Smudge: Ready for a home. Photo: Supplied
Correction: This story previously stated 18,000 dogs had been rehomed. The correct figure is 1800.
It is often a sad decision for farming families to retire their loyal huntaway or heading dog after years of mustering and yard work.
A charity called Retired Working Dogs said it has rehomed about 1800 farming canines over the last decade, but a decline in the number of people adopting them this year means they will soon have to stop accepting them from farms.
The president, Marie-Claire Andrews, said there's a consistent supply of working dogs, but finding their forever homes is getting harder.
"We consistently have several hundred dogs - but the challenge we've got is our foster homes are full and we've slowed down over the last few months being actually able to re-home them. I think that's probably cost-of-living increases for people and a bit of stress on the home front."
Andrews said taking on a dog is a big commitment and she's pleased people see it that way - but it is probably going to have to close its doors for new canines as it is just about at full capacity.
Bruce: Ready for a home and located in Hastings. Photo: Supplied
She said it's gut wrenching, but the only other option for older working dogs if there aren't enough people wanting to adopt them is euthanasia.
Andrews said it's understandable farmers can't keep old dogs when they also have a number of younger dogs doing the farm work as well.
"We have lots of different breeds of working dogs with Huntaways being New Zealand's classic. We've also got Collies and beardies and heading dogs. There's also pig dogs which are a mix of different breeds," Andrews said.
Lydia: Ready for a home and located in Masterton. Photo: Supplied
Andrews describes them as "not your handbag dogs that you can fit in your pocket", but medium sized and need regular exercise.
"But I adopted a pig dog four years ago and I live in a tiny house," she said. "There's plenty of room for him and he fits in just nicely. The amazing thing about them is that they are beautifully trained - the ones we have that are retiring. If I could I would have about 20 more!"
Photo: Supplied
She says they are intelligent, obedient dogs and not difficult to handle.
"Some of the dogs are younger, as they just weren't interested in chasing sheep," she said.
Andrews said all dogs are paired up with their 'right' retirement home, and if it doesn't work-out the charity will take them back on.
She said, if needed, the farm dogs are house trained before being rehomed and they are all supplied with bedding and food.
Jug: Ready for a home and located in Morrinsville. Photo: Supplied
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