Rescue & Re-homing
Occasionally the SSA may know of dogs which, for a variety of reasons may need rescuing or rehoming. Sometimes owners’ circumstances change, and they have to give up their dogs.
If you find yourself in this situation the first thing to do is to look at your contract of sale with your breeder as many will have a clause where they will take the dog back or help rehome. However, not every breeder will be able to help and, in these cases, the SSA may be able to.The SSA will always assess such dogs and do their best to place in alternative homes.
Why go through Sussex Spaniel Association rescue?
If you have a Sussex Spaniel who is in need of being rehomed the SSA may be able to help. If all parties agree that it is in the best interests of the dog to be rehomed through SSA Rescue then it will need to be handed over to the SSA and you’ll need to sign some paperwork to officially transfer the dog to us.
Handing a dog over to SSA Rescue allows the SSA to provide the dog with a vet checkup &/or treatment if required. (Having existing veterinary records handed over would also be very helpful.)
If a stay in kennels or interim foster arrangement is required SSA Rescue will carry out routine treatments such as vaccinations, flea treatments, deworming, and grooming whilst the dog is in their care.
Each dog will go through a thorough assessment before being rehomed. Rest assured we’ll take good care of any dog we are able to rehome.
If you need to rehome your dog or wish to rehome a rescue dog please contact the SSA Rescue & Rehoming Co-ordinator:
Amie Jones: 07713143393 email: ssabreedrescue@gmail.com
Some amazing stories
Handsome George
Handsome George was a special first rescue for me; I do have a big soft spot for the boys and George was an older gentleman. He had his Sussex quirks, but he soon charmed his way to my heart.
George had spent nine years in his home, being the centre of his owners world travelling and enjoying the countryside life. He hadn’t always had an easy life with his health but he was a resilient chap with bags of character.
George found himself in the company of a new baby in the family, and during the first year his family worked with the transition of the change and George, despite never doing anything wrong around the baby, struggled with losing that 1-1 attention and his family started to worry. George liked his small circle and home the way it was. With the house getting busier he was not the family dog that would cope with other children coming in the house. So, his family made contact and we had a long chat over the phone. We dived deep into George’s life and history so I could understand his nature and what he would need going forward before booking an assessment and preparing me for our first meeting.
One drizzly day, I headed down to the Cotswold’s and met George and his owner with my own boy Boris, a young Sussex, that has become quite a trusty companion with my own rescue work.George greeted us with lots to say! As we headed around a field, it was clear from observing George with Boris and others we stumbled upon that day that he would take a long time to build a relationship with another dog and to live in harmony as he was a one man’s dog! He could certainly go walking with others to keep the social skills sharpened but I decided he needed to be the only dog. We headed back and I completed the last part of the assessment with George 1-1, he greeted me with the usual Sussex babble and we headed into the lounge where we soon become very good friends. This is where he showed me what a sweet sensitive little boy he was, he sat on my lap and leaned in and was very insistent on letting me hold his paw. George enjoyed the peace and quiet and I could see in his kind eyes that he had a lot of love to give. After completing his assessment, I went away and started looking at the home I knew George needed that peaceful retirement home where he could be someone’s world again….
And that’s exactly what we found. A few weeks later George and I headed down south to meet his new owner had lunch and chatted all things dogs and of course George! He sat with and was very taken with his new companion. He charmed her with his eyes and paw holding and we walked and talked and ate and it was decided that day George wasn’t leaving.
It takes a rescue animal three months to start to decompress and George really has showed how resilient he was. He trusted his journey, got into a lovely routine and started to enjoy sleeping on a bed again. He has even had his first holiday. George may be 9 years young, but his new owner keeps him on his toes and has continued sharpening up some manners and their relationship is growing every day, he is very much loved, and I look forward to visiting him this early summer. Be happy Gorgeous George.
Wonderful Willow
My second Sussex rescue was an absolute delight! A little smiler with lots of love to give.
Willow sadly needed my help as her owner since a puppy, was sadly in palliative care and could no longer care for her. Willow may have been small, but she had lots of personality.
Thankfully I was able to find out lots about her through a family member of the owner. We had a conversation and I enjoyed hearing all about her life, quirks and personality. Just from the phone call alone, I had a good indication she would pass the assessment upon meeting, so we arranged to meet.
I was greeted with an eager beaver! She said hello to me like she had met me before and hopped in my crate and settled down like a true Sussex for the journey. She was due to come into kennels with me at the full-time rescue shelter where I work with all breeds of dogs.
What a treat it was for us to have another Sussex as well as my own boy running around. Willow quickly showed the team her Sussex smile and all things considering was very ‘quiet’ for a Sussex in kennels – we only heard her ‘singing’ a handful of times! She became a favourite for the team to walk, and they enjoyed getting to know her.
She started to spend time with me in my office & Boris my Sussex, she was a typical female and bossed him around and made sure she had first sofa dibs however they got along a treat and would settle nicely. I could see from knowing Willow for a brief time, this little lady was active and smart and would thrive in a pet home that had some interest in working her, and that’s what I was lucky to find! Along came a couple that were Sussex savvy, knew the breed and wanted a female for their loving home to accompany their lovely Labrador.
Willow met them one sunny November afternoon, and they instantly fell for her – she got on her new dads lap on the sofa and ensured she showed her best side. Willow and her new Labrador friend pottered nicely together and that very day she headed down south to start her new beginning. I have since had some fantastic updates and photos; she’s even out working! Be happy wonderful Willow, you deserve it.