in-cyprus 19 February 2020 -Edited by Josephine Koumettou
Dog trainer David Reid from Achna will spend four nights in a cage with dogs at the Aradippou Dog Shelter as part of the project ‘One Man’s Rescue’ to raise awareness on rescue dogs’ physical and emotional ordeal when placed in a shelter environment.
During his stay at the shelter, that will start on February 24, Reid will use a sleeping bag, eat field exercise food donated by the British Military, be let out while the cage is cleaned and use his phone once a day to report his experiences to ELAFI Animal Welfare Awards, co-organisers of the project, who will post daily updates on the project’s blog.
The entire process will be filmed and then turned into a short film to promote the initiative and share the outcome at the end of the campaign.
“Yeah, I know. I am crazy,” Reid said but added that he is determined to show “there is more to dogs than just four legs and a head.”
“I want to show people what it’s like to live in a cage for extended periods of time through the point of view of the dogs, spread awareness and rehome some of the older dogs who have been in the shelter for years.
“I am going to experience exactly what the dogs are thinking and feeling during their day in a cage, and what it does to your mental health,” he concluded.
Reid will share a cage with senior and disabled dogs who have been in the shelter for years and will take the opportunity to work with them as a trainer to help them overcome their fears and prepare them for life outside the shelter when they find homes.
Pictured: David Reid visits the dogs at Aradippou Dog Shelter ahead of the project.
