Dog abandoned just before Christmas in Cornwall finds new home

The National Animal Welfare Trust are sharing Bryn's story to reach out to other struggling owners

Author: Sarah YeomanPublished 4th Feb 2022
Last updated 4th Feb 2022

A dog that was found abandoned in Cornwall just before Christmas is getting ready to go to his new home.

Bryn the lurcher was discovered tied to a gate late at night outside the National Animal Welfare Trust in Hayle.

They took him in and helped him through recovery and they have now found him a new home to go to.

The team are sharing Bryn's story to help spread a very important message to any owners who might be struggling to afford their pet.

Bryn's story

Not long before Christmas last year, at around 10.30pm, on one of the team's routine checks of the premises they noticed that through the dark two eyes were looking back at them.

At first they thought it might have been a fox or badger, as they regularly pick them up on the cameras. But upon closer inspection they saw it was a beautiful lurcher, alone, tied to the charity's fence and abandoned with nothing but a blanket and a bowl of water.

This is something which thankfully has only happened a handful of times in the many years the charity in Hayle has been running, but it doesn't make it any less upsetting when it happens. It was an incredibly cold night and if the team didn't do regular checks through the night this could have been a story with a very different ending.

The gorgeous boy was brought into the shelter and given a warm kennel, a jumper, bed, blankets, toys, food and water. He was incredibly scared and cold but grateful for the company.

After some more checks through the night, the following morning it was decided that this handsome chap would be called Bryn (the team are big Gavin and Stacey fans!)

Thankfully after a couple of days of getting to know Bryn slowly he knew that the team were only there to help him. He quickly went from a quiet, nervous boy to running zoomies around the paddock and becoming one of the cheekiest boys on the block!

Support for struggling pet owners

As well as telling Bryn’s story, the National Animal Welfare Trust think there is an important message here.

Bryn was cold and alone and on that night that poor boy’s world was turned upside down, but it doesn't have to be that way.

They are urging any struggling owners to reach out and access the charity's specialist support, there will be no judgement.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "Our centre is a warm and loving environment where the dogs in our care can learn, grow and thrive. We treat them as we would treat our own and love them all the same too. Bryn’s owner must have been in a desperate state, and thought they had nobody to turn to.

"But we would like to make it clear that we are here to help. It is what we do and it doesn't matter who you are or why you may need to rehome your pet, we do not judge anybody. We understand that these are difficult conversations to have and we are here to talk to you and help you. Do not ever feel like you cannot approach us. Sometimes life changes and tough decisions need to be made, but we are here for you.

"This is why we are also able to offer a free service we call Ally Support. The NAWT are the first animal rescue in the UK where staff members have completed the ALLY® People and Pet loss accredited training course and are registered as ALLY® Supporters. Working together to form a network of support across all our centres the trained staff help owners prepare, manage and adjust to the loss of their animal. This does not just mean people who are grieving for a pet who has passed away, this service is also there for those who have had to part ways with their pet, who have rehomed their pet through us or in any other way.

"Staff at the NAWT appreciate and understand the potential strength of bond between animals and their owners and therefore the complex challenges faced by owners when this bond is broken, they want to help at this difficult time by providing ALLY® support."

You can find more information about the National Animal Welfare Trust in Hayle here.

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