A Day in the Life of Adora-Bull Terrier Rescue and Rehabilitation
Adora-Bull Terrier Rescue and Rehabilitation is a breed specific rescue organization that specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of Bull Terriers. As a rescue organization, we understand that the Bull Terrier breed is unique and requires specialized care. That’s why we focus on their capabilities and needs around the clock, making sure that our dogs are our first priority. With a small, dedicated team of committee members and volunteers, our time and resources are extremely limited.
What sets Adora-Bull apart from other rescues and their kennel environments is our emphasis on structure, routine, and exercise. We achieve this by having Dania Skone and her sister, Claire Louise Horne, unlocking the rescue gates at 7 am every day for the past 10 years. They, with a team of dedicated volunteers, begin each morning by walking past each kennel to ensure that the dogs have had a good night’s rest. Once satisfied, they collect their leashes and start with a very basic and standard routine – walking dogs.
During the walks, which can take between 10 to 15 minutes each depending on the dog, the kennels are cleaned, water bowls are washed and refilled, and bedding gets checked and replaced. After each dog has had a good long stroll, breakfast is served followed by the “cookie run” where each and every dog receives a treat without exception. They then attend to the old, sick, and scared newcomers.
Dania and Claire do this every day of the week, regardless of the season or weather conditions. Only once the kennel rounds are done by 10:30 am can they grab a cup of coffee and tackle the admin work such as going through adoption applications, emails, returning phone calls, Facebook messages, and networking.
If there is a Bull Terrier in rehab, it means vet runs, therapy of some sort, trips up and down to ensure he/she is coping and settling in. Any unforeseen elements such as thunderstorms, an unexpected snake, a tree falling, or a Bull Terrier suddenly collapsing can derail an entire day’s planning.
The afternoon shift is slightly different. At 4:00 pm, the evening feed starts, water bowls are checked, dinner is served, and of course, the “cookie run”! In winter, each Bullies’ bedding is checked, and they are dressed in winter jerseys to ensure they are protected against the cold during the evening. In summer, the splash pools are kept full, shade nets checked, and the dogs are kept hydrated.
This is all done by Dania and Claire, two remarkable ladies who are passionate about our Bull Terriers.
Weekends are no different, except for the fact that we also have a small rehoming team who facilitate ‘meet and greets’ between adoptable dogs and potential families. This team dedicates most of their time over weekends traveling great distances to ensure dogs are successfully rehomed and/or settled in. No road is too long or home too far for us.
Dania and Claire never take a day off, go on holiday, or spoil themselves. On more than one occasion, they have put the dogs before their own kids. These two ladies crawl into kennels with the Bull Terriers, hold and love them, also reassuring them when they are in pain, and cry while an old soul crosses the rainbow bridge. They patiently work with the broken souls and speak loving and gentle words into their ears. And when adopted, goodbyes are followed with silent tears of happiness.
Dania and Claire never take a day off, go on holiday, or spoil themselves. On more than one occasion, they have put the dogs before their own kids. These two ladies crawl into kennels with the Bull Terriers, hold and love them, also reassuring them when they are in pain, and cry while an old soul crosses the rainbow bridge. They patiently work with the broken souls and speak loving and gentle words into their ears. And when adopted, goodbyes are followed with silent tears of happiness.
Adora-Bull is lucky to have a few volunteers every day to walk dogs, and two dedicated kennel hands that are highly passionate about our Bull Terriers. They are the behind-the-scene heroes that clean after the dogs, fix their kennels, and take care of the property.
Adora Bull Terrier
Interesting Facts about Kennel Life
Per Year Walking the Bullies
Per Year for Playtime
Blankets Washed Per Year
Dogfood Consumed Yearly
Meaty Sauce Consumed Yearly
Polony Used for Training Yearly
Save a Life
Cluedo
We are honoured to take a moment to introduce you to Cluedo, an innocent and lovable dog who was once a beloved member of our rescue family. Cluedo was originally adopted from Adora-Bull during the early years of our rescue’s operation. The family who adopted him disclosed during the adoption process that they had cats in their home. However, they assured us that they would keep the cats separate from Cluedo and ensure that everyone lived in harmony.
A few weeks after the adoption, Adora-Bull Rescue contacted the family to follow up on Cluedo’s adjustment to his new home. It was during this call that we received the devastating news that Cluedo had injured one of the cats in the home. Although the cat survived the ordeal, Cluedo’s adopters made the unfortunate decision to put him to sleep. This tragic news shook our rescue community to its core, and we were left to grapple with the reality that this beloved dog’s life had been cut short due to an unfortunate and preventable incident.
