Richelle: female dog to adopt

Richelle is a medium sized crossbreed aged around five to six years old. Richelle is one of the most sad and broken dogs that I’ve met in a while, and I really do meet a lot of sad and broken dogs. She was cowered in a corner of a pen when we visited the Botosani public shelter in January. Her body language was absolute hopelessness and despair. She flinched and whimpered at every touch and in the days we were there we never once saw her hold her head up. We brought Richelle to the UK at the earliest opportunity and she is now in a UK foster home. Her fear is of humans and she continues to act like she’s about to be beaten at any moment …. even when she is approaching people she knows and likes for a fuss. Richelle will now wag her tail when she sees people she knows but the whimpering and fear when human hands make contact holds true. She is at complete conflict between enjoying the fuss and expecting the worst at any second. I honestly don’t think I have seen such a sad post trauma response. I don’t know what has happened to her in her past and I don’t think I want to but it’s blatant that she has suffered a severe level of abuse. Richelle is going on walks and beginning to take an interest but she is afraid of being out in open spaces and likes the security of a path or somewhere that she feels she is not completely exposed. Her fitness level is building gradually but her confidence will take much longer. She is a work in progress and anyone taking her on needs to be prepared to take the time to unravel the damage done by the evil humans of her past. Richelle can live with or without other dogs. She has no fear of dogs whatsoever and can hold her own when defending a bed or food lol. She is fine with cats. Richelle will need a quiet home environment, out of towns or cities. She will continue to show moments and episodes of these pitiful behaviours for some time but with love and patience she can live a happy and fulfilled life and the moments of peace and happiness will outweigh the episodes of fear. I wish that we could erase the horrors of her past, but all we can do is try and get her past them and show her the other side of humans.

Richelle fostered Norwich Norfolk.

If you are interested please message or call between 9am to 5pm Mon – Fri or 9am to 4pm Sat. Tel 07788251197 / 07899844524.

Our adoption fee is £480 for un-neutered puppies with a £100 rebate when you provide proof of neutering, £380 for neutered puppies and adult dogs, Reduced fees £100-200 for seniors over 10.

Adoption Policy

When you adopt a Safe Rescue dog, you MUST use a slip lead. This will keep your dog safe: your new dog will be nervous and will not trust you, and you will not know which situations might upset your dog. If your dog panics, then a slip lead is the only way to prevent your dog from escaping (many dogs can escape from a collar and/or harness). It will take AT LEAST 3-6 months for your dog to settle-in and for you to know your dog fully (longer for nervous dogs). The slip lead must ALWAYS be used during this settling-in period.

Even after your dog is settled, it is safest to use the slip lead in situations where your dog may become scared (e.g. visiting new places, around unfamiliar people, at the vet), and it situations where unexpected triggers might happen (e.g. around bonfire night). Nervous dogs may always need to wear a slip-lead as a back-up safety measure.

The slip lead is a safety device and must NEVER be used as a training tool. Using the lead to apply pressure to the dog’s neck is damaging. If your dog pulls on the lead, then we can advise you on training methods that avoid harm.

Once your dog is settled, you may want to consider using a harness (together with the slip lead) if your dog is comfortable with being handled when it is fitted. Most harnesses are not escape-proof, but harnesses with a strap behind the ribcage (e.g. Ruffwear Webmaster or Perfect Fit Harnesses) are safer.

Retractable / extendable leads must never be used on our dogs.

Adopted dogs must be collected from the rescue and transported straight home in a crate.

Fences and gates must be 5ft min & secure. All dogs are vaccinated, microchipped and neutered (unless the dog is too young to be neutered).