The Flat Coated Retriever Rescue Network: Our Introductory Statement
Who We Are
The Flat Coated Retriever Rescue Network (FCRRN) are a network of people across the mainland of the United Kingdom who have formed to help flat coated retrievers whose quality of life could be improved and who need rescuing. Rescuing consists of the surrender of a dog by the current guardian/owner and the adoption of that dog by a new guardian/owner.
We have more than one hundred years of cumulative experience in the practices of rescues for the benefit of flat coated retrievers.
Our key aim is to improve the quality of life of flat coated retrievers.
Our practices are based on the principles of –
• openness
• trust (ability, benevolence, integrity)
• emotional intelligence.
What We Do
Typically we are contacted by a current guardian who is concerned for the quality of life of their flat coated retriever in their home. The situation might have arisen due to issues in the lives of the human animals or in the life of their canine companion.
We discuss the situation in detail and ideally we make a home visit to assess everything.
Then we search through our database of potential adopters seeking to find a new guardian. A home check is part of our standard procedure to examine all aspects of the environment of the potential new home.
The current guardian signs a surrender form that transfers guardianship to the FCRRN. Other papers are also passed to the FCRRN where appropriate e.g. Kennel Club registration, microchip data, pedigree, medical records including vaccination information, et alia.
The FCRRN organise transport and temporary accommodation if necessary so that the surrendering guardian does not meet the adopting guardian.
The adopting guardian signs an adoption contract taking legal responsibility for the flat coated retriever with the proviso that the dog will be returned to the FCRRN if the quality of life is not improved. Follow up home checks are part of our standard procedures and we will take a flat coated retriever back for the benefit of the dog.
Also the adoption contract stipulates that the adopted flat coated retriever will not be sold or passed to another guardian without the prior agreement of the FCRRN. The contract also stipulates that the adopting guardian indemnifies the FCRRN against any claim or damage caused by the adopted flat coated retriever.
How We Practise
We apply our principles; hence from the first contact we seek to be open about the situation that has caused concern for the quality of life of the flat coated retriever while being cognisant of the need for confidentiality.
We try to build trust based on our abilities, benevolence and integrity with the surrendering guardian, potential adopters, and the actual adopting guardian.
We use our emotional intelligence to understand our emotions in response to the situation and thereby to help us to communicate effectively with empathy towards the surrendering guardian and the adopting guardian.
We know the pain of a surrendering guardian in this situation and how much the guardian wants to find a loving home.
When there is more than one dog that needs to be surrendered then we try to keep them together in an adopted home whenever possible.
Generally the FCRRN do not organise a foster home beyond temporary accommodation for one night or a weekend as part of a surrender and adoption rescue process. The logistics and financial implications are too complex for foster care.
The FCRRN rely on the voluntary activities of our network and on donations. We do not charge for our rescue activities.
In order to achieve our aim the FCRRN hold personal data on the members of our network, people surrendering a flat coated retriever, potential and actual adopters, inter alia. We comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which is part of the data protection regime in the UK, and with the new Data Protection Act 2018. The GDPR and the Data Protection Act came into force on May 25th 2018.
Full disclosure: I was a volunteer with the Independent Flatcoated (sic) Retriever Rehoming (IFRR) from 2012 until 2021. During that period I was regularly involved with rehomings and I did four of the five rehomings in 2021. I was the editor of the IFRR’s newsletter for the eight editions in 2020 and 2021. With effect from January 2022 I have ceased to be a volunteer with the IFRR.
The Flat Coated Retriever Rescue Network wish to complement the work of the Flat Coated Retriever Society rescue, rehousing and welfare scheme, the IFRR, and other rescue organisations.
Our key aim is to improve the quality of life of flat coated retrievers so please contact us if you think the FCRRN could help.
Dr Iain J Robbé
On behalf of the Flat Coated Retriever Rescue Network (FCRRN)
Email: walesandwm@gmail.com
http://www.iainrobbe.com
“Rescues R Us”