2013 has been the biggest year yet for SHAK, and the support we have received from you has been nothing short of magnificent, so on behalf of all our dogs, thank you.
As we start a new year everyone at SHAK is preparing for continued evolution, and the launch of our "Change Lives" campaign.
A few years ago we made the decision to no longer be the typical rehoming charity, and instead concentrate our time, money and resources on providing sanctuary for the dogs that need it the most..... The abused, mistreated and neglected. Today our beliefs on this are even stronger as the demand for a safe haven seems to be getting even greater. Therefore it is vital to make you aware that we DO NOT TAKE DOGS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. We deal only with councils, vets and some other trusted charities, prioritising those who need us the most.
The last couple of years too has seen a very special group of people to come together to form our team. This work is as heartbreaking as it is uplifting, and you have to be very strong to survive in this job. Working so closely with the individuals we have, using all of our time and skills to make such special bonds with our tortured souls, means that we no longer take on new volunteers at the kennels. Likewise the treatment and torture our dogs have been subjected too means that strangers prove to be too daunting, and as we respect the kennels as their home, The Rescue Place is not open to the public. We appreciate your cooperation in this, and therefore we have designated drop off points around Tyne and Wear and Northumberland for any very appreciated donations.
The aim of this work is to provide rehabilitation, environmental enrichment, physical and mental stimulation for our dogs and to make their lives as full and normal as they would if they had homes to call their own. After such work some of our dogs are ready to go on our "Forever Foster" scheme where we look for a very specialised home to continue the dogs development where the emphasis will be on providing the dog with a stable environment, appropriate diet, positive socialisation, good physical exercise and participation in training classes or a dog activity such as agility or flyball whilst offering comprehensive support and advice from our forever foster team. To make the transition as easy as possible for both the dog and new fosterers, we do not rehome any of our dogs with children unless we have conclusive history that the dog is used to such an environment.
After the success of the Jam Jar Army campaign, 2014 sees us launch our "Change Lives" project to create awareness of "another option" rather than a vets needle, and of course to raise the essential funding and food donations that makes our work possible.
"Change Lives" means exactly that. You can help change the lives of the dogs with nothing, by donating food at one of our drop off points listed below, organise a sponsored event to raise funds, help by donating on one of our special appeals or simply save your small change and hand it into Taylors Newsagents at Bongate Within, Alnwick or the fundraising team every last Saturday of the month at Alnwick Market (from Easter) or at any other of our fundraising events that will be listed on our website (www.shak.org.uk) Every penny or tin of food really does count, and we desperately need your support to help us continue caring for the 60+ dogs in our care!
Thank you once again for your support, and please remember, your kindness really CAN "Change Lives."
Our Drop Off Points Are:
Pets At a Home, Cramlington.
Taylor's Newsagents, Alnwick.
Moorview Vets, Backworth.
Sainsburys, Alnwick.
Co-op, Amble.
Pride Of Northumbria, Amble.
Whitley Bay Pet Supplies, Whitley Bay.
Carlton's Feed Merchants, Seaton Delaval.
Whitley Bay Pet Supplies, Whitley Bay.
Carlton's Feed Merchants, Seaton Delaval.
Carlton's Feed Merchants, Benton.
And please keep a look out for our "Change Lives" Collection Tins.
