GSP Rescue South Africa

TEXT: GEORGIA HARLEY

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

As the name suggests, the focus of this organisation is the rescuing and rehoming of German Pointers, but this is not where the scope of work for GSP Rescue ends. The team also rescue English Pointers and Vizslas, along with many other dogs, particularly crossbreeds featuring the above breeds.

FUN FACT

A healthy, fit adult GSP can reach a top speed of between 50 and 70km/h.

THE RESCUE PROBLEM

As is sadly the case with many high energy, high stimulation 'working dogs' GSPs are often purchased as puppies and returned or abandoned not long after. Many owners are unaware of the breed's requirements upon purchasing their puppy and soon realise they are not equipped to deal with this active breed. Often due to the lack of stimulation and exercise these pointers receive, they become frustrated and indulge in behaviours their new owner dislikes. Owners then try to find homes for the dogs themselves. This often creates even bigger issues as the websites and sales platforms that owners select very rarely find a suitable home for the dog, and the dog ends up in the same situation as before, unstimulated and frustrated. To compound the issue, certain irresponsible breeders knowingly sell their litters to homes that are not suitable simply to 'get the pups off their hands' and money in the bank.

The GSP rescue focuses on rescuing these dogs and finding them suitable new homes. A lengthy and extensive adoption process ensures this suitability.

BACKGROUND

The GSP Rescue did not start as the non-profit organisation it is today. Instead, it was the coming together of a group of pointer loving friends who wanted to make a difference and help. In 2015, the GSP Rescue became formalised and created a more refined adoption process. In 2016 the GSP Rescue became a non-profit organisation, and since 2015, the Rescue has found loving homes for almost 400 dogs (roughly 75 to 80 pointers per year).

Since refining the adoption process, the GSP rescue has had an almost 99% success rate with adoptions. The homes have been suitable, and animals live out their days in a home they deserve, experiencing love, health, and happiness. Before leaving the GSP Rescue, all the dogs are sterilised, microchipped, and dewormed and vaccinations are completed to make them up to date.

GET INVOLVED

If you would like to get involved, please visit the GSP Rescue South Africa website, where you can find forms for adopting or becoming a foster. You can also read a host of other tips on how you can help the pointers of South Africa.

SUCCESS STORY

As Rolien of the GSP Rescue says, "every rescue and adoption is a success", but the story of GSP female Alice sticks out the most. Alice was skin and bone and had been deprived of food and attention - a dog's basic needs. When she was collected from a veterinary practice in Pretoria and taken to the GSP resident caregivers, Muldersdrift Animal Clinic, she weighed a minuscule 11kg. The normal weight for a female GSP is between 22 and 25kg. She remained in the vet's care for three months. She received a special food for her to slowly but surely put on weighed.

If she had not been rescued when she was, she would not have made it. Every day Rolien went to visit her to teach her to trust humans. At first, Alice did not even want to even go outside the kennel, but through patience and persistence, Alice finally learned to trust and enjoy the attention. The best part of this story is that there was a home waiting for Alice before she left the vet. Although Alice's time was cut short with her loving family due to cancer, she was dearly and deeply loved in her ultimate home.