Land Maintenance Assistant

Primarily we are a rescue organisation specifically set up for the benefit of Border Collies and their owners. We see this from the dogs point of view so instead of advertising dogs on the internet and our websites we ask people to offer a home to a dog and then look at these homes from the dogs viewpoint finding them homes that best suit their needs. To do this we have to know the dogs so we carefully assess them all to find out what makes them tick. Assessments start with herding and range though various working and interactive skills to domestic companions. We let dogs show us what they want to do and what they are best at. We assess homes and the people who apply to us. We visit them and talk to them about what sort of home they could offer and what sort of dog they would like. Then we make a match. The dog goes to its potential new home on a 4 week monitored trial and at the end, if we are all happy, the dog is adopted.

• But we go a little further. - We encourage responsible dog ownership and interaction between people and their dogs. We tell people about animal welfare and the duty of care we owe the animals around us. We offer advice and support to individuals and other organisations along with small grants to those that are needy. We offer experience and training to students seeking a career in animal care and welfare.

• To do this better we are setting up an assessment and rehabilitation centre on a remote farm we have purchased near Dumfries in Scotland. There we will have accommodation to care for traumatised dogs and facilities to assess their needs. Students and visitors wishing to learn and know more about our breed and associated subjects will be able to stay on work placements. We will have a breed heritage and visitors centre for school groups, seminars and informal meetings. We will have land set aside for children to learn about nature, farming, livestock and how it all fits together.

• You could be part of this. - Do get in touch.