Tag: animal welfare

Dog control legislation not fit for purpose, say MSPs

MSPs on the Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee have today said that current dog control legislation isn’t fit for purpose and called on the Scottish Government to undertake a comprehensive review of all dog control laws immediately. Continue reading Dog control legislation not fit for purpose, say MSPs

Rescue dogs get a taste of Hollywood in a bid to find forever homes

Dogs Trust West Calder creates Hollywood Walk of Fame 

Rescue dogs at Dogs Trust’s Rehoming Centre in West Calder have been getting a taste of Hollywood with their own special paw print on the centre’s ‘Walk of Fame’. Continue reading Rescue dogs get a taste of Hollywood in a bid to find forever homes

Letters: Thank You from Cats Protection

Dear Editor,

This Volunteers Week (1-7 June), I would like to take the opportunity to thank our fantastic volunteers who give so much of their time, skill and dedication for the benefit of cats in our care.

At Cats Protection we were grateful to involve over 11,200 volunteers during 2018. Volunteers are truly the foundation and life-blood of the charity. Whether volunteering in our shops or populating our social media channels; researching advocacy campaigns or fostering kittens, they ensure that every day we move closer to our vision of a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Without them, we would not have been able to help rehome or reunite 44,000 cats and neuter around 143,000. Nor would we have delivered 1,693 education talks to 52,343 people. They are vital to every aspect of everything we achieve.

I would also like to thank players of People’s Postcode Lottery who are supporting volunteering across England, Scotland and Wales. Their support for our Volunteer Team Leaders means that we can share best practice through our adoption centres and out to our network of volunteer branches and shops.

We will be sharing a new animation for Volunteers’ Week on our social media channels about the many volunteering roles available with us and would love to hear from cat lovers who would like to help cats locally. They can visit www.cats.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering to find out more.

Yours sincerely,

Julie Meredith

Head of Volunteering Development

Cats Protection, National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath RH17 7TT

Dogs Trust free event: Local dog rescue needs your help

Volunteer recruitment event at Dogs Trust in West Lothian

Dogs Trust West Calder is hosting a volunteer recruitment event on Sunday 19th May 2019 open to anyone wishing to help make a difference to the lives and welfare of dogs. Continue reading Dogs Trust free event: Local dog rescue needs your help

Rescue puppies new start thanks to motherly love

A litter of rescue puppies are now ready to go off to their new homes – thanks to the help of their foster ‘mums’ on Dogs Trust’s Home From Home programme.

The four male Lurcher cross puppies arrived as part of an unplanned litter, when their owner, who realised they could not take care of them, acted responsibly and brought them into the care of Dogs Trust West Calder.

The pups were immediately placed with volunteer foster carer Janet, who hand-reared them during the pivotal first weeks of their life. After three weeks, another fantastic foster carer, Linda, took over as foster mum and continued to give the puppies all the love they needed, including much-needed socialisation and regular vet check-ups. Thanks to the care and love they received from Janet and Linda, the puppies are now almost eight weeks old and ready to start new lives in their first – and hopefully final – homes.

Linda, who has been caring for the awesome foursome alongside her husband Michael, said: “I’ve definitely felt like a surrogate mother over the last month or so, and like any parent will say, even though my babies might be a lot of work, I wouldn’t change them for the world!

“The puppies have been a joy to look after and it has been a fantastic experience, being able to see their little personalities shine through as they grow. It is sad to see them go but I love knowing how much of a positive impact I’ve had on their lives and it is so rewarding to think they are going off to be part of a family that will cherish them as much as I have.”

Stephen Thomson, Home From Home Co-ordinator at Dogs Trust West Calder said: “Both Janet and Linda have provided all the motherly love and care the pups needed and now all four of the playful little lads are thriving and are ready to move in with their new families this weekend.

“Although it might be the end of their time in foster care, they are just beginning their exciting adventure as part of a permanent family. There are still plenty of dogs at the rehoming centre who could benefit from a loving new home or time in foster care, so we would love to find lots more surrogate mums and dads to take on a pet, either on a permanent or temporary basis.”

Dogs Trust’s Home from Home Foster programme was developed to give dog lovers who are not in a position to adopt on a permanent basis, the opportunity to experience the rewards of dog ownership on a temporary basis; helping homeless hounds experience life in a home environment. All foster families receive full support and advice regarding the dog in their care.

If you would like more information on becoming a foster carer, or are interested in adopting a rescue dog, please give the West Calder centre a call on 01506536840 or visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/our-centres/west-calder