We believe that Cluedo’s death was avoidable had he been returned to our rescue after the cat incident. By doing so, we could have worked to rehabilitate Cluedo and found him a new home where he could thrive and live out the rest of his life in happiness and safety. This event served as the catalyst for the strict adoption contracts that we now have in place with our adoptive families.
In honour of Cluedo, we created the Cluedo Outreach program. This program serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the importance of education about animal behaviour. We are dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership through education, outreach, and advocacy, so that no other animal has to suffer the same fate as Cluedo. Through this program, we hope to honour Cluedo’s life and legacy and ensure that his death was not in vain.
At Adora-Bull Terrier Rescue, our commitment to animal welfare and safety is unwavering. We understand the importance of finding loving and permanent homes for our rescue Bull Terriers, but we will never do so at the expense of another animal’s safety. Our policy is to never proceed with an adoption if there is any chance that a cat or any other animal may be at risk of harm.
Since 2013
Saving Bullies & Finding Homes
Our History
At our humble beginnings, we used to rent space on a farm and other boarding kennels located near Vereeniging. We never thought we would make it this far, but we did. Our kennels are now situated on a plot on the outskirts of Vereeniging, and we couldn’t be prouder.
Our new property and kennels are our pride and joy. We have 60 grass kennels that are comfortable and spacious, providing the dogs with a safe and secure environment. In addition, we have 3 exercise runs with a fully equipped training area, ensuring that our dogs get enough exercise and stimulation. We also have a quarantine area for the very ill, a mum & pups’ room, and enough space and buildings to still do a lot of expanding. We believe that the possibilities are endless and that we can secure a bigger and better future for the rescue and help our breed.
We have moved all our Bull Terriers to one central location, where our kennel staff, led by Dania Skone, resides full-time to tend to the dogs’ needs 24/7. We know that our Bull Terriers are in safe hands, and we cannot be asked to leave. We take pride in the fact that we can provide our dogs with the best care possible, and our kennels are a testament to our commitment to our breed.
April 2018. Moving in day
October 2018. Almost completed…..
April 2020. Home is where the heart is, and still growing…..
May 2018. Start of building our kennels
January 2019. Starting to feel like Home…..
Our Capacity As A Rescue Centre For Bull Terriers
Our organization, Adora-Bull Terrier Rescue and Rehabilitation, is currently responsible for the direct and indirect care of 50 to 70 Bull Terriers. While we have our own kennels located in Vereeniging, there are also Bull Terriers waiting to be moved to us from boarding kennels across Gauteng. However, this comes with an additional cost to our rescue.
At present, we have a waiting list of Bull Terriers that need to be relocated to our kennels in Vereeniging. In addition, there are around 30 Bull Terriers that are not currently in our care, but still need to be rehomed for various reasons. We also monitor the situation of Bull Terriers that have been surrendered to kill shelters and do our best to move them to a safe environment before they reach their time limit in the shelter.
Sadly, the need for animal rescue is growing and the safety of these animals is continually at risk. There are more dogs in need than our current capacity allows us to help. Nevertheless, we are determined to make a difference.
Sadly, the need for animal rescue is growing and the safety of these animals is continually at risk. There are more dogs in need than our current capacity allows us to help. Nevertheless, we are determined to make a difference.
We understand that there is still so much work to be done, but we remain committed to the cause. By continuing to take in and care for as many Bull Terriers as we can, and by finding loving homes for these dogs, we hope to make a positive impact on the lives of these animals and the community as a whole.
In Conclusion
In 2012, our Adora-Bull Terrier Rescue and Rehabilitation organization began with a humble R2,000 in the bank and just a few kennels. At the time, many were unaware of our existence. But fast forward 11 years later, we have evolved into a fully functional organization, with established and well-maintained kennels, a growing number of dedicated supporters, and a solid reputation in the animal rescue community.
Compared to some other animal shelters, we may be a small team, but like our beloved Bull Terriers, we are always up for a challenge! We are determined and persistent, and we demand attention. Our hearts are as big as they come, and we are willing to make any sacrifice and go to any lengths to help those in need. To all of us involved in this organization, it has become an integral part of our very souls, ingrained in our day-to-day existence.
We want to express our sincerest gratitude for taking the time to read about our organization and for considering supporting us in our mission. It is through the kindness and generosity of individuals like you that we are able to continue making a difference in the lives of these wonderful animals.