dog breeds

As you can see we have put on our best Christmas outfits to remind you that Christmas is almost here and we are still waiting for our forever home!! Please take a look at us with fresh eyes and consider whether we could perhaps share our love with you in your home? Some of us have special needs but that just requires a little adaptation and a little more patience and I promise you we are worth it and BCR will be there to assist!
Border Collie Rescue is a non-profit organisation, which was started in 1997 by dedicated individuals who care for this very special breed. Approximately 400 Border Collies are re-homed in Gauteng per year. Please note that this web site is the home page of the South African Border Collie Rescue organisation (Gauteng). See our Border Collie Links page to contact other Border Collie Rescue organisations in other parts of the world. Border Collies are very intense, lively dogs and are also one of the most intelligent dog breeds. Because of this they appear regularly in television advertisements, films and at working dog demonstrations, e.g. by the Police. This creates the impression with the general public that these dogs make obedient pets and as a result Border Collie numbers have increased significantly in the last 10 -15 years. Where Border Collies used to be working farm dogs, we now get more and more Border Collies in urban areas, many of which are acquired as pets. Because of their high energy levels and intelligence, Border Collies get frustrated and bored easily and this manifests itself in what many owners consider unacceptable behavior. Such behavior can include excessive barking, howling, digging up plants and irrigation systems, escaping from the yard, chasing cars and herding children and other pets. Border Collies may also nip at young children. As a result of this kind of behavior many Border Collies are abandoned or end up at animal shelters.

Our Aims

Border Collie Rescue attempts to address the problem of abandoned Border Collies in the following ways:

1. By educating the public about the breed;
2. By finding adoptive homes for abandoned and improperly placed dogs;
3. By rehabilitating abused Border Collies
4. By raising funds to cover the costs of sterilization of dogs, advertising, kenneling fees, transport; phone bills and veterinary fees.

Border Collie Rescue also provides an invaluable service to many Border Collie owners who, through no fault of their own, can no longer care for their dog.

How to care for your Border Collie

If you feel that you still want to take up the responsibility of becoming the owner of one of these special dogs, here are some tips that would assist you.:

1. Before you decide to get a Border Collie, think whether it will fit in with your lifestyle and whether you are willing to put in the time and effort this breed requires. Think twice if you live in an apartment, townhouse, have small children or have a busy schedule. Talk to owners of Border Collies and learn all you can about the breed.
2. Consider adopting a rescue dog. We have a number of wonderful dogs looking for good homes. Past experience has shown that rescued Border Collies bond closely with their adoptive homes. Adopting an adult dog also has some advantages; for example you have a very good idea what the dog will look like and of what its temperament will be. Some of the dogs are still quite young. Although some may have behavioral problems, many are perfectly normal dogs.
3. If you buy a puppy make sure it is healthy. Puppies can inherit conditions such as eye disease, hipdysplasia and epilepsy from their parents. A responsible breeder will not breed dogs with inheritable disorders. You should ask the breeder whether an inheritable problem exists in the bloodline of the parents. You can also contact your veterinarian for more information. The puppy should also be free of parasites and appear active and healthy. Look out for puppies with any discharge from the eyes or nose or dirty ears. Puppies should not be fearful or aggressive. It is always a good idea to meet the parents. Puppies are ready to leave their mother at 7-8 weeks of age.
4. Dogs should be inoculated against infectious diseases such as distemper, parainfluenza, parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis and rabies. Puppies are inoculated at 6-8 weeks with follow up inoculations at approximately 12 and 16 weeks and thereafter the dog must get an annual booster. Dogs should also be kept free of parasites as ticks in particular can cause fatal illness. There is no vaccine against biliary fever, caused by ticks and therefor it is essential that your Border Collie be kept free of ticks. There are some excellent products available nowadays that do exactly that.
5. Feed your dog a high quality dog food recommended by your veterinarian. It is best to buy your dog food from your vet; supermarkets stock cheaper food, but remember that you get what you pay for.
6. Provide your Border Collie with lots of exercise and mental stimulation. It is certainly not good enough to keep a Border Collie in a yard all day, even if it is a spacious yard. Border Collies enjoy chasing a ball, jogging, swimming, long walks and your company. Border Collies need a job to do, even if it is only chasing a ball. You can get involved in all sorts of interesting activities with your Border Collie, e.g. herding, agility, obedience, flyball and search and rescue. Your vet will be able to tell how to get in touch with some of these clubs.

How can you help?

Looking after these rescued dogs is very expensive. They have to be fed and need medical attention - this costs money. There are also administrative expenses. Border Collie Rescue is run by volunteers who give their time and their own money without receiving any compensation. We would love to build our own kennels but at the moment we simply do not have the money for that.

You can assist us by helping with fundraising, assessing potential homes, giving a foster home to a Border Collie or by making a financial contribution. Cheques should be made out to Border Collie Rescue and sent to PO Box 97125 Petervale, 2151 or paid into our bank account at Standard Bank in Randburg, account no: 226387399.

For more information contact:

Irene Thompson, telephone number: 0824129969 or

Julie Morris on mwmoz@mweb.co.za   and (c) 082-887-9668 or (011) 395 2259

Karen Grey on kaybcr@gmail.com   and (011) 452 7769

Dogs needing support

Dogs needing new homes

Border Collie Links