The term ‘rescue dog’ applies to a dog that, through no fault of its own, needs a new home or a sanctuary to allow it healing time. It may be a stray or have been abused or neglected but it is a dog that needs taking in to be given love, care, respite and a future. The Freedom of Spirit Trust will do all it can to help these dogs in need for they are, in fact, true rescues.
Dogs in need of rehoming.

Although these dogs need a home, they are not homeless. Many of them are already in a family environment but their owners are trying to rehome them for any one of various reasons. It may be that their circumstances have changed due to relocation, family problems etc., in which case the Trust may be able to help. But in many cases the dogs are causing a problem due to bad manners and unruly behaviour. They are out of control but are not in need of rescuing because they already have a home, so it is unlikely that an application to the Trust to take them in would be successful. However, one of the major functions of the Freedom of Spirit Trust is education so, even if we cannot rehome or take in such a dog, we will help with advice whenever possible. With advice & education for the dog the need for rehomeing may even be eliminated.

Unfortunately, many rescue kennels cannot always take in dogs that are in real need of shelter, as their kennels are already full of dogs that have not been abused but had owners wanting to rehome them. While it may not always be easy to find a dog an alternative home, it is often far kinder for the owners to try to find a home themselves rather than put their dog into a kennel. A kennel environment can be stressful for any dog, but Border Collies are highly sensitive and become very stressed in such conditions. It is pitiful to see some dogs that have become hyper, nervous or rebellious simply by being in a kennel surrounded by other dogs barking and full of stress. Sometimes owners don’t have a choice, but whenever there is a chance to keep one dog that needs a new home, or that could be re-trained, out of a rescue kennel, then that is one kennel left free for a dog that is homeless and in need of care.