Country Retreat Animal Sanctuary

Hi Everyone

Just to let you know that Cornelius our goat is unwell. At this stage after the blood tests and x rays it appears that he has laminitis. It has caused his front right leg to bend and has happened over the last few weeks. So, he is on drugs and is only allowed to be on flat ground at the moment. Fingers crossed he gets better.

Also we would like to again thank everyone that has donated themselves, items such as towels etc. and of course money. Just to confirm we will continue to desex tghe dogs that have been adopted with the last dogs being desexed in December and so our final vet bills will be in Jan 2025. We thank you for your support.

Finally, we have been asked a few times but, yes, the kennels and cattery that look after owners' dogs and cats while they are away is operating as normal. Kaylee, Nat. Chloe and Shakiya will continue to look after your pets.

Thank you for all your thoughts, positive comments, and support for what we have done.

Regards Gavin and Helen

Bye Jasper now Moon

We've just said bye to Moon. His family have just picked him up and he's already making his mark - kissing and licking his new parents. Enjoy :-)

Hi everyone.

Well, the last month or so has been interesting as you all know. We have rehomed so many dogs to so many beautiful families.

We are now looking to rehome our last 4 dogs. Meet the following:

Mollys babies - Thor and Bronx. Born 6 June 2024. Both unsexed males, microchipped and Council registered. Bronx is slightly bigger than Thor. They have had their first shots for Vanguard plus 5, Lepto and Kennel Cough. They will have their Lepto and Vanguard booster tomorrow Tuesday 27th August.

Anakin Skywalker - Born May the 4th (be with you!!!!) 2024. He is desexed, microchipped but not council registered. He is fully Vaccinated with Vanquard plus 5, Lepto and Kennel Cough

Podrick - Born March 2024. He is desexed, microchipped and Council registered. He is fully Vaccinated with Vanquard plus 5, Lepto and Kennel Cough

If you would like to adopt one of these puppies, please fill out the Adoption form on our website https://countryretreatanimalsanctuary.org/ or email [email protected] for a form.

Thank you Gavin

Hi everyone - Rubi Tui now Tui and Mirabel now Stella have their forever home together. Took a lot of photos but all blurred sorry - here's the best...Thanks Gavin

Helen Update

Hi Everyone

Helen has asked me to write his post on her behalf.

She is still at the start of a long road to recovery and the closing of the Sanctuary although the right thing to do still hurts, it was her dream.

She is being supported by a local team of health workers but wants you to know she does appreciate everything that people have done and are still doing to help her. She would like to thank everyone who has wished her well, sent flowers and chocolates and although she is some way off from being able to face people, she wants you to know it has been well received and with thanks.

She hopes that in the future she will be able to personally thank people face to face but at the moment, her emotions and feelings are too raw for that.

Please take care everyone

Gavin

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Thank you for all the families that have taken on our puppies - some took two :-). Congratulations and we are sure you are going to have a great time. Oh and the odd random phot of Maddison, the birds and Ann. Sorry for the photos but I did them. (that's Gavin) 😀

Hi Everyone

We have some sad news to let tell you.

Unfortunately, Helen is not well. The last 5 years doing the rescue in particular has taken a toll on Helens, physical, emotional and mental well-being. What this means is that Helen has had to step back from running the Sanctuary and I have made the decision to not accept any more rescues and rehome the remaining dogs we have. Once these dogs have gone, the Sanctuary will be closed.

The journey we have been on started many years ago - 15+ with fostering that accumulated into our own registered Charity, running a sanctuary, starring on a TV show and with Helen being the author of a book. Sadly, this part of our journey is to end. We will always remember fondly the over 800 dogs that have been saved and rehomed.

We wish to thank all our volunteers that have helped over the years, without you, none of this would have been possible. It is impossible to say how much gratitude we have for you and what you have done.

For all our donators – big and small, a huge thank you to you too. Again, we can’t express our gratitude on how you have helped.

Also thank you to everyone who has touched our lives through this process – it’s been a privilege.

While we go through this final process, please make contact through the web site, Facebook and the Sanctuary phone 021 225 6940 or contact me on 021 140 1888.

Finally, to all the rescues out there doing it tough, we understand, sympathize and wish you well. Nothing will ever change for our animals until the right people are given the ability to monitor, fine and imprison those that are guilty of animal abuse.

We will continue to desex the current dogs that are under our care - those still here and those that have recently been adopted and so are having a final Doggy adoption day this Saturday to raise funds to clear our debts. Once all Debts are paid if there are any remaining funds these will be distributed to other rescues.

So, for one last time - we will be at

The Lift Club
24 Minnie St,
Eden Terrace,
Auckland 1021

This Saturday 17th from 9am with our remaining dogs for you to view and buy Helen's book if you wish – see you there

The business - Country Retreat for Dogs and Cats will remain open as it is a separate entity.

Please take care and look after yourself people.

Regards Gavin and Helen

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Come and meet Podrick. He is ready for his forever home and cannot wait to meet his new family. He loves to play but also a great cuddler.

