Woman is 'forever grateful' to Balmore staff after moving north with her dog to escape abusive relationship
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A WOMAN, who moved to Caithness with her pet dog to get away from an abusive relationship, will be "forever grateful" to the staff at the Balmore animal centre.
She said they helped her through "a horrific situation" which resulted in her having to part with the dog for its own safety. She was worried her pet would be harmed or stolen by her former partner after he discovered where she lived and threatened her and her dog.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, told her story to highlight the valued role the facility played in the community.
The animal rescue and rehoming centre is being closed by the Scottish SPCA, along with one in Ayr. In September, the SSPCA said the Caithness centre would close at the end of the month but all the animals have been removed now and the premises will be handed back to their owners on October 31.
The decision to close Balmore came as shock to the community and campaigners, local councillors, politicians as well as the Caithness Courier and John O' Groat Journal are fighting to try and save the facility.
The woman felt "incredibly emotional" as the last animals were transported south and wanted to share her story. She
moved to the far north some years ago to get away from an abusive situation but her former partner found out where she stayed and threatened her and said he would break into the house and take the dog.
After consulting the SSPCA and the police, it was decided the best way to protect the dog was to hand it over to the SSPCA and get it rehomed rather than "live in the house that was filled with anxiety and fear."
"It certainly was not an easy decision to make or come to terms with and every day I think about her. However, when I think about her, I think about the staff at Balmore, too. When I first met them, I sat in the wee office and cried and cried over the decision I had to make. I explained the full situation to the staff and there was not one ounce of judgment from them, especially on me having to part with my beloved pet. They let me sit and cry and constantly reassured me she would be okay, which I completely trusted and believed. They also made sure I was safe and okay which again I completely appreciate."
The woman added: "Even when I officially signed her over to them (again with a lot of tears), they didn’t cut contact between myself and her. I was able to come visit her when I wanted and was offered the opportunity to take her for walks/play with her in the outside area. They kept me updated throughout the entire process and promised me they would make sure she went to the best home possible and she absolutely did.
"I’m still heartbroken over the decision I had to make and having to part with my pet but I want to say a massive thank you to everyone at Balmore who at that time understood what a horrific situation we were in and helped us. I’m forever grateful to them."
Thurso and northeast Caithness councillor Ron Gunn said the story illustrates the good work which was going on in the background at Balmore.
He said: "There was a lot of things being done there. It was not just about abandoned pets. The centre did a lot of work with schools and other groups on education and a range of other things."
Councillor Gunn described the closure of the centre as "a blow to the local community" and hopes it can be re-opened. He understood one of the reasons for the closure was the facility needed to be upgraded but he felt if the SSPCA had let that be known, the public would have helped to find the money if it meant the facility could remain open. "I am quite sure they would have got a good response and the money could have been found," he added.
A Scottish SPCA spokesman said: "We are always saddened to hear when people and pets have suffered as a result of domestic abuse and are glad to hear that in this case our team were able to help. Through our helpline and inspectorate we’ve intervened to help hundreds of animals and people experiencing abuse throughout our history.
"Sadly, domestic abuse is all too often linked to violence towards animals. One of our flagship campaigns, Break the Link, aims to highlight this connection and break the cycle of abuse. Pets can often become a tool used by an abuser to exploit or control the people they are harming."
He added: "We would encourage anyone who fears for the safety of their pet due to domestic abuse to contact our free animal helpline in confidence and we will help. They will be treated with dignity and respect, and we will make sure their pet is well-cared for."
The Balmore centre comprised eight dog kennels, six cattery spaces, six small animal spaces and room as well as numerous rabbit hutches.
In addition, there was a washroom for cleaning oiled birds and domestic animals plus a holding facility for wild animals to stay until they could be transported to the National Wildlife Rescue Centre for medical treatment.
