About Westie Rescue Scheme
We are a national organisation formed by the late Barbara Graham in the late 1970's. Initially we consisted of a few caring colleagues who struggled to make ends meet against all odds and in the face of adversity. The more widely recognised The Westie Rescue Scheme of the present day came into being in 1993. The Scheme now has over 2500 registered 'friends'.
Why the need for Westie Rescue?
Every year hundreds of Westies are rehomed through this charity. There are a number of reasons why a dog can come into the Westie Rescue Scheme. The most common are:
- Long-term Illness or death of an owner
- Change in accommodation (e.g. flats sometimes do not allow pets or are not suitable e.g. no secure exercise area, no easily accessible areas)
- Situations change (eg working patterns)
- Arrival of children / grand children
- Abondoned / abused / neglected
Our purpose
We are dedicated to finding permanent homes for West Highland White Terriers who are in need of rescuing or rehousing. We also offer help, advice and support on all matters concerning Westies.
We are totally committed to the health and well being of all Westies who enter into our care. This is accomplished through our dedicated & integrated national support network consisting of trained volunteers who provide help & advice on all matters concerning Westies. You can help us to continue our efforts now by: joining as a ‘Friend’: or through the provision of dog sponsorship or by shopping in our online store today!
Why are we different
There seems to be a notion that when a Westie comes into Rescue it is put into a central Kennels along with hundreds of others - and that the public come along and view to possibly rehome.
We do not work in this way. When a Westie comes into Rescue it is either placed in a small family kennels or, as often as possible, is placed in one of our caring fosterers’ or helpers’ homes. This is the only true way of assessing the Westies suitability for rehoming in various everyday home situations. It is also at this stage where the skills of a behaviourist are utilised in order to assess any of the westies who may require it.
Where a Westie is deemed to be or have a problem - we will work tirelessly to ensure it is both fully understood and corrected. Whether this is through training, medication or through employing the skills of a behaviourist.
We need your help
We are a voluntary organisation with all donations being used to help the Westies that come into our care. One of our main sources of income derives from the 'friends' subscription fee. This is an annual donation for which you'll receive two newsletters per year, keeping you abreast with our ongoing work. You are also invited to contribute with your letters and articles.
The current subscription rate to join the scheme and become a 'Friend' is £15.00 per annum.
We NOW ACCEPT DONATIONS by CREDIT & DEBIT CARDS over the telephone. To make a donation over the telephone please call: 01446 790304 and request to make a donation to The Westie Rescue Scheme. By becoming a 'Friend', you ensure that our charity can continue its incredibly successful work.
We are always looking for volunteers to fund raise, provide transport and home check. Could you help? If so please contact the Scheme by writing to the Lead coordinator,11 Marchmont Drive, Greenlaw, Duns TD10 6YQ
HOW YOU COULD HELP TO REHOME A RESCUED WESTIE
In order to accurately rehome a Westie we work using an application form system so that we can hopefully match the right Westie with the right new owners. To date we have consistently achieved a successful rehoming record of over 97%.
Many of the Westies that come to us are dogs that do not like being left on their own. Additionally, many of the Westies that come into our care do so because they are not good with young children. We therefore DO NOT REHOME WHERE THE WESTIE WOULD BE LEFT ALONE DURING THE WORKING DAY OR WITH FAMILIES THAT HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN OR WHERE YOUNG CHILDREN FREQUENTLY VISIT. Please DO NOT complete an adoption form if you do not fulfil this criteria.
If you are interested in rehoming a Westie and you are resident in the UK then please contact our Scheme's Secretary, or alternatively goto Downloads Forms from the main menu and download the Application to adopt a Westie form. Please complete and return the adoption application form to The Westie Rescue Scheme, Mrs P Whyte, 11 Marchmont Drive, Greenlaw, Duns TD10 6YQ
Following submission of the application to adopt form - the form is assessed for suitability. If your application is successful, we will carry out a home check. Your details will then be placed on our central database, where we will hopefully match you with a Westie which best suits your particular circumstances.
Please also remember that some of our Westies require a commitment to long term veterinary care. For example a diabetic Westie will require regular injections - for which the adoptee must be prepared for both from a financial and caring perspective.
If you are lucky enough to adopt a Westie through the charity you can expect to receive ongoing support and reassurance if and when you need it.
Finally, this site is continuously evolving - in the future we hope to add the facility to 'join' the charity online, as well as provide detailed information on Westies who pass through the WRS rescue network, plus much much more! So please check back regularly!
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