Tag: Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home are hoping to find Niall the Doberman cross a forever home this Christmas

EDCH, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

As part of its Winter Appeal, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is urging the public to help animals like Niall, a two-year-old Doberman cross, find a loving home this Christmas.

When Niall arrived at the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, he was skin and bones, covered in wounds and frightened of the world around him. Found as a stray, his future was uncertain, but with expert veterinary care, routine and patience, Niall has made a remarkable recovery. Once reserved and wary, he is now beginning to show his true personality and learning to trust again, a powerful example of what the right care and support can achieve.

Now settled into life at the Home, Niall’s confidence continues to grow. Once he has built a bond, he is incredibly affectionate and will happily curl up for a cuddle, despite his size. He is goofy, full of energy and loves racing around with his toys, enjoying every chance to play and interact with the people he knows and trusts.

This Christmas, Niall’s journey is at the heart of the charity’s ‘Nowhere Like Home’ Winter Appeal, a campaign inspired by the idea that every animal deserves a safe place to belong. The Home is highlighting the path stray and surrendered animals take as they journey towards a loving forever home. But for many animals that arrive at the Home, that journey can only continue with public support.

The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home currently receives around 40 calls every day from pet owners seeking help. Between January and October this year, the charity accepted 301 animals, with 141 of them arriving as strays, just like Niall. During the same period, the Home received 700 surrender requests, highlighting the growing pressures facing pet owners across East and Central Scotland.

With operational costs at an all-time high and more than 300 new arrivals already this year, the charity is aiming to raise £200,000 through its Winter Appeal to ensure animals like Niall continue to receive lifesaving care.

With no government funding, the Home relies entirely on the generosity of its supporters to keep its doors open and is deeply grateful to everyone who has supported its work over the past year

Niall is now looking for an experienced owner who has had large dogs before and can continue working on his confidence at a steady pace. He would thrive in an adult only home where he can be the only pet, with a private garden to call his own. As he can find being left alone difficult, Niall will need someone who can keep him company throughout the day while he learns that time alone is okay.

Amelia Morgan, CEO at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said: “Every animal deserves to know the comfort and safety of a warm, loving home, especially at Christmas. Niall’s story shows what is possible when kindness and care come together, but there are so many more animals who still need our help.

“The need for our services continues to escalate, and it is only through the generosity of our supporters that we have been able to help both pet owners and their beloved animals. Demand is high, and we need to be able to do more.”

Donations to the Winter Appeal make an immediate and tangible difference. £20 can help give a dog or cat their chance to find a loving home, £50 can help pay for lifesaving medicine and expert veterinary care, and £100 can help provide warmth, shelter and ongoing care during the winter months.

For Niall, this Christmas is about healing, hope and the chance of a new beginning. For hundreds of other dogs and cats, the Winter Appeal can make that difference in them finally finding their forever home.

To support the Winter Appeal, visit edch.org.uk/winterappeal, call 0131 669 5331, or text COSY to 70058 to donate £10.

Over 100 Santa’s Little Helpers assembled at Edinburgh’s Christmas’ Santa Paws charity event

Edinburgh’s Christmas’ Santa Paws event attracted over 100 dogs in festive outfits. The event took place on Sunday, 7 December in West Princes Street Gardens, the city’s premier family destination this festive season. It raised awareness of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, a local charity which was also fundraising at the event.

Furry friends (and their humans) also enjoyed games, photo opportunities with Santa’s elves, pet stalls including Bowzos Bows and Pure Pet Food and took part in a best dressed dog parade with winners chosen by the organisers: 3rd place went to Pisco, 2nd to Luigi and 1st to Winton.

The charity event raised funds for Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, which strives to support families who need help caring for their pets at home, as well as providing loving care, rehabilitation and rehoming services for animals who can no longer be cared for by their owners.

Santa Paws took place after the annual Santa Fun Run, also in West Princes Street Gardens, which each year raises funds for When You Wish Upon A Star, who grant the wishes of children aged 4–16 living with life-threatening or terminal illnesses.

The eventful, family friendly afternoon brought festive joy to all who attended, raising money for two important charities.

Life Raluy, Development Manager at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home said: “Today’s Santa Run and Santa Paws gathering was a fantastic celebration of people and their pets coming together for a great cause.

“We may not have broken a record this time, but the atmosphere was full of joy, kindness and community spirit. Every person — and every dog in a festive jumper — helped raise vital funds and awareness for animals who need us.

