with my local rescue for over a year and each time they had a springer, when I phoned it was either reserved or taken by whoever was visiting the kennels at that particular time, even if they had only come in to have a general look. They did not make any effort to get in touch with those they knew were waiting for a springer.

It was a case of first come, first served.

Thank goodness for sites like this.

Cath