See Spot saved

Hokay, so we've had Magic (Bear) for six months now. And we think he's happy. He certainly looks goofy enough to be either very happy or a very good doggy liar.

So this post is just to get everyone reading to think about rescue Maremmas.

I know from experience that many (if not all) of you help wherever possible to save them when you can.

But what do we know about the number of rescues in New Zealand per year? We may be looking at six a year, or is it twice that number?

We also know that the rescues are throughout New Zealand, and mostly centered around urban areas. Excessive barking and a lack of quality attention to their needs is almost always involved.

Can anyone here contribute to our knowledge of the problem? If talking to the breeders and sellers is needed, can we pinpoint specific areas of NZ which need some focus? Can we mitigate the risk of abandoned or surrendered dogs being put down through a stronger support network?
For those of you who haven't seen an abused or neglected Maremma - the image is of Magic just after we saved him from being put down.

He's the one in front. He's older than Kyle (in the background), yet weighed a quarter less. His fur was so far gone that we basically just saw his skin. His dew claws were like curved knives.

And all this was after he was very well looked after and cared for at a pound for six weeks.

It makes you think, doesn't it?