Please come see us if you are looking for your new family fur baby. We have so much love to give. Please share these photos and help find us our forever homes.
You can apply online at www.countryretreatanimalsanctuary.org
Please hurry, we really want our own family to love us.

Just look how beautiful Brienne is. She is so gentle and just wants cuddles. She is quite shy at the moment and would love to find a family who can introduce her to the world and take her on adventures. She is 5 months old, will be de-sexed. Fully vaccinated and up to date with flea and worm treatments, microchipped and council registered. :)

Say hi to Electra if you are looking for a snuggly, loving dog, she is the one. She loves people and has been around children. She walks great on a lead and has basic commands. She plays well with smaller dog and just loves puppies. She just needs introducing to correctly to bigger dogs as she gets over excited and full on.
She loves to play catch and will play all day long if allowed.

Electra is fully vaccinated and up to date with flea & worm treatments, microchipped and registered and council registered, she is also desexed. Electra is 5 years old and just waiting for a family to adopted her and she will give you endless loves.

How cute is this little Dude Anakin Skywalker born the 4th May 2024. :)
He is the last of his litter who is still looking for his forever home. He is up to date with vaccinations, flea & worm treatment, he is microchipped, microchipped registered and council registered, plus he has his appointment booked and paid for to be de-sexed. All he needs to do is pack is bags and he is ready to go. :)

Just because, some more photos of our personal dogs.
These are not available for adoption :)

https://manalistrays.org/Manali_tails/the-netherlands-an-example-of-successful-stray-dog-management/?sfnsn=mo&fbclid=IwY2xjawERX0hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHWz1dRyhvzCaGOXs4NxQTMdnLbTYL0JpiNi7HGTw9E5l7JrTzo8PgV2TGw_aem_IscJRUSRA41NY49JSEJspA #:~:text=In%20the%20Netherlands%20a%20dog's,pets%20being%20treated%20much%20better

The Netherlands – An example of successful stray dog management As Manali Strays kicks off the first day of its sterilisation camp, the Netherlands enjoys a “stray dog-free” status, and has the added honour of being the first country in the world to achieve such a status. Just like India,…

This is what I wanted to do. Didn't go to plan. See Jeff our big boy. lol
None of these dogs are available for adoption, they have homes :)

What a giggle. I am always looking for new ways to find possible homes for our rescues. Today my bright idea was to do a photo shoot with the dogs catching food. I have seen photos like these online and they are hilarious. Hats off to these photographers. Most of our rescues and personal dogs just let the food hit them and they just didn't attempt to catch it. Never mind fingers crossed there are some good shots, and we can find these dogs their forever homes :)

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Check these little cuties out.
Mummy is a medium size dog she was 13kg who looked like a boarder terrier cross. Mum has the best nature and just wanted to be loved.
These pups are able for adoption and can leave after their first vaccinations and microchipping on the 1st Aug.
We believe they will be medium size like their mum.
If you would like to apply to adopt, please contact me or you can apply on line at www.countryretreatanimalsanctuary.org
Once you meet them you will just fall in love.
Criteria does apply, they do have a desexing contract to be de-sexed at six months old or younger. We will cover the de-sexing cost if you use our vets in Silverdale.
Thak you for the awesome photos Madison.

Taking some time out this afternoon.
Said no to over 30 dogs just this morning.

One desperate case I said I would try and help as the lady was so distraught and was threatening to kill the pups. I got back InTouch in less than an hour to say I would make some room by sharing dogs so I could take them.
Mel was already sorting the rooms so I could do what was needed. Too late, she said already gone. She indicated she was going to drown them so I guess she did.

A good friend from another rescue also needed help with a bad situation and I had to say no, as just couldn't help.

Such a s**t morning with rescue this morning.
I was in tears before 9.00am with things that were happening. It just went from bad to worse.

But I have to say. I have the best husband who knows me so well.
I told him I was finished for the day. He went out and bought me the cutest dressing gown to snuggle in. Filled the bed with hot water bottles and got me sushi for lunch.

Rescue sucks, you need a great support network to enable to carry on. I am so grateful for my support network who are there to catch me when things are bad.

I often get an influx of requests to take on dogs after I post the happy photos of our lovely rescues leaving. But just because dogs are getting rehomed doesn't mean I have space for more. As the pups turn into dogs they get bigger and have different requirements. A litter of ten pups can be in one room the same as adults cannot you need 3-4 rooms.

Just remember when posting comments on rescues pages there is often a lot more going on that what you hear about. Please be kind and if you cannot be kind stay quite.
Another friend who runs a different rescue has just closed her doors indefinitely. Just worn out physically and mentally.

We need to sort this out NZ if the Netherlands can do it so can we.

I often get asked what would my dream be. My dream would be not to be needed.

Sorry for the long post, I have been told people will stop following me and supporting me because of posts like this. But personally I believe it needs to be out there if how difficult it is out there trying to make a difference.

Tomorrow is another day and I'll be up fighting again tomorrow. I may even wear my dressing gown. 😊😵‍💫