Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, over £12 million has been awarded to Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, since the partnership first began in 2013.
Six years ago, People’s Postcode Lottery set out to support the charity in their vision to improve the dog welfare landscape in the UK and have a lasting impact for millions of dogs, including the 15,000 dogs the charity cares for each year through its network of rehoming centres across the UK.
The money raised so far by lottery players has allowed the charity to invest in extra highly skilled and passionate staff in several different rehoming centres including at Dogs Trust West Calder.
The extra pair of hands come in the form of Canine Carers, Greeting Staff, Transfer Drivers, Maintenance Operatives, Training and Behaviour Advisors and Assistants, Volunteer Co-ordinators, Foster Home Co-ordinators, Vet Nurses and Assistants and Hydrotherapists.
All of these roles play a vital part in ensuring dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages receive all the TLC they need whilst they wait to meet their forever families.
Bert Hunter from the West Calder Rehoming Centre, (pictured above), is just one of the Maintenance Officers to have joined the Dogs Trust team thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
He said: “I absolutely love my job. The bond I get to develop with the dogs and the team is second to none and it’s wonderful being able to share my passion and knowledge.”
The money has also helped enable the charity to maintain and improve its rehoming centre facilities, with funds currently contributing towards the redevelopment of its Darlington rehoming centre into a world-class facility that will better cater to the needs of thousands of dogs, staff and visitors in the North East.
Jim Monteith, Interim Chief Executive at Dogs Trust said: “We are incredibly grateful for the phenomenal level of support we receive from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
“Our achievements over the last six years are testament to this support and can be seen in the day to day running of our 20 rehoming centres across the UK, with our amazing staff and the work they do with our dogs to get them ready to find their special someone.
“Every pound raised has been vital in allowing us to look after the canines in our care and to improve our centres. We’re really looking forward to hitting future milestones together and supporting more dogs than ever before. Thank you.”
Since the partnership began the charity has seen an 84% decrease in the number of stray dogs put to sleep, established Dogs Trust Dogs School and rehomed more than 72,000 dogs.
Hazel Johnstone, from the charities team at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Tens of thousands of dogs have been given a brighter future thanks to the funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
“It’s been a real privilege to work with Dogs Trust over the past six years and I’m proud that our players have supported the brilliant team at Dogs Trust to connect so many loveable dogs with their new families.”
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