“We’re so thankful to everyone who joined us and made today so special.”

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home aims to raise £200,000 to help them as costs continue to soar

Help Every Dog Follow The Yellow Brick Road to a Loving Home

  • Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home launches heartwarming Winter Appeal and issues an urgent call for support
  • The charity receives 40 calls per day with pet owners seeking support
  • Nearly half of the animals accepted by the Home between January and October this year were strays

Animals at the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home don’t need a wizard to change their life – just love, care and much needed donations to the charity’s Winter Appeal.

‘Nowhere Like Home’ is the heartwarming new campaign from the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, inspired by the timeless story of finding your way back to where you belong. To bring the campaign to life, the charity has lovingly recreated a “homely” yellow brick road adaptation using household items that metaphorically leads surrendered dogs and cats to their forever home.

This year, the charity has faced a high number of animal admissions, with over 300 new arrivals between January and October 2025, coinciding with all-time high operational costs. This year the charity aims to raise £200,000, making this their biggest appeal ever, to help them continue to provide vital care for animals in need.

The Winter Appeal is critical, as it helps the charity sustain its operations and provide essential services. In the first 10 months of 2025 the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home rehomed or reunited 193 pets. They accepted 301 pets, 141 of these were strays, but they received 700 surrender requests which, unfortunately, demonstrates the urgent need for their services.

Between January and October this year, the Home provided 539,149 pet meals (the equivalent of the population of Edinburgh) to dogs and cats in East and Central Scotland to protect their loving homes. This is just 50% of the demand that they received.

The Home is appealing to members of the public, businesses and groups to get involved and show love and warmth to the animals who rely on its vital support by donating funds to their Winter Appeal. 

Communities can also get involved – for example, by hosting a pet food drive, or organising a fundraising Christmas jumper day or even daring to face the cold dip challenge – all helping to raise vital funds and significantly helping pet owners from having to surrender their beloved pets.

Jamie Simpson, CEO at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said: “Every animal deserves to know the comfort and safety of a warm home.  Your support with our Winter Appeal can help to change their story and make that happen for the dogs and cats in our care.

“The need for our services continues to escalate, and it’s through the kindness of our supporters that we’ve been able to assist both pet owners and their beloved animals.  But demand is high, and we need to be able to help more dogs and cats.

“Every donation counts,” he continued. “£50 can help pay for lifesaving medicine and expert medical care for a neglected dog or cat. A donation of £100 could help pay for warmth, shelter and the care they need, and £20 could help pay for their chance to find their loving home.”

To support the Winter Appeal, please visit https://edch.org.uk/winterappeal call 0131 669 5331 or text COSY to 70058 to donate £10.

Pets Foundation support for Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

We’re thrilled to share some good news! Earlier this year, we were successful in receiving grant funding from Pets Foundation! 🙌

This multi-year funding will help part-fund our dedicated Foodbank Coordinator role, ensuring that our Pet Food Bank can continue to support pet owners across our community.

Since launching in 2019, our Pet Food Bank has provided essential meals to owners facing financial difficulties, illness, homelessness, or domestic abuse.

Last year alone, we provided 674,734 meals to pets in need!

Thanks to this funding, we can continue keeping pets where they belong – at home, with their families.🏡

Kiltwalk: Forever by her side

Rescue Dog’s Memory Lives On Through Kiltwalk Fundraiser for the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

A team of 29 dedicated supporters will be taking on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk on Sunday 14 September to raise vital funds for the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home.

Among them is Angelika, who adopted Moose — a Jack Russell who had spent 137 days in the Home’s care — back in 2019.

Last year, Angelika walked the Edinburgh Kiltwalk in support of the charity. This year, she returns to the Kiltwalk with Moose’s ashes in her backpack, honouring her memory and continuing their journey together in spirit.

A confident and bubbly 9-year-old pup, Moose went to the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home when her owners could no longer look after her.  Rehomed by Angelika and Matthew, Moose had lots of adventures with her new family, visiting many European countries, including Germany and Austria, and she loved going on camping trips with them in the Scottish Highlands.

Moose passed away in July, having been diagnosed with cancer two years previously, but Angelika said she lived a happy life right to the end:

“I will never forget the feeling of meeting her for the first time.  We fell in love, and we were wrapped around her paw straight away!

“She was always in the kitchen, between my legs watching me, so the first-time cooking when she wasn’t there was very hard for me.  She was our best friend, our family.”

