If you are anticipating a post about a pampering, relaxing day at a spa in the magnificent city of Carcassonne, you might be disappointed. On the other hand, if you love dogs and cats you will, hopefully, enjoy this post.

SPA stands for Société Protectrice des Animaux and is the equivalent of the RSPCA. In Carcassone there is also the Dog Rescue Carcassonne. DRC is, basically, the English-speaking interface of the SPA Carcassonne. The main aim of the association is to find homes for the dogs at the SPA Carcassonne.

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The first Sunday of every month, there is an open day at the centre and I couldn’t wait to go! Monsieur FF came too. Although, he is also a dog lover, I think he had visions of me returning with a whole pack of hounds. I don’t blame him. I used to volunteer at a greyhound and lurcher rescue centre and surprise, surprise – we did end up with a dog who became a wonderful addition to our family, joining our Flatcoat Retriever.

The rescue centre is on the outskirts of Carcassonne, not far from the hospital. We were welcomed by a lovely Scottish lady who gave us a tour of the centre. There were dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages. Many are accommodated with another canine companion but not all. Many have had very sad lives up to this time; it really does break your break your heart. However, you cannot underestimate the time and effort that is put into finding the appropriate homes for the dogs. There was a lot of barking but there would be, after all, they all wanted to get our attention.

Not only does the centre care for dogs, there are about two hundred cats as well. As a family, we’ve also had cats, so I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to visit the cat ‘wing’. Wow! So many beautiful cats, every size, shape, colour, fur type…

After the tour, we were able to walk two of the residents. We were so pleased to be able to walk Liquorice and Kalou:

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These signs are attached to every kennel. They give some information about the history and the nature of each dog.

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Black dogs and cats are often overlooked at rescue centres, the world over.

We thoroughly enjoyed our walk around the fields that are behind the centre.

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Obviously, the dogs cannot be let off the lead but it is a wonderful opportunity for them to have some time out of their enclosures.

I was very taken with this male and female Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. It is a breed I have never come across before. The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog was a result of an experimental crossing between a Carpathian Wolf and a German Shepherd dog in 1958. This pair will need to be rehomed together and will need a very special type of home and owner. Here’s link incase you would like to find out more about the breed:

https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/czechoslovakianwolfdog.htm 

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Since our first visit, we have been back and done some more dog walking. Something we hope to be able to do on a regular basis when we are in France.

I would love to foster a dog but it is impossible with our current back and forth to the U.K.  However, I am over the moon that there is the possibility of fostering some kittens. This would mean having some kittens after they have had their first inoculation. They would stay (indoors) with us for three weeks before having their next jab. We’d obviously have to give them lots of attention, strokes and cuddles to help with their socialisation!! Fingers crossed that it works out…

If you have a minute, do look at the rescue’s website:

http://dogrescuecarcassonne.co.uk/

Happily, since I first wrote this post, Kalou has been rehomed.

I am linking this post with #AllAboutFrance.

Do have a look if you want to read lots of interesting posts connected with France.