DAS Dalmatians is the only UK’s only Dalmatian sanctuary and there are usually around 30 dogs at the sanctuary at any one time. These include the dalmatians and other giant breed dogs.
There are no kennels, they share the stable that Sue and Dave live in and are part of the family. They have 24/7 access to outdoor fields. As the dogs are free range, they are very happy and don’t bark unnecessarily and keeping them in a home environment is much better for their wellbeing.
The backbone of DAS Dalmatians is Sue, who along with her husband Dave put every ounce of their being into the care of the dogs, who they call their kids. They have no volunteers coming in to help. They help the ones that others have refused to help. Some are elderly, end of life, some have medical issues such as epilepsy, which require daily medication, some have behavioral issues and Sue works tirelessly day in, day out to give them the best quality of life possible and a whole lot of love.
WITHOUT DAS, SO MANY OF THESE DOGS WOULD HAVE BEEN NEEDLESSLY EUTHANASED BUT INSTEAD THEY GOT TO LIVE OUT THE REST OF THEIR LIVES BEING LOVED AND CARED FOR
Without DAS, so many of these dogs would have been needlessly euthanased but instead they got to live out the rest of their lives being loved and cared for. Saying goodbye to them rips Sue and Dave’s hearts out every time but comfort is gained by knowing they did their best for them and they died with love and dignity while being cuddled and told how much they were loved.
Unfortunately, their current residence is no longer suitable for the dogs or them. The track down to them is becoming more and more impassable and as it is a bridleway, the council are not interested in helping and no one will deliver to them now.
From their gate down to the stable, is now not drivable and when poorly Dalmatians that can no longer walk a distance have to go to the vets, they have to be put in a wheelbarrow to get to the top of the steep hill. The fields and yard are boggy and muddy when it rains, there is no concrete yard or drainage and they flood every time it rains badly.
If they do not find a new place to move to, they will have no choice but to close permanently before the end of this year as the current situation is not fair on the dogs or them. The mud is endless when it rains and means there is nowhere dry for them. Unfortunately, their landlord is not interested in helping or doing repairs as he will be selling the property once he has gained retrospective planning.
They are not in a position to buy a property as quite understandably, no one wants to still be paying a mortgage when they get to 80 years of age. Permanently closing is the last thing in this world they want to happen: they want to continue their mission to help the abandoned, mistreated, elderly, threatened-to-put-to-sleep spotties and give them a safe refuge to live out their days – and in some cases, rehabilitate and rehome the dogs that are able to live a normal life in the real world.
They are going to be grandparents this year and for the last six years their family life has been severely restricted as someone always has to be at home with the dogs. Sue has only been able to return north once since they started to help Dalmatians and other spotties, and that was in December last year for her son’s wedding. They cannot go on holiday nor go out for any length of time.
THEY ARE DESPERATELY CONTACTING REAL ESTATE AGENTS A BID TO FIND A SUITABLE PLACE TO MOVE TO, BUT THE CRITERIA IS MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND THEIR FUREVER HOME
They want to get the balance right for all of them and a move north close to family, which will also see them be able to have volunteers come in and help. They ask for help in Devon where they currently are and sadly get no response.
They are desperately contacting real estate agents a bid to find a suitable place to move to, but the criteria is and many agents are not willing to speak to prospective landlords stating they would say no. How do they know this without speaking to them?
The search has now turned to the media in order to spread the word about the plea in the hopes that someone, somewhere, knows of the perfect place for them. Social media has not helped.
Those criteria are:
• Long-term rental (at least 10 years) within 3-3 1/2 hours of Morecambe Bay
• Accommodation for Sue and Dave
• One acre or above of land
• Concrete yard with effective drainage
• Rural setting with no neighbours
• Outbuildings or stables are a plus but DAS are able to erect their own and also securely fence the land.