Please help a chained dog have a better life and a healthier living environment

I first met Lhasa in New Caledonia,she belonged to my neighbour. Lhasa is a two year old Siberian Husky who has spent most of her life permanently attached to a 1.5 meter chain. The chain was attached to a metal stake in the driveway next to a corrugated shed that she could enter for shelter. Lhasa received food and water but was never walked, had no social company (apart from feeding time) and was never, ever let off the chain. The only scent she smelled was her own waste (although this was always removed by the owner when it started to accumulate). The other sad part part of the story is that New Caledonia is very hot and humid; not an appropriate climate for a Siberian Husky.

Witnessing Lhasa chained to a metal stake, day-in day-out, broke my heart. I asked the owners if I could walk their dog. Unfortunately they wouldn't allow this, as she was not allowed off the chain, but I was allowed to pat her. So each day for the next two weeks I visited her, so she at least had some social company. Then surprisingly, the owners approached me and asked if I wanted to buy her. Lhasa is now my dog. I have purchased her, had her spayed, vaccinated and treated for heart-worm. She is currently in foster care in New Caledonia- where she still has to be chained up as she has no training and no recall, but now at least receives a short daily walk and a pat. Lhasa will remain in foster-care in New Caledonia until I am able to raise (and save) sufficient funds to bring her home to New Zealand.

I would like to raise money to bring Lhasa home to NZ and provide her with a better quality of life. This will not not be an easy task and will involve, re-training, rehabilitation, kindness and patience; as there are many things this dog has never experienced (e.g. been habituated or socialized to). This is the story of one chained dog. However, there are many permanently chained dogs in New Caledonia, where dogs are often utilized in a protection role.

There are a number of serious welfare issues associated with permanent chaining, including neglect, social isolation, and physical and psychological health issues. Beyond helping Lhasa, I would like to do some ground work in New Caledonia and provide free dog training workshops and educational information to people in the local area on basic companion animal welfare, husbandry and ethical training techniques. I have made contact with two local vets who are interested in providing educational opportunities for local dog owners and are willing to serve as a host. Community education on the topic of animal welfare is critical in reducing and preventing animal cruelty.

All contributions will go directly towards the required veterinary checks and importation of Lhasa to New Zealand, and the process of establishing a locally relevant dog-welfare education program for use in veterinary clinics in the region of New Caledonia that Lhasa has been rescued from. A sincere thank you to anyone interested in this 'drop in the ocean' animal welfare venture.