Agria’s support for disabled animals

(Image courtesy of Blind Dog Rescue UK)

Animal welfare is the foundation of Agria’s ethos – to ensure that all our animals live their best possible lives no matter what their circumstances.

Blind Dog Rescue UK

Blind Dog Rescue UK was founded by a veterinary nurse, and runs solely on donations to save canine victims of abuse, neglect, disease and trauma who have been left blind or partially sighted. Much of their work is across Europe in Romania, Greece, Spain, Bulgaria, Serbia, Ireland and Cyprus where there isn’t the infrastructure to cope with strays and unwanted pets. 

These poor dogs end up in rough shelters with little or no facilities and expertise, just to keep them off the streets. In often “deplorable” conditions, many dogs die from starvation, disease or injuries acquired in transit or in the shelter. The blind or partially sighted are even more vulnerable, and so BDRUK focuses their initial efforts on getting these dogs quickly released and brought into their care.

(Above image of Chilli, courtesy of Blind Dog Rescue UK)

The dogs may have been deliberately blinded, injured in a road traffic accident, or it may be the result of an untreated disease like glaucoma. After a veterinary assessment, they are placed in a BDRUK foster home, where lovely people help rescued dogs begin their rehabilitation, hopefully, leading to finding their forever home.

Although they have been through various forms of trauma, most of the rescued dogs show an “incredible capacity for forgiveness and love”.  Some dogs never having had a home or a family, a toy, nor even knowing how to play a game. The foster family compiles a profile of the dog’s personality, likes and dislikes to decide their perfect home. 

BDRUK has a page of ideas for helping blind dogs adjust to their new home and disability; games adapted to their needs to build confidence and bonding; and ways to make life easier for a blind dog to navigate.  Their trustees are all owners of blind or partially sighted dogs with a wealth of knowledge between them that they are delighted to share with newly adopted families.

They really are “The kind leading the blind.”

Wonky Pets Rescue

Wonky Pets Rescue is another independent charity Agria partners with a much wider brief taking in pigs, cats, rabbits, alpacas, chickens, dogs, sheep, goats and chinchillas, specialising in those animals with physical, medical or psychological special needs.

They try to find loving forever homes for all their animals, but those deemed unsuitable for rehoming spend the rest of their lives being lovingly cared for at Wonky Pets Rescue as they operate a strict non-destruct policy. This could be for a variety of reasons: medical issues; behavioural problems resulting from trauma or abuse; and some are very old, their owners having died, so they need somewhere safe to live out their lives in peace and comfort.

(Above image of Rufus, courtesy of Wonky Pets Rescue)

Based in South Derbyshire, Wonky Pets Rescue is another charity run by volunteers, dependent on donations and fundraising. They have an energetic group of stalwarts but, like BDRUK, they are always in need of more volunteers for fostering, fundraising, sponsoring, adopting, donating, and promoting their animals and work.  

The more generous and kind-hearted people in the team, the more lives they can save. “Fostering is extremely rewarding, seeing an animal blossom and playing a part in preparing them for their happy new life is an amazing feeling.”

As partners of Agria, BDRUK and Wonky Pets Rescue’s rehomed cats and dogs are waved off with their new families and 5 weeks free insurance, “As a responsible Animal Rescue Centre we know the importance of pet insurance. It can provide a means to pay for vet’s bills and other unexpected costs.”