Rosedene Rescue Centre closed as dogs moved out of Walsall kennels
A troubled dog shelter has shut down after volunteers removed more than 20 animals claiming they were ‘at risk’.
Rosedene Rescue Centre in Rushall has closed temporarily but bosses say the facility at Radley Road is being revamped and new management will be put in place.
Last week volunteers left the centre having transferred 21 dogs to a support group which has stepped in to rehome them.
They have criticised conditions at Rosedene and have called for the centre to be closed permanently by authorities. They have launched a petition on 38 degrees which has been backed by more than 300 people so far.
A statement issued on behalf of the former helpers said: “The conditions of the Rosedene Rescue Centre kennels and areas where volunteers and visitors could go, has been deteriorating over many years.
“The volunteers did the best they could in the circumstances, making sure the dogs were regularly fed, cleaned, exercised and taken to the vet.
“However the conditions were such that the welfare of the dogs was at risk.
“A group of Rosedene Rescue Centre volunteers, working with other dog rescues, organisations and individuals moved all the remaining dogs to safe places where they will get the lives they deserve.
“This has been a huge task, involving 15 other dog rescues, rescue support organisations and dog transporters in the work to get the dogs to safe places.
“Ten dogs were taken to an emergency boarding centre, one went direct to a kennels and one went direct to another rescue.
“They are being given all the care they need and have heated runs and outdoor areas to run around in.
“Three dogs are in foster homes, being cared for before they go to rescue centres.
“There are no dogs left at Rosedene Rescue Centre and we hope that no dog will ever go there again.”
One volunteer, who played a key part in removing the dogs but did not wish to be named, said: “It was hell. I would come home crying every day. It still kills me now thinking about those dogs. I couldn’t do it anymore. The way those dogs were kept without adequate care was just not right. Many of the dogs were not vaccinated. They all had diarrhoea, there was a an impressive rats nest above the kennels.
“The conditions were so poor they are almost indescribable.”
In response, a Rosedene spokesman said: “The place is being revamped and a new management team is being put in place.
“Once the revamp has taken place Rosedene will be relaunched.”
The owner of Rosedene, Desmond Goodall, said: “I’m committed to Rosedene and to make sure the centre is run professionally and the dogs are well looked after.
“This is why I’m pleased that it’s now under new management.”
A group called Rosedene 12, made up of around 40 people from other dog rescues, charities and former volunteers, has stepped in over the last month working with volunteers to remove 21 dogs. Speaking to the Express & Star, a member of the group who also requested not to be identified, said: “We want to make sure no dogs ever go there again and it stays closed.
“It has been so upsetting to see the condition of some of the dogs, it’s just horrific.
“We have been contacted by near 100 people telling us stories. We had to do something to save these dogs.”
The dogs were signed over to group free of charge but now they are facing costs running into thousands of pounds to cover temporary boarding, veterinary treatment, food neutering procedures and vaccinations.
A Just Giving page has been set up to help pay for care which has already received more than £1,700 in donations.
In January 2010 Rosedene Rescue Centre was raided by the RSPCA who shut it down and seized 56 dogs, destroying three of them, due to the conditions at the centre.
It was allowed to open four months later.
