Rescue canines that go together like peanut butter and jelly are the recipe for a happy home

Maxie and Meika, two Staffordshire Bull Terriers who have lived most of their lives together, recently came into the care of Dogs Trust’s Rehoming Centre in West Calder.

This inseparable duo is looking for a loving owner to give them both a home where they can spend their twilight years together, as their combined age of 23 makes them around 130 in human years. Continue reading Rescue canines that go together like peanut butter and jelly are the recipe for a happy home

Can you help ‘lead’ the way in canine welfare as a rescue dog volunteer?

Local Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre in West Calder is looking for volunteers to come onboard and lend a paw to help the canine residents in their care. The team has a number of volunteering roles to be filled, which includes canine care assistants and volunteer receptionists. Continue reading Can you help ‘lead’ the way in canine welfare as a rescue dog volunteer?

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

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

Are you the missing piece in a recue dog’s life?

Inspired by Channels 4’s Lego Masters, staff at Dogs Trust West Calder have been competing to build their own dogs made completely from Lego. The team embarked on this project after realising building a Lego structure and building a new life for a rescue dog could have some similarities. Continue reading Are you the missing piece in a recue dog’s life?

Undercover investigation reveals magnitude of horrifying puppy smuggling trade

The UK’s largest dog welfare charity is calling on the government to take urgent action to stop the illegal importation of puppies into the UK as Brexit approaches. This follows an undercover investigation which exposes the magnitude and ease of trade routes into the UK for European smugglers. Continue reading Undercover investigation reveals magnitude of horrifying puppy smuggling trade