An animal lover, who works as the housekeeper at a Newmarket stud, has rescued more than 1,000 bull dogs since setting up a charity from her Soham home eight years ago.
De Randall has rescued 1,140 bull dogs from appalling conditions across the UK and as far away as China, then funded their vet bills and found them new lives in happy homes.
What started as a small idea has turned into an international network called the Edward Foundation, with her own team of 300 volunteers across the UK and now involves rescuing bull dogs from Beijing where she says the cruelty is unimaginable.
De, housekeeper at Lanwades, is on a rescue mission but also sends a strong message to anyone considering buying a bull dog puppy.
“Please check who you are buying from and please consider adopting a rescue animal who needs a loving home,” she said.
De started in 2011 when she was part of a bull dog chat forum in 2011 and thought it would be a good idea to help rescue a dog called Edward.
“That bright idea grew, but I never knew it would get this big,” she said.
“I’ve seen some terrible things over the years. Horrible cruel treatment of dogs but I’ve had to learn to toughen up.
“What use am I, if I am a crying wreck?
“It is heart breaking, but also coupled with the joy of knowing I’ve given that dog a new start in life, with a wonderful family.”
She set up her charity, Edward Foundation, in honour of her first bull dog rescued and spends hours, in between her day job, taking calls, answering Facebook messages and coordinating the rescue and care for the animal breed she loves, including sorting payment of the vet bills.
“In 2017/18 my vet bills topped £111,000,” she said.
“All dogs are nursed back to health, neutered and chipped. We get a lot of support from brilliant vets and generous donations.”
Her latest mission has seen her rescue eight bull dogs from China plus a disabled Tibetan Mastif called Elsa who she fell in love with.
“Elsa’s back legs do not work at all. She has a special wheel device to help her get around. She was found dumped in a dreadful state at the side of the road.
“In China they wont put a dog to sleep even if their suffering is extreme. I saw Elsa and fell in love.
“She is 55kg of pure gorgeous and loving natured dog. Tibetan Mastifs are considered the most expensive in the world. She is only around two years old so I’ve no idea how this has happened to her.
“She will stay in quarantine for three months and will then be flown to Paris where we’ll collect her and take her to her foster home to prepare for her new life.”
The Chinese dogs are rescued with the help of American rescue, The Little Adoption Shop, while she also deals with other bull dogs rescues around the globe.
“The happiness of giving dogs a wonderful new life is priceless,” De said.
• To find out more about the Edward Foundation visit the web site. They are always looking for more volunteers and fund raisers.
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