Passionate Waipā dog adopter Sally Fraser with Frankie.
“He’s probably never been shown love. Yet, the warmth he reciprocates when someone cares is amazing.”
Examples like Frankie are largely why Sally Fraser does what she does.
She helps dogs in either one of Waipā’s two dog pounds – in Cambridge and Kihikihi – get adopted and has 14 in four years.
“One at a time obviously.”
Her adoptions have been either temporarily, or more permanent, since she fostered her first dog – a “beautiful” Border Collie – through South Waikato District Council.
Now adopting Waipā dogs, her reasoning is simple.
“So many great dogs are in our district’s pounds. All they need is a good home and some love,” says Sally, who works as the council’s Waste Minimisation officer.
Waipā District Council figures provided to The News show new homes were found for 47 dogs the district’s pounds in 2022.
More than half – 25 dogs – were rehomed via various charities. The other 22 were rehomed directly from the pounds.
As The News went to print Frankie was one of 14 dogs living in Waipā’s pounds.
Council compliance manager Karl Tutty said the 10 include all shapes, sizes and breeds of dog – including a Golden Retriever.
In Frankie’s case, council animal control staff don’t know much about his background, breed or age.
He was brought to the pound about a month ago by someone who rescued him because they knew he wasn’t well cared for and they simply couldn’t keep him.
Frankie also lived with Sally for about a week.
She said when she first met Frankie, he had a skin condition, which has now healed, and a mark around his neck – likely from a collar.
“He’s probably lived much of his life outside,” she said.
Frankie.
“And yet, what’s so amazing is despite the fact he’s most likely been treated in a not so nice way by people in the past, he’s still so loving and affectionate.”
She’s pleased by Frankie’s progress.
“He’s put on lots of weight, is running around more and looks so much better.”
“He’s just beautiful,” Sally said of Frankie’s stay with her.
“But I couldn’t keep him for too long.”
With two other rescue dogs already, she feels Frankie’s ideal home would be one where he’s an only dog.
“He’s so friendly and loves attention so much that it would be wonderful if he found somewhere he could be given that one-on-one.
“After staying with me though, I can say he can live with a cat – he lived with mine – and he’s crate, house and toilet trained.”
Potential owners from Hastings almost adopted Frankie but ultimately took home another dog which they felt was a better fit.
“I totally support the fact they ended up taking a dog they felt was a better match. What makes a successful dog adoption after all is correctly matching the personalities of potential owners with dogs that compliment them.
“As well as things like a dog’s energy levels with a potential owner’s lifestyle,” Sally said.
The Hastings visitors were so taken with Frankie though that despite not adopting him, they paid to have him desexed and bought him a “posh” dog bed.
Another anonymous donor offered to cover Frankie’s vaccination and microchipping expenses – meaning he can now, essentially, be adopted at no cost.
Frankie finding his forever home would delight Sally.
“It’s so special seeing a dog rehomed, and so joyous knowing they’ve found a family who loves them.
“There’s no excuse for Frankie – or any of the other wonderful dogs – to be here really,” she said.
