by Sophie Peacock
In 2006 I was working as a Dog Warden and Animal Welfare Officer for Coventry City Council and Stratford-on-Avon District Council - I was collecting stray dogs on a daily basis and taking them to a pound where they had 7 days for their owner to collect them. If their owner did not collect them, they would go up for rehoming. If no-one adopted them by a certain time, they would be destroyed.
Some of these dogs were only getting 10 days to find a new home as the stray population was increasing and the pound needed room to fit more in. I decided that something needed to be done to reduce the dogs being destroyed and find a better way of giving dogs a second chance at finding a new home.
In June 2006 I took on a dog that was destined for death row - he was head shy and afraid, I took him home. With nowhere to put him and with him being aggressive with my dog, I found him somewhere to stay and with help from other rescuers, was able to find him a home. With my job as an Animal Welfare Officer, lots of dogs were coming my way including abandoned puppies and RSPCA cases. I took them home and found rescues that agreed to take them on and rehome them. I am eternally grateful to the rescues that helped me during that time period.
Something seemed to be missing in what I was doing and it was the rehoming part, the rescue bit came natural to me, but I wanted to see where the animals were going and I wanted to stay in touch. In 2007 the official title of the charity - The Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Society - was born, this is often shortened to TARRS.
A kennel arrangement was made for the stray dogs to stay until they found new homes under the rescue. I set out to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome unwanted dogs, whether they were strays, abandonments or behavioural cases from owners who couldn't manage them. These animals often came to me via my dog training and behaviour company D4 Dog Training & Behaviour. I started advertising them on my website and in local papers. Eventually, I realised I had to give up D4 as I wanted to put my time into the charity and just didn’t have time to do both.
This expanded greatly over the next few years and dogs arrived all the time. All of these dogs were safe until they found new homes - we do not put dogs to sleep. Now I work for Stratford-on-Avon District Council and take in Stratford strays, abandonments, abuse cases and death row dogs from other pounds when we have room.
To compound issues, in 2009 there was a shortage of space in rescues for cats and kittens in Warwickshire. I decided to start helping cats and kittens as well and a small area was made for them.
Unfortunately in December 2009 we lost our kennels and had to re-think how the rescue would work. We now work on a foster basis and have a small network of dedicated volunteers who help us care for the animals that arrive. No one at the charity takes a salary. All the money that gets raised on fundraising events goes towards neutering, food, vet checks including de-fleaing and worming, chipping, operations and housing fees.
Future Goals
In the next 2 years, TARRS would like to raise enough funds to buy its own kennels. This is a massive task but with your help it could happen! So if you are interested in raising money to support the charity and help us carry on and expand our vital work saving these animals, please visit our sponsor and donate section.
TARRS was founded by Sophie Peacock who has 10 years working with rescue, boarding and quarantine animals. NVQ Level 2 in buisness Administration, Grooming certificate at Moreton Morrell, Distinction in Canine Psychology and Advanced Instructor Training at the Animal Care College, Microchip Implant and Dog Wardens Training at Bicton college, CNEA 2005 with Inhouse Legal Training. CRB Checked. Member of NDWA. Currently doing NVQ Level 3 in Animal Welfare and Animal Communication with Joanne Hull.
