Happy Birthday SHWA(UK)

[raindog]

The Siberian Husky Welfare Association (UK) is 3 years old on Saturday 7th February!

Time is a strange thing! The Saturday afternoon three years ago when a handful of concerned Siberian Husky owners sat down in a Hertfordshire Village Hall and voted to establish a new, independent Breed Welfare organisation seems at times, just like yesterday. At other times, it seems like we have been going forever!

Looking back, it seems extraordinary that we have achieved so much in so short a time. The sad thing was then, and remains today, the fact that SHWA(UK) was necessary.

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  We have achieved amazing success in taking in and rehoming unwanted Siberians.
  
  
  
  We have done incredibly well in helping large numbers of struggling owners to keep their Siberians as a result if the support, information and training we have been able to offer.
  
  
  
  We have been proactive in educating the public against the puppy farmers, backyard breeders and naive/greedy "pet" breeders who are destroying our magnificent breed.
  
  

Despite all this and the incredible dedication and hard work of our nationwide team of volunteers, the situation we face now is actually worse than it was in 2007. What was a problem in Husky Welfare is now a crisis. The irresponsible, unethical breeders continue to produce litter after litter of poor quality (and often unhealthy) puppies which continue to be sold to naive and ill-prepared new owners. Unsurprisingly, large numbers of these puppies are given up for adoption when their "cute" stage has given way to the bouncy, uncontrollable teenage stage.

It would be wonderful if, after three years of non-stop effort on behalf of our volunteers, we could take a breather and reflect upon our success. Unfortunately, this is the real world and we don't have that luxury.

We need to carry on and develop further our rescue, rehoming and support work and, crucially, we need to redouble our efforts in trying to educate the public away from those breeders whose only concern is for the profit they can make from our breed.

To all those who have supported us financially or in any other way over the past three years - THANK YOU

To all those wonderful people who have offered homes to unwanted Siberians and who have discovered the truth of the slogan, "Second Hand Dogs Give First Class Love" - THANK YOU

And to all those incredible people who have given up their time to volunteer and make SHWA(UK) work, both in the past and currently, most of all a huge THANK YOU to you!

Mick Brent - Secretary SHWA(UK)Terry Brent - Chair/National Rehome Co-ordinator SHWA(UK)

[siberian_wolf]

Happy Birthday SHWA (uk) :party:

The effort and commitment you all have towards the breed is outstanding and grows more everyday You have saved so many sibes and stuggling owners I cant think of the right words to describe how brilliant that is. With everything you have also bought much happiness to those who have rehomed sibes from you and they also deserve so much as if it wasnt for people like them coming to you to rehome a second hand sibe then you wouldnt be where you are today

You all are a real inspiration to everyone who has passion for the welfare of dogs and helping others understand the true meaning and responsibilities of dog ownership

[Val (Zebedee)]

The sad thing was then, and remains today, the fact that SHWA(UK) was necessary.

Totally agree, Mick & Terry but from that humble gathering recognising that fact, a great welfare association has been born.

Many Happy Returns, SHWA!!

[mbb23]

Happy Birthday SHWA!! Fantastic work the SHWA team does!! x x x x x

[Strider30]

Happy birthday shwa, and like everyone else has said what a great organisation, keep up the great work, and well done for everything you do for the breed. Inspiration to us all

[Sarah]

Happy Birthday SHWA(UK)

Keep up the good work, you have inspired so many people and educated them along the way

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

happy birthday SHWA