The French attitude to their animals – they’ve got nine million dogs, eight million cats – is complex. Some get outrageously spoilt, others – especially in rural areas – are abandoned and abused, sometimes with unspeakable cruelty. Fortune can change for such victims if, by chance, they are found by a benevolent rescuer. Such is Jane Costello of Nautichef who already had two dogs she’d saved from wretched existences when a third walked into her Antibes shop one day, clearly expecting a welcome. Maybe there’s a doggy blogger out there who passes the word round.

"Always looking for homes"

I’ve recently heard from Richard and Sheelagh Johnson of Phoenix Animal Rescue at Vergt in the Dordogne. Explained Sheelagh, “When we came here from the UK we soon realised how much suffering there was among animals, and not just dogs and cats. We wanted to do something about this and we’re now set up as a charity with a close link to the UK Blue Cross. Basically, we run a programme of fostering for abandoned and abused dogs and cats and then we try to find them suitable permanent homes. We don’t run a refuge. The animals are always in families.

Some people might say that human suffering should take priority and there’s a lot of it about. “You can’t really divide up the living world in that way. All sentient beings can suffer and anything that reduces that suffering is worth doing. You know, people who are indifferent to the plight of animals can be uncaring about their own kind as well. Of course, we’re quite a distance from your area but we’re always looking for homes and anyone who has to give up a pet is welcome to contact us. We also run a helpline on such topics as what exactly to do if you come across a stray dog or cat and how to report cases of cruelty. And a final point. We’re always happy to receive donations, however small.”

From Reporter 113 - Feb/Mar 2006

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