Deidre Brock MP was greeted to a wagging tail reception during her recent visit to Dog Trust’s West Calder Rehoming Centre.
The MP for Edinburgh North and Leith was given a tour by Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre Manager Susan Tonner which included seeing the new peaceful garden area designed by the team at BBC’s Beechgrove Garden. Deidre met with current residents including lurcher Phoebe, who has since gone on to find a loving new home.
During the visit, Deidre and Susan chatted about the unprecedented numbers of enquiries the charity is receiving from worried dog owners considering giving up their dogs due to current financial pressures, the impact this is having on rehoming and the need for more foster carers so as many dogs as possible can be helped.
Also discussed was the importance of the imminent return of the Kept Animals Bill to the Houses of Parliament and the impact this change in legislation could have on dog welfare and puppy smuggling.
Speaking about her visit, Deidre Brock MP, said: “I am very grateful to the staff at Dogs Trust West Calder for taking the time to give me a tour of their wonderful facilities. It was a pleasure to meet Susan and the team who are working tirelessly to provide a better life for their residents as they journey to forever homes.
“The centre is facing unprecedented demand for their services, with pandemic pups still being handed over frequently as people return to work, and as cost-of-living concerns continue to grow, this may put more pressure on dog owners.
“Further to this, the delay of The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill has allowed the illegal trade of puppies to continue, putting the welfare of young puppies and pregnant mums at risk. I fully support Dogs Trust’s recommendation for visual checks for dogs entering the country via ports and the Eurotunnel and hope for this to be introduced as secondary legislation when the Bill returns to Parliament.”
Dog Trust Rehoming Centre Manager Susan Tonner said: “We were delighted to welcome Deidre to West Calder Rehoming Centre. Deidre showed real and passionate interest in the dogs in our care and, also in the issues we are currently facing.
“It was a pleasure to show Deidre some of the specialist behavioural work our four-legged friends require before they are made available for rehoming and to chat about our vital Home from Home fostering scheme which enables us to rehome more dogs throughout Scotland. We are extremely grateful to have her support, interest and understanding in our work finding new homes for rescue dogs.”
Dogs Trust is urgently seeking foster carers in particular for dogs that are more difficult to find forever homes for, such as big dogs and dogs with challenging behaviour. If you think you can offer a dog in need a temporary home while the UK is in financial crisis, please call 01506 874 028 or email HFHWestCalder@dogstrust.org.uk
Anyone interested in rehoming can click here: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/
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