Last year Angelika did the Kiltwalk in support of the Home and enjoyed it so much that this year she decided to complete both the Glasgow and Edinburgh walks with Matthew and Moose. In April they finished the Glasgow walk.

Angelika remembers: “We had to get up early in the morning and Moose wasn’t a morning riser, but we had to get to Glasgow and she was like ‘are you kidding me?’ But she did it! And at the end of the day she was so happy she got her favourite meal afterwards.”

Angelika will be completing the Edinburgh Kiltwalk on Sunday 14 September and will carry Moose’s ashes in her backpack in memory of her beloved best friend. 

Angelika explained, “She won’t be there, but I still want to take her ashes with me.  She should still be part of the whole process, so I’m going to carry her ashes in my rucksack. 

“It will be difficult, but it means a lot because she was our best friend, I miss her so much.

“I love what the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home do and hope that other dogs will get a good chance, just like Moose got, to find loving homes.”

Angelika has a target of £500 to reach. To donate to Angelika’s Kiltwalk, please visit: 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/angelika-grindlay-3?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=EM

To find out more information on cats and dogs available for adoption or how you can make a donation, please visit www.edch.org.uk/donate

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home successfully rehomes stray cats found fending for themselves

Two courageous stray cats and their tiny litters are now safe, healthy, and home thanks to the love and care of the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home.

The young feline mothers were found fending for themselves outdoors, with Grace also caring for a litter of vulnerable newborns. Rescued thanks to supportive and caring members of the public, the cats were brought to safety, given the medical care and comfort they desperately needed, and supported as they raised their kittens in the loving environment of the Home.

Now, after weeks of care, both feline families have found loving forever homes — a heartwarming reminder of the life-changing work Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home does every day.

Grace, a three-year-old stray was brought to the Home in April in a cardboard box with her four tiny kittens. Named by the Home as Kermit, Gonzo, Janice and Camilla, the Home believes Grace’s kittens were just a week old when they were brought to them, as they hadn’t yet opened their eyes.

Protective of her young brood, Grace was at first wary when the Animal Welfare Carers went to care for them, but her trust was soon won over. Once they were ready, the kittens were rehomed, and Grace soon followed.

Cassie was brought to the Home as a stray on March 5th and on March 13th her litter of five kittens was born. Espresso, Treacle, Maple, Bunny, Blossom were rehomed after their vet checks, vaccinations and being microchipped.

Nonnie Kent from the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home said, “Raising a litter of kittens as a stray is incredibly challenging, so we’re truly grateful we could step in to care for Grace, Cassie, and their kittens. They all deserved a safe, loving environment — and we’re so proud to have given them that.

“The kittens brought endless joy to the Home. Every morning, Grace’s four would be patiently waiting for us—lined up as if they knew breakfast and cuddles were coming. Cassie’s little explorers, on the other hand, were always on the move, curious about everything. Once they had their health checks, vaccinations, and microchips, it was such a joy to watch each kitten go off to a new home.

“We’re equally thrilled that Grace and Cassie have found families of their own. It’s a wonderful second chance for two incredibly resilient mums.”

Martha, who welcomed Maple and Treacle—now called Pippin and Noah—into her home, commented: “It has been wonderful to have Pippin and Noah come into our lives. 

“One of our older cats had to be put down earlier in the year and he left a big gap.  Being able to adopt these two from the Home has brought us so much fun and laughter – as well as quite a lot of chaos!  

“It’s been 16 years since we last had young kittens and we’d forgotten quite how mad they can be – especially when there are two of them chasing each other.

The adoption process was straight forward but also thorough – and staff made sure we understood the commitment we were making. We already can’t imagine life without Noah and Pippin!”

To find out more information on cats and dogs available for adoption or how you can make a donation, please visit www.edch.org.uk

Dog and Cat Home hero honoured at Inspiring Volunteer Awards

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is celebrating one of its dedicated team members and volunteers, Wendy Loftus, who has been recognised for her outstanding commitment to animal welfare at this year’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards.

Wendy, who serves as a Data Analyst & Pet Food Drive Volunteer at the Home, has dedicated countless hours as a Data Analyst. She works closely with the Fundraising Administrator on data input for various campaigns, often managing time-consuming tasks.

Recently, Wendy also signed up as a Pet Food Drive volunteer, fundraising at local supermarkets to support the Pet Food Bank.

Her ability to engage with the public passionately about the Home’s work has been invaluable, and her collaborative spirit and innovative ideas have significantly contributed to the success of the charity’s different initiatives.

