All dogs rehomed in Christchurch so far this year

Monday, 20 June 2022

All lost dogs have been reunited with their owners or rehomed this year in Christchurch, with none having to be euthanised.

Christchurch Animal Management staff have picked up 2246 lost dogs from the city’s streets in 2022. Most were able to be taken straight back home by officers as they were microchipped.

Some 565 were taken back to the animal shelter, and all were either adopted or ended up back home. None were euthanised.

Christchurch City Council animal services manager Lionel Bridger said the result was like a “badge of honour”.

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If an owner cannot be found, the dogs are assessed and if their temperament is suitable, they’re put up for adoption. (File photo)

“Our team work hard with every single dog that comes through our door to make sure they either get back to their owners, or go to a loving, new home that’s the right fit for them,” Bridger said.

All dogs that can’t be returned home immediately because they don’t have a microchip or their owners cannot be contacted are taken to the animal shelter in Bromley.

When they arrive, they’re checked to make sure there are no injuries that require vet treatment.

The dogs get a kennel, bedding and food that suits whatever age the dog is. They’re fed twice a day and exercised every day in a large paddock to give them a good run and sniff around.

“We have a few repeat visitors that I think like to come to the shelter just for the food,” Bridger said.

Staff try “every means possible” to locate their owners.

“We call, we put letters in their letterboxes, use social media. But unfortunately not all dog owners come forward,” Bridger said.

If an owner cannot be found, the dogs are assessed and if their temperament is suitable, they’re put up for adoption.

“Dogs that have temperamental issues are held until they can be re-homed to Dog Watch or Bull Breed rescue where the two organisations do work with the dogs until they can be rehomed to a new family,” Bridger said.