Dog haven will carry on the good work

DOG GUARDIANS: Finding secure homes for dogs are, from left, volunteer Glenda Stone with Lucy, director Jenny How with her own dog, kennel manager Dianne Barry with Datsun, and staff member Sam Pattison with Ivan. Lucy and Ivan are for adoption. Datsun has been booked.

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The founder of the Theresa Elizabeth Holiday Home for Dogs in Coatesville has died, but family and staff are keen to continue his work.

Jenny How, partner of late founder Graham Fitzpatrick, says his death touched many who knew him. The kennel was founded on his mission of finding a safe and secure home for stray and abandoned dogs.

The shelter provides boarding for dogs and also abandoned or unwanted dogs, but until a suitable family can be found they will continue to live at the kennels. Many people are unaware they can come to the centre and, for a small donation, be able to adopt a dog.

"We're very careful when it comes to finding a right owner for the dog, for we want it to be in a home that is safe and secure, and most importantly, be loved," Jenny says.

Graham's son, Bernard Fitzpatrick, says that once the dogs have been re-homed, the kennel will stay in touch with the new owners to ensure everything is going well.

"And if it doesn't work out for them, they can always bring the dog back, and we'll put it up for adoption again." Jenny says abandoned dogs are usually brought in by vets, personnel involved in collecting stray dogs, or other agencies. None are put down, because it just was not something Graham approved of.

For example, Bernard says, a vet brought in a greyhound because he did not have the heart to end the animal's life.

"It used to be a racedog, and it got a bit old, but it still made a good pet," Bernard says. "Its owner wanted to have it put down but the vet didn't have the heart to, so he took it in to us.

"It was adopted eventually, but the thing is, until the right family comes along we're happy to have it live here. Some of the dogs we get might be a bit too old, and people don't normally want to adopt an old pet, so it'll just end up living here as well.

"Our kennel manager Dianne has two dogs, and one is an old dog which was sick and the owner couldn't look after it any more. So it now stays with Dianne."

Jenny says the kennel's basic running expenses are funded through the shelter's boarding facilities, and its service has become very popular due to the quality care it provides. Dogs are not kept in cages and they are allowed to run freely in a small sun deck.

"Because we're a charity organisation, we rely a lot on donations, with most of it coming from our members," Jenny says.

The society was formed in May, 1973, by Mr Fitzpatrick and his late wife, Theresa Elizabeth.

It was formerly known as the St Francis Dog Sanctuary, but later changed to the Theresa Elizabeth Holiday Home for Dogs when she died in 1984.

A tree-planting service will be held in early April to honour Graham Fitzpatrick. If you would like to attend contact the shelter on (09)4159275.

If you knew Graham and would like to share your memories of him, the shelter appreciates you writing a memoir and sending it to: Theresa Elizabeth Holiday Home for Dogs, PO Box 35-350, Browns Bay, Auckland.

- © Fairfax NZ News