Brave dogs need good homes
BLUE HILLS - Blue Hills' Lorraine Smalberger of Pekingese Rescue South Africa works tirelessly with other members of the organisation to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home abandoned and abused Pekingese.
Smalberger explained that Pekingese dogs were one of the oldest breeds and were bred by emperors to be protective and snappy. The dogs are often referred to as the lion dog as they were bred to look like a lion and to have the heart of a lion.
“They are loyal, brave, loving and very special,” said Smalberger, who has opened her home to many abandoned Pekingese.
She said that each dog’s medical and grooming needs were taken care of and their habits were screened by the organisation so that a suitable owner could be found. Smalberger added that all the dogs were neutered or spayed before they were put up for adoption.
She said people who wished to adopt also needed to be approved and home checks were conducted to ensure the homes would be suitable. She warned that Pekingese were generally not good with children under the age of seven years as they were very protective.
She explained that the breed-specific organisation was a non-profit organisation which relied on community members to foster the Pekingese dogs until people wanted to adopt the dogs. While there was a need for permanent homes, the organisation also appealed to community members to help them to foster some of the dogs.
Smalberger said anyone wishing to adopt a Pekingese would have to complete an adoption application and a home check would be conducted.
An adoption fee and a mandatory microchip pet identification would have to be paid for.
The organisation also puts up photographs and updates of the latest rescues on their Facebook page, Pekingese Rescue of South Africa.
Details: Lorraine Smalberger, lorraine@pekerescuesa.org.za
