New NPO launched to rescue powerbreed dogs

A NEWLY established dog rescue organisation, Freedom Ride Powerbreed Rescue (FRPR), is appealing to the community to help make its project to build kennels a reality.

The organisation came about when three passionate dog rescuers, Brett Farrell, Nicole Jack and David Hardwick, who had all been in rescue for a while, decided to join forces to create the non-profit organisation (NPO).

“To save one or two dogs is awesome, but to have the clout to lobby and enforce the law is so much more impactful for the breeds we rescue, which are Pitbulls, Rottweilers, Staffies, German Shepherds and Boerbulls,” said Brett.

The NPO was launched in April and has linked up with Amanzimtoti SPCA where they have been loaned 30 kennels, which Brett said are always full of rescued and surrendered dogs.

“If we had 200 kennels they would probably be full! Tracey Girling who heads up Toti SPCA has been amazing and her incredible knowledge has been a great source for us. We have levelled a large tract of land next to the SPCA where we have started to build our own sanctuary. We plan on having 35 large kennels up and running soon, as we have to move in by 15 October. It’s a huge ask, but people have been generous,” he said.

The sanctuary will be called Ohana, which in Hawaiian means ‘no one left behind’, which Brett said is the aim of the NPO. He said they were going to try make the kennels as natural as possible, with a run where the animals can run and play.

Nicole said the founders of FRPR were Pitbull advocates, but not Pitbull idiots, and that they knew what the breed was capable of.
“We know what to look at to see whether the dogs we rescue are can be homed or whether they are a danger. We have a rehabilitation programme for the dogs which is run on positive reinforcement and not heavy handedness, and it can take the dogs from six weeks up to a year to rehabilitate. We work at the dog’s pace. Each case is judged on its own merit. If we know a dog will never be able to be homed, we will have ‘lifers’ once our sanctuary opens, where the dogs can stay as long as they are happy,” she said.

Brett said FRPR had homed up to 60 dogs in the past five months, coming from areas such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth as well as locally, and that their biggest problem was finding the right home.
“Some people are very keen, but are just not capable of caring for the breed. These dogs need lots of love. The Pitbull is seen as a pariah and we need to stop the wrong people taking them on. We are responsible for ongoing education on the breed and offer training to the public. We are a lot more than just a place to drop your dog!” said Brett.

He said the name of the organisation resonated with the way the partners felt about homing the dogs that come into their care.
“The freedom ride is a dog’s final trip from the shelter to its forever home. A photographic project made up of photos of dogs during their freedom rides have shown the dogs are literally smiling, the corners of their mouths are raised. And people say animals don’t have souls. People have a lot to learn about animals!” said Brett.

The NPO is encouraging the community to help in many ways, as it attempts to build its sanctuary by mid-October. Brett and Nicole said the immediate short-term goal was to raise money to build the sanctuary and said companies who donate will be recognised with plaques erected at the completed kennels, as well as on its website. FRPR is also selling branded items to raise funds, such as shirts, cellphone covers, cups, bangles, Frisbees and hoodies.

On a long-term basis, they are appealing for any donations of dog food and encourage people to go through to the sanctuary to spend time with the dogs, to give them a treat or a toy, to sit and give them love, which is very important for their healing.

Visit the Facebook page: Freedom Ride Powerbreed Rescue. Post messages on the page and someone will be in contact.

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