Dogs need more rescuers

By Tania Martin
JILL Stone of Emerald is dedicating her life to helping rescue and find new homes for Maremma sheepdogs and is desperately looking for more rescuers.
She rescued her first dog more than five years ago and has been working to help injured and homeless Maremmas ever since.
“I very quickly saw there was a huge need for rescuing the dogs,” she said.
Ms Stone said it all started five years ago when her dog had to be destroyed and she went for a drive to an animal shelter to see if she could pick up a new dog.
She said not long after that the shelter called her to see if she would give a young Maremma sheepdog a home.
“I had never heard of the breed before but I felt up for it and from there I learnt quickly about the breed and the need for rescue,” she said.
Since that day five years ago Ms Stone has set up a voluntary group called Maremma Rescue Victoria to help dogs in need.
She has rescued three dogs and provided foster care from many others.
Ms Stone said that shelters from across the state approach her group on a regular basis to find homes for Maremmas.
She said one of the problems with the Maremma breed is that it’s hard for people to find relevant information.
Maremmas are livestock guardian dogs and can sometimes be mistaken for golden retrievers because they look alike.
Ms Stone said the Maremma’s similarity to retrievers in most causes could cause big problems for new dog owners.
“The problems usually start because people buy a Maremma because it’s a cute puppy but are not given the proper information on how they should be raised,” she said.
Ms Stone said it was common to have to find a new home for a Maremma that has been living in the suburbs.
She said the dogs are more suited to people who have small acre blocks for the dogs to roam in.
Ms Stone said Maremmas are best suited to people who live in semi-rural areas with about an acre of land and who are home most of the time.
She said Maremmas are guardian and companion dogs and need plenty of attention.
Ms Stone said the rescue group desperately needs more people to become rescue carers.
Kristen Bon of Yellingbo is just one of the carers who rescue Maremmas.
She took in her first Maremma 11 months ago after deciding she needed one to help protect her chickens, lambs from foxes.
But George her Maremma was hit by a car and broke his leg and through her veterinarian, Kristen was told about the rescue group.
After meeting Ms Stone, Kristen decided to get involved in helping to rescue Mareemas.
She has recently adopted another Maremma, Leo, who is settling in well and guarding her chickens and sheep.
Anyone wanting to find out more about the rescue group or how to get involved should contact Ms Stone on 5968 4242.