Cites A Kennelmaid to Our Dogs, 'A Plea for Kennelmaids', Our Dogs 77 (8th Nov. 1929), p. 413.
Description:

‘Sir,- Following my letter in Our Dogs on the subject of a Kennelmaids’ Association, I received a letter from Miss Alice Walshe setting forth a project which had evidently been in her mind some time and incorporated in her letter to you published last week.

Under the circumstances, I feel there is nothing for me to do but retire gracefully, at the same time offering any assistance and advice she may at any time require from me. I have forwarded her the letters I have received in this connection, and doubtlessly she will in due course reply to them.

Thanking you for your courtesy in publishing this correspondence, - Yours, etc.,

Adeline M. Ackerman.’

 

Relevant passage from A Kennelmaid:

‘Sir,- Will you allow me, through the medium of your excellent paper, to make a plea on behalf of the many girls who are doing kennel work as a livelihood? It is time a kennelmaid’s club or union was formed which would look after their interests. Few girls go in for kennel work unless they are really fond of dogs and prepared to work hard. Of course, there must be posts where a kennelmaid’s work is appreciated and a good home and wage provided. But in the majority of cases the kennelmaid is overworked, badly paid and fed, and seldom shown any consideration. Even their bedrooms are used as kennels. They are not considered real dog lovers if they have any interests outside their work. They are not even supposed to sew or read if they by any chance have finished their kennel work before bedtime. Surely even a most inexperienced girl should be paid at least ten shillings a week if she works well and is keen to learn. An allowance should be made for kennel overalls, Wellington boots, and a good warm waterproof coat. Every girl should have an hour free daily and a weekly half day or an occasional week-end. If the kennelmaid lives with the family she should be treated kindly and allowed to enter into their conversation and amusements when her work is finished, not snubbed and made to feel out of everything. If she does not live with the family she should at least have a comfortable, clean bed-sittingroom, with a fire in cold weather, and good wholesome meals decently served. I also think that a hot daily bath is essential.

Girls with private means can afford to take posts with small salaries just for experience, but what is to become of girls like myself, who are obliged to earn their own living, and do not like town life. I am a great lover of dogs and all animals, a real country girl, but well educated and a gentlewoman. I am really keen and interested, and a good clean worker, with a fair amount of experience and most anxious to get on. I am willing to help with any outdoor work, and I have a happy nature, but I cannot get a good post myself, and know of several girls who have had to go and work in towns and give up kennelwork, although they were ideally suited for it. I feel that if you will publish my letter you will be doing a great kindness to all kennelmaids, and may perhaps make their employers spare a thought from their dogs for the young girls who look after them. – Yours, etc.,

A Kennelmaid.’