Border Collie Rescue is a non-profit organisation, which was started in
1997 by dedicated individuals who care for this very special breed. Approximately 400
Border Collies are re-homed in Gauteng per year. Please
note that this web site is the home page of the South African Border Collie
Rescue organisation (Gauteng). See our Border Collie
Links page to contact other Border Collie Rescue organisations in other
parts of the world. Border Collies are very intense, lively dogs and are
also one of the most intelligent dog breeds. Because of this they appear regularly
in television advertisements, films and at working dog demonstrations, e.g.
by the Police. This creates the impression with the general public that these
dogs make obedient pets and as a result Border Collie numbers have increased
significantly in the last 10 -15 years. Where Border Collies used to be working
farm dogs, we now get more and more Border Collies in urban areas, many of
which are acquired as pets. Because of their high energy levels and intelligence,
Border Collies get frustrated and bored easily and this manifests itself
in what many owners consider unacceptable behavior. Such behavior can include
excessive barking, howling, digging up plants and irrigation systems, escaping
from the yard, chasing cars and herding children and other pets. Border Collies
may also nip at young children. As a result of this kind of behavior many
Border Collies are abandoned or end up at animal shelters.
Our Aims
Border Collie Rescue attempts to address the problem of abandoned Border
Collies in the following ways:
- By educating the public about the breed;
- By finding adoptive homes for abandoned and improperly
placed dogs;
- By rehabilitating abused Border Collies
- By raising funds to cover the costs of sterilization of
dogs, advertising, kenneling fees, transport; phone bills and veterinary
fees.
Border Collie Rescue also provides an invaluable service to many Border
Collie owners who, through no fault of their own, can no longer care for their
dog.
How to care for your Border Collie
If you feel that you still want to take up the responsibility of becoming
the owner of one of these special dogs, here are some tips that would assist
you.:
- Before you decide to get a Border Collie, think whether
it will fit in with your lifestyle and whether you are willing to
put in the time and effort this breed requires. Think twice if you
live in an apartment, townhouse, have small children or have a busy
schedule. Talk to owners of Border Collies and learn all you can
about the breed.
- Consider adopting a rescue dog. We have a number of wonderful
dogs looking for good homes. Past experience has shown that rescued
Border Collies bond closely with their adoptive homes. Adopting an
adult dog also has some advantages; for example you have a very good
idea what the dog will look like and of what its temperament will
be. Some of the dogs are still quite young. Although some
may have behavioral problems, many are perfectly normal dogs.
- If you buy a puppy make sure it is healthy. Puppies can
inherit conditions such as eye disease, hipdysplasia and epilepsy
from their parents. A responsible breeder will not breed dogs with
inheritable disorders. You should ask the breeder whether an inheritable
problem exists in the bloodline of the parents. You can also contact
your veterinarian for more information. The puppy should also
be free of parasites and appear active and healthy. Look out for
puppies with any discharge from the eyes or nose or dirty ears. Puppies
should not be fearful or aggressive. It is always a good idea to
meet the parents. Puppies are ready to leave their mother at 7-8
weeks of age.
- Dogs should be inoculated against infectious diseases such
as distemper, parainfluenza, parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis
and rabies. Puppies are inoculated at 6-8 weeks with follow up inoculations
at approximately 12 and 16 weeks and thereafter the dog must get an
annual booster. Dogs should also be kept free of parasites as
ticks in particular can cause fatal illness. There is no vaccine
against biliary fever, caused by ticks and therefor it is essential
that your Border Collie be kept free of ticks. There are some excellent
products available nowadays that do exactly that.
- Feed your dog a high quality dog food recommended by your
veterinarian. It is best to buy your dog food from your vet; supermarkets
stock cheaper food, but remember that you get what you pay for.
- Provide your Border Collie with lots of exercise and mental
stimulation. It is certainly not good enough to keep a Border Collie
in a yard all day, even if it is a spacious yard. Border Collies enjoy
chasing a ball, jogging, swimming, long walks and your company. Border
Collies need a job to do, even if it is only chasing a ball.
You can get involved in all sorts of interesting activities with
your Border Collie, e.g. herding, agility, obedience, flyball and
search and rescue. Your vet will be able to tell how to get in touch
with some of these clubs.
How can you help?
Looking after these rescued dogs is very expensive. They have to be fed
and need medical attention - this costs money. There are also administrative
expenses. Border Collie Rescue is run by volunteers who give their time and
their own money without receiving any compensation. We would love to build
our own kennels but at the moment we simply do not have the money for that.
You can assist us by helping with fundraising, assessing potential homes,
giving a foster home to a Border Collie or by making a financial contribution.
Cheques should be made out to Border Collie Rescue and sent to PO Box 97125
Petervale, 2151 or paid into our bank account at Standard Bank in Randburg,
account no: 226387399.
For more information contact:
Irene Thompson, telephone number: 0824129969 or
Julie Morris on mwmoz@mweb.co.za
and (c) 082-887-9668 or (011) 395 2259
Karen Grey on karen.grey@absamail.co.za
and (011) 452 7769
Dogs needing support
Dogs needing new homes
Border Collie Links