ANIMALS IN NEED

Meet the ‘Rommies’ looking for love

Hundreds of dogs find themselves in the care of Animals in Need (AIN) every year, and some of them have quite the journey before they arrive. Beki Kelly is usually on hand to greet them. Pulse's Sammy Jones discovered more about the dogs and their rehabilitation.

Aplentiful number of pooches wind up in Northamptonshire from faraway climes every year, with many coming from Romania – staff at AIN affectionately refer to these 'ruff' lads and lasses as Rommies.

“The journey can be pretty traumatic for the dogs, who will have been stuck in a van for a couple of days,” says Beki, one of those responsible for settling the animals into their safe haven upon arrival.

“Many of them won't have travelled anywhere before, so after such a long journey they are extremely nervous and bewildered.”

Romania is a country with relatively few animal welfare laws, but high numbers of street dogs, a population that began increasing rapidly when the country was industrialised; families were forced to abandon houses for apartment blocks which didn't allow pets.

As a consequence, many animals were abandoned, the majority of them un-neutered.

Street dogs are treated like pests, and culled just the same.

Many shriek in fear when they are rounded up by control officers using catch poles, and, just like us, they struggle to let go of bad memories: “We see the after effects of that treatment with many of our Rommies terrified of leads or a tightening feeling around their neck, which has been caused by the stress of their capture,” Beki told me.

In Romania, the captured dogs face overcrowded conditions, and a lack of food and space. Their holding spaces are filthy, disease is rife and the terrible environment proves too much for some animals.

Unfortunately, those that do survive the horrifying conditions are killed if they aren't claimed within two weeks.

There are organisations trying to help, many of them operating with only a trickle of financial

backing – they run neutering schemes and try their best to provide safe rescues for our canine friends.

And one of those making space, and making a difference is our Little Irchester centre.

But it's not a simple task and the animals often come with nervous dispositions having endured much trauma.

“We ensure that adopters of Rommie dogs attach GPS trackers to their collars due to the potential flight risk that some of the dogs pose,” Beki said, “Something as small as a bang can cause them to panic and bolt....a couple of incidents in particular spring to mind; Ed had only been with his new family for a week when a loud noise during a walk caused him to slip his harness and set off across fields. Luckily, I was able to find him within the hour before anything bad happened.

“Unfortunately, the same can't be said for another of our dogs who escaped from the front door of her home after 10 days,” Beki recalled, “As her main caregiver in the kennels,

Boots

The current Rommie dogs up for adoption

As we don't have the background information for many of the dogs, it's difficult to know what they have been through. Some have been born and raised in shelters and don't know anything else, which means adjusting to life in the 'outside world' can take a little longer.

I went to look for Charlotte, but we were unable to locate her and she spent a whole year outside before an amazing team of dedicated professionals managed to capture her.

“Back at the kennels she remembered me almost immediately and returned to the beautiful, affectionate dog she was before.”

It's understandable that the charity asks potential new families to ensure they have secure 6ft fencing and the use of slip leads, “to help reduce the risk” of any issues.

Despite the terrible times ensured by many of these beautiful animals, once they are afforded the time to decompress and settle in at AIN, the majority are very receptive and recover well.

But there are always cases that are that more difficult and upsetting.

“Some dogs arrive having had such a traumatic life that they have deep set

Jules Dash

After months of consistent work Frankie enjoys his first walk. “I thought Frankie might have been too traumatised to ever be rehomed. He was never aggressive, only fearful, and when he came to us back in October 2019 it took months for him to want to be anywhere near us, but through consistent positive training we built up trust very slowly. Throughout lockdown I would spend time every day working with him, and we would see slow progress until he finally let us stroke him. Next we could walk him around the site until eventually he built up enough confidence to walk to the park. Frankie was re-homed in June 2020 to a wonderful couple who accepted him for the dog he was. We have had updates telling us how amazing he is doing and how loved he is. I’m so thankful we were able to help him on his journey to a happy life.”

If you have space in your family for a Rommie, contact animals-in-need.org

emotional and behavioural difficulties, and The charity does get the occasional eight-year-old Ray was one of those. He came criticism for taking in dogs from foreign to us last year, and arrived with two ear tags climes when there are 'more than enough and a terrified look in his eye. Rather than needing homes here.' being aggressive towards people, he tried his How do you answer that negativity? best to stay as far from us as possible to show “I would say to them, 'a dog is a dog',” Beki us he wasn't a threat,” Beki remembers. says, “It isn't their fault where they were

“I spent time sitting with him to gain his trust born. It shouldn't matter what country a dog and although he started to settle into kennel is from – we have saved a life by offering life, the trauma of his past was too much to that dog a chance they may never have overcome and he didn't want to be touched...” had before.

Rehoming Ray would be a challenge too far, “We take in 100s of dogs from this but no-one ever gives up on an animal at AIN, country every year, and sometimes we are and Ray found a home with the sanctuary in a position to be able to help those from managers where he is able to feel safe and Romania too. secure and need never worry about “We have taken in dogs in where his next meal is coming extremely poor condition, with from. Among his 'housemates' is matted fur and mange, fellow Rommie Alfred. and we have taken in

“As we don't have the dogs before who have background information been shot or have old for many of the dogs, it's fractures or broken difficult to know what bones that have never they have been through. been seen to. Some have been born and “I would ask anyone raised in shelters and don't who claims to be a know anything else, which dog lover to see the means adjusting to life in deplorable conditions the 'outside world' can take a some of these dogs come little longer. from and then say no.”

“Others have been pets before and It comes as no surprise at all slip back into that way of life easily. Some that Beki has a massive soft spot for the know how to walk on a lead, others don't. Rommie dogs. Traffic can be very scary, and loud noises and “It is amazing that they can still trust us sudden quick movements can be a trigger. after everything they've been through, and

“Others are so well adjusted...it really does I love building that trust with them,” she vary significantly.” says, “It's the small things you cherish,” she

Nearly all the dogs that arrive from Romania smiles, “The first time they initiate contact are mixed breed: “It can be tricky to even with you, even it if it just a nudge or a sniff, guess what type, but mixed breeds have some is a baby step in the right direction. Patience massive perks in terms of health as they won't and commitment is the key. be subject to conditions that often plague “They are so grateful to be safe and loved, pedigree dogs,” Beki says. which is so endearing.”

Alfred lives with the managers Beki with Geoff - a Rommie who is currently available for adoption

> Animals in Need hosts its Charity Dog Show at Brodie Lodge Playing Field in Flore on Sunday, May 29, between 11am and 3pm. Classes will include Handsome Dog, Prettiest Pooch, Dog that looks most like their humans and Best Veteran. For more details please call 01933 278080.

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