At a special ceremony at the City Chambers, Wendy received a certificate presented by Robert Aldridge, The Rt. Hon. Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the Home and the wider community.

Wendy commented: “I was brought up with the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home being part of my life.

“It is nice to be able to give something back to a Charity that has given three generations of my family so much joy & pleasure over the years, with the dogs we’ve been allowed to rehome.”

Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine, CEO of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, added: “Wendy truly embodies the spirit of volunteering. Her dedication and warmth have brought comfort to countless animals and inspired our entire team.

“We’re thrilled that her efforts have been recognised at such a prestigious event.”

The Inspiring Volunteer Awards shine a spotlight on the individuals who make Edinburgh a better place through selfless service. Wendy’s recognition is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the power of community-driven support for animal welfare.

To learn more about volunteering opportunities at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, visit www.edch.org.uk.

Challenging times for Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

Important news from the Home:

Due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the rising costs of running the Home have outpaced the funds we’ve been able to raise, despite the continued generosity and support of our incredible community.

If we do not take immediate and decisive action, there is a genuine risk that the Home will no longer be able to continue in the years ahead. This is not an outcome we can accept, as we know how much the Home means to the many people and pets we support across the country.

As we face these unprecedented challenges, we have had to undertake a restructuring exercise to ensure we can continue to operate effectively and sustainably for the long term.

This means that we have made the difficult and unavoidable decision to become a smaller team as well as make a slight reduction to our opening hours.

We’re so grateful to all our team who have stood by the Home during this tough time, continuing to deliver exceptional care and support to pets and their owners, and thank them for their hard work and dedication to our important mission.

Our mission remains the same, as we project that the need for our services will only increase. We are fully committed to doing whatever is necessary to protect the future of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home and the pets and pet owners we support.

Thank you for supporting our Home.

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home launches cattery crowdfunder

Crippling energy price rises has seen costs at the Home soar and funds are desperately needed to enable the cattery roof to be replaced

The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has today launched a crowdfunder to raise vital funds to replace their cattery roof which is in great need of repair.  Rising energy prices has seen costs at the Home rocket and so they hope to install solar panels on their new roof which will make a saving of over £2,600 in energy costs every year.

The cattery roof is in urgent need of repair and the team at the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home hope to raise nearly £13,000 to fund a new one and install solar panels.  Currently the outdoor section of the cat pen has a mesh area through which bird poo can fall, which is incredibly dangerous to the cats, putting them at risk of giardia infection. 

The new roof will be solid to keep the cats safe, preventing bird droppings from falling through, which previously required a great deal of time to clean. The improvement means the cats will now have year-round access to the outdoor cattery.

Solar Panels on the new roof would effectively cover the electricity to the Home’s entire cattery and clinic, creating a more sustainable future for the Home and for the environment. With solar panels installed, over five years the Home would save £13,070 – enough to vaccinate 1,378 cats.

Many of the Home’s resident cats, like Mickey who had spent about 6 months with them, enjoyed spending time outside whatever the weather. Mickey loved to sit in his outdoor area, hoping that passing team members would stop to say hi to him (of course, they always would!) The outdoor pens provide important stimulation and enrichment for cats like Mickey, but at the moment they can’t be used year-round due to infection concerns.

Lindsay Fyffe Jardine, CEO of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said: “Repairing the roof and installing the solar panels above this section of the cattery will provide much needed shelter and create a safer play area for the cats in our care.

“Not only will we benefit from much needed energy savings, we’ll also improve our carbon footprint. Installing these solar panels means that two tons of CO2 emissions will be avoided every year. Over the panels’ lifetime, this is the equivalent of 69,690 car kms avoided, 50 long haul flights avoided, or planting 448 trees.

“Installing solar panels will not only give essential cover to our cattery, but will generate enough green energy for all the electricity in our cattery and our clinic.

“The welfare of the animals in our care is always at the forefront of our operations. Operating sustainably is essential in our ability to continue to deliver on our mission.”

To make a donation to the Cattery Crowdfunder please visit: 

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/light-up-our-home

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home thanks Morrisons Granton shoppers

A huge thank you to everyone who donated to our Pet Food Drive at Morrisons Granton last weekend!

Because of your generosity, we collected enough food to provide 2,385 meals for pets across East and Central Scotland. 🤩

Pet food banks are a lifeline for so many pet owners.

Thanks to you, we can help keep pets where they belong – at home, with the families who love them 💚