It appears that I have failed by not updating my Blog and in particular in relation to AHAR, Animal Heaven Animal Rescue. I did update my Blog by advising the public that AHAR since the beginning of 2014 are operating their rescue with the CHY number 20701. That is encouraging news, in gaining recognition and a CHY number it brings with it obligations and responsibilities, time will tell if that is achievable for this rescue.
The first obligation I would have thought was to ensure that the animals all have adequate shelter, food, regular worming, vaccination and grooming in other words good animal husbandry. The second would be to ensure that all dogs are spayed or neutered before adoption, the very basics for any rescue concerned with the over population of unwanted dogs. Thirdly, that all dogs are behaviour and temperament tested before adoption. Fourthly, all adoptive homes are checked as suitable for every dog and new owners are suitably matched to the dog.
Shelter - in respect of the deplorable photos displayed elsewhere on Facebook it is debatable if provision is adequate for all the dogs. Even by accepting AHARs explanation, giving them benefit of the doubt that dogs were accommodated in small inadequate cages, stacked on top of one another due to a severe storm damage to their shed, was only temporary. That did not explain the situation seen for the dogs living outside in mud, with inadequate shelter and protection from all weathers. Although it appears there must have been some conscious effort to rectify the situation by erecting tarpaulin around the runs, since comments and concern were raised.
Food - this appears to be in good supply by contributions, even if AHAR have to keep reminding the public of their need.
Worming, vaccination one would hope all puppies and dogs are wormed and fully vaccinated before adoption. This again is debatable as to whether every dog is fully vaccinated before moving from the premises or just given a basic parvo.
Spaying and neutering this appears to be something practically unheard of at AHAR, certainly not carried out as routine. The very basic of every good rescue to ensure is to ensure that dogs do not reproduce more puppies. Why then doesn't AHAR consider this a priority?
Health and Safety this does not appear to be encouraged either. Photos of very young children running around on the premises is not ideal or advisable. Volunteers appear to just arrive, are they given instruction on health and safety before being let loose? The volunteers hand book is one that AHAR themselves cannot meet all the advice given within the booklet, so how do they expect volunteers to be able to do so?
They certainly do not follow their own advice when photos have been displayed of an adult volunteer, cigarette in hand larking about with the owner within a stable area with straw on the ground!! Have you seen any visible signs of a fire extinguisher or hose or advice notice for evacuation in case of fire?
Children seen alongside a horse in makeshift sling, something they were advised about and twice since horses have been seen in again makeshift slings.
The list is endless I could go on and on. To have a large premises like this with so many animals, volunteers, as and when, without adequate paid trained staff is just asking for trouble.
One very important question is of course do they have insurance personal insurance to cover injuries to any volunteer or insurance to cover the premises in case of fire? Have they ever been inspected by a fire officer?
So many question but unfortunately AHAR do not answer any sensible question on their Facebook page. This results in the post being removed and the poster banned. It happened to me and has happened to many others.
A rescue that is not prepared to listen to comments or to act on complaints must have some serious doubts in their own capabilities of running a rescue proficiently if they need to hide or refuse to comment.
