8:05AM, Mon Mar 12, 2012

Cleadon Dog Kennels Close To Capacity

By India Adams Location: Cleadon, South Tyneside

Stray dogs arrive at the kennels in Cleadon every day and with a limited number of spaces they are now close to capacity.

Although staff try hard to rehome every dog, some have to be put to sleep.

Kennel manager Sarah Wilkinson, said: “We try our best to find all of the dogs a home, but at the moment it’s just not physically possible.

“We haven’t had as many people coming through the gates as we would normally would. It seems like rehoming has completely dropped off.”

One breed, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, makes up half the population of the kennels.

Many people are reluctant to adopt them because of their reputation as status symbols.

Sarah said: “Staffies are very loyal, intelligent and active dogs. They’re very loving.

“The problem is that the wrong kind of people get a hold of them and because of that they’ve got a bad reputation through no fault of their own.”

The kennels are open to the public every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday between 2pm and 4pm.

For more information call Sarah at the kennels on 0191 529 2369.

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