BAHRAIN’S strays have stolen the heart of British actress Poppy Marshall-Law who is helping find the caring canines ‘fur-ever’ homes in the UK.
The 26-year-old fell in love with Bahrain and its different dogs after moving to the island last year for a three-month work stint.
With plenty of time on her hands, she took to volunteering at the Bahrain Animal Rescue Centre (BARC) in Hamala, which was the inspiration that set the wheels for her master dog rescuing plans in motion.
“I wanted to continue helping the shelter dogs, but when my contract ended, I felt helpless as I had to return to the UK leaving them all behind,” said Ms Marshall-Law who lived on Amwaj Islands.
She hence set about finding UK-based fosters and adopters for Bahrain dogs, including those from BARC, as well as strays posted on different social media and chat groups, with the aim of becoming the perfect stray directory.
After plenty of planning, she developed the Hound on Heart website where dogs are featured with images and details about their breed, age and origin.
“The aim of the rescue is to unite families with dogs from Bahrain and help them find their forever homes in a safe and loving environment,” she told the GDN.
“Once a family decides on the dog they want, we, Hound on Heart, along with the people of Bahrain that assist with the documentation, fly the dog over and then recommend that they try a foster-to-adopt trial for two weeks.”
A shipping and logistics service in Manama collects the dogs from wherever they are being fostered or held. The canines are then transported to the airport and taken care of until they board the plane.
“If, of course, for whatever reason, a dog and a family are not a good match, we have a full rescue backup scheme in place where the dog will go into foster until another suitable home is found,” she added.
“Hound on Heart is not currently registered, however, this is a goal we hope to achieve before the end of the year. We work as a non-profit, so everything we raise goes into covering our costs of re-homing and importation, and anything else is used to help the dogs that are still in need and found on the streets.”
Since March, Ms Marshall-Law has helped home three beautiful puppies and two adult dogs around the UK, including lovely little Luna, a Saluki-German Shepherd mix that has been taken in by GDN managing editor Stan Szecowka’s daughter Imogen and granddaughter Eliza.
“Rescuing and adopting a dog is the most rewarding experience,” said Ms Szecowka. “Especially these Bahraini pups, they are the most gentle and kindest souls. Luna fits into our family perfectly and has adapted well with a cat, rabbit and an energetic three-year-old child. We can’t remember life before her and it’s only been two weeks. Hound on Heart has been phenomenal with regard to information, professionalism, kindness and support.”
Meanwhile, Joanna Bale in the UK is also thrilled to have rescue Ruby join her family.
Ms Marshall-Law has also set up The Puppy Drive. “Since Covid-19, the prices for puppies in the UK skyrocketed and there was a huge increase in the number of illegal puppy farms and backyard breeders,” she said.
“I saw an opportunity that for half the price of a purebred or a potentially inbred or illegal dog, people could instead save a desperate puppy from the street. The idea of the drive is to be a self-sufficient, ongoing rescue scheme, where the adoption fee for a puppy pays for the next dog’s flight to freedom.”
The actress currently has a litter of puppies flying out in June and has plans to open a dog park in the UK as well.
“The park will offer activities for families all year round, and also work-placements for the homeless,” she added. “This will, of course, take lots of planning.”
Visit houndonheart.uk, for details on helping to fly out a stray from Bahrain.
mai@gdnmedia.bh
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