00:00 "This is not what we want for Dexter or any of these dogs for the rest of their life.
00:06 Even the best rescue is no substitute for a loving home."
00:09 A local animal rescue centre have issued an urgent appeal as they face an adoption emergency.
00:16 Freshfields say they need forever homes for four dogs in their care ahead of new laws
00:22 banning XL bullies.
00:24 "We are looking for pet and kid free only because this is their final chance of a home.
00:30 After the 31st of December they can't be moved.
00:33 So we've got to remove every possible risk that it might not work at this point."
00:40 In October the breed was added to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act
00:45 with it becoming illegal to breed, sell, advertise, exchange, gift, rehome, abandon or allow XL
00:52 bully dogs to stray in England and Wales.
00:55 This will come into effect from the 31st of December 2023.
00:59 "Our reaction from a dog welfare point of view is just an absolute nightmare.
01:06 You know from 31st of December we won't be able to rehome a single dog that is XL bully.
01:14 So the problem that we've got is the details of what will constitute an XL bully are there
01:21 but how it's applied the details aren't.
01:24 So is there any room for interpretation or all of that.
01:27 So that means we've got to err on the side of caution and any dogs that might be considered
01:35 type we've got to assume would be otherwise we're risking them being stuck in a kennel
01:40 for 10 or more years for the rest of their life."
01:44 Freshfields say potential adopters coming forward before the end of the year is the
01:48 last hope for one year old Moose, two year old Ora, Dexter aged seven and golden oldie
01:56 Sonny who's 12.
01:58 The animal rescue are offering a substantial support package for anyone who adopts one
02:03 of their XL bullies.
02:05 "We've got a special package of support for the adopters so we're not going to charge
02:11 an adoption fee.
02:12 I think it's important for people to know that we'll cover any of the costs associated
02:16 with getting a certificate of exemption that anyone who's got these types of dogs is going
02:21 to need and for people to know that that's actually not a scary thing.
02:26 There's loads of people doing it and it will entail the main thing right now is muzzle
02:31 training your dog so that that's not a shock to them.
02:34 Other than that they just need a short lead, third party insurance which sounds like it's
02:40 an expense but actually if you join the dogs trust as a member you can get that for about
02:44 £28 and we are also willing to cover the cost for ongoing vet care, non-emergency vet
02:52 care so long as they can come to our vet here.
02:55 We'll be on the end of the phone any time anyone needs us, we're just there for anybody
02:59 who can give a heart and home to these dogs."
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