As charities across the UK face increasing financial pressure and a decline in overall donations, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is thanking its community of regular donors whose ongoing support is helping transform the lives of pets and their owners.
Today, 3,044 regular donors collectively fund approximately one sixth of the charity’s work and aid in ensuring animals receive the care they need all year round.
With rising energy and operational costs placing growing pressure on animal welfare charities, the Home is highlighting the vital role that consistent, monthly donations play in keeping its doors open. It costs around £7,000 per day to run the Home, which receives no government funding and relies almost entirely on the generosity of the public.
Amelia Morgan, CEO at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said:“Regular giving allows us to plan for the future and ensure these wonderful animals receive the highest quality of care all year round, no matter what.
“We are endlessly grateful for the continuing support of our regular donors who help us be there for dogs and cats who need us.”
Even small monthly donations have a direct impact, from helping provide food for growing kittens and puppies, to covering essential treatments, specialist diets, and dedicated behavioural training to help dogs thrive.
That ongoing support is what enables the charity to make rehoming stories like Hamish’s possible.
Hamish, an anxious collie, spent almost a year in the Home’s care after struggling to trust new people. The team worked patiently to build his confidence, knowing it would take time for him to truly come out of his shell and find the right person for Hamish.
That moment came when he met his new owner Paul. Visit by visit, trust began to grow, until Hamish was ready to take the next step. Today, he is thriving, full of life, loyal and enjoying the loving home he deserves.
Hamish’s journey is just one example of the impact regular donations make every day. In 2025 alone, the Home accepted 343 animals, rehomed or reunited 318 pets, and provided more than 636,000 meals through community food banks, support that met only half of the demand seen across the region.
As demand continues to grow, the charity says regular giving will play an increasingly important role in ensuring it can continue to support pets and their owners through challenging times.
Amelia added:“Every single regular donation helps us be there for animals like Hamish and the thousands more who need us each year.
“To everyone who already supports us, thank you. You are making a real and lasting difference every single day.”
To donate to the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, please visit:
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:
Fundraiser brightens future for Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home
Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home has successfully installed 21 solar panels at its seaside cattery, marking a major milestone in its journey towards cutting costs, ensuring for a more sustainable future and even higher animal welfare standards.
The community backed crowdfunder was supported by 329 generous donors who helped raise £14,687 as part of the “Light up Our Home” campaign.
The newly installed solar panels, powering electricity for the cattery and clinic, are already helping to reduce the shelter’s environmental impact and are expected to save the Home over £2,600 each year on electricity bills.
These savings will go directly back into caring for the hundreds of animals and families supported by the Home each year.
In addition to generating clean, green energy, the panels also serve a unique welfare purpose offering the cats a safer and more comfortable play area with protection from falling bird droppings, which can carry giardia, a highly infectious parasite.
Lynsey McGreavey, Facilities Managerat Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home said; “Rising energy prices have been one of the Home’s most pressing challenges in recent years. This milestone simply wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible generosity of the public, from Edinburgh and beyond.
“In these difficult times, every single donation, whether big or small, helps turn our vision into reality. This fundraiser has not only helped us take a big step towards becoming more ego conscious but has made a direct impact on the safety and wellbeing of the animals in our care.”
Eight charming dogs residing at Edinburgh’s Dog and Cat Home are currently seeking adoption, ready to begin a new life in their forever homes.
From Staffies to Shepherds, there are no dogs more deserving of love than those at the Home who have faced things that no dog should have to go through: from the hardships of living on the streets as a stray, to the loss of their beloved owners.
The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home works endlessly all year round to help keep pets in their loving homes, but sadly is experiencing a record number of surrender requests from owners no longer able to care for their pets.
This comes as a result of the rise in the number of households that welcomed new pets to their family during Covid-19 lockdown, and the subsequent adjustment when the world opened up again, coupled with the financial devastation of the cost-of-living crisis.
Consistently at capacity and struggling to take in any more pets until others are rehomed, the charity is calling out for families thinking about welcoming a new pet into their lives to consider re-homing as an option before they seek to buy a pet.
Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine, CEO of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said: “The more pets we can find loving forever homes for, the more vulnerable animals who may have been victims of neglect or abuse we can bring in and care for, offering them a safe place of refuge to recover, rehabilitate and eventually find a loving home of their own.”
Patiently waiting more than 650 days for the right family to welcome him into their life, 12-year-old Lurcher, Peter, first came to the home in 2022 as a stray and has been holding out for the right person to take him home ever since.
Despite being one of the oldest residents of the home, both in age and time spent there, Nonnie Kent the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home’s Rehoming Manager says Peter still has a lot of life left in him: “Peter is a sweetheart with a loveable nature who deserves to spend his golden years surrounded by comfort and love.
“Despite his age, he still enjoys walks, sniffing around our paddock, and playing with his favourite soft toys. He can be easily overwhelmed so he just needs an owner who’s willing to work with him at his pace.”
Alongside Peter, Storm, Bailey, Graham, Ted, Quincy, Simon, and Dotty are all also currently looking for loving owners so they can live a happy and fulfilled life, showered with the care and attention they deserve.
Storm
1.5years, Dutch Shepherd, Female
Storm is a stunning one-and-a-half-year-old Dutch Shepherd. She had a tough start to life as she was brought to the Home as a stray last year. She can be wary of new people and nervous in new situations. Storm needs a patient and understanding person who can help her work on this.
Storm is a clever and energetic girl looking for an active owner who will enjoy giving her all the exercise and stimulation she needs each day.
She’s affectionate, playful and will be a devoted friend to the right person.
Bailey
5 years, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Male
Beautiful Bailey has been with the Home for almost a year and he’s hoping to find his forever home. He’s a medium-build, five-year-old Staffy with a heart as big as his eyes!
Bailey needs an experienced and active owner who will enjoy getting out with him and working on his training.
Bailey can be boisterous when he gets excited and needs to go to a home where he will be the only pet. He has so much love to give and he will make a loyal companion for the right owner.
Graham
5 years, Lurcher, Male
Graham is a five-year-old Lurcher who has won over the hearts of the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home team. He first came to the Home as a stray, and he’s easily overwhelmed and anxious. Graham is looking for an experienced owner and a quiet home.
He’s a playful boy who loves running free and playing with toys. He’s been working hard on his training and needs a person who’s willing to keep this up with him.
Graham is incredibly affectionate once he gets to know someone and despite his size, he aspires to be a lapdog.
Ted
5 years, American Bulldog, Male, 229 Days at the Home
Ted is a big boy with an even bigger heart. He’s a five-year-old American Bulldog who was brought to the Home when his previous owner’s difficult circumstances meant they could no longer cope with his care.
Ted is just brimming with personality and playfulness. He loves meeting people, getting fussed over, and his football. He can be cheeky and needs someone who can manage this and continue to work on his training with him.
His affectionate and playful personality will make him the perfect companion for someone with the time and energy to give him the love he deserves.
Quincy
4 years, Lurcher Cross, Female
Quincy is a loveable lady who came to the Home when her previous owner passed away. She’s a four-year-old Lurcher cross who is shy of new people but full of affection for those she trusts.
She’s very playful and loves running on the beach or chasing a ball in our paddock.
Quincy doesn’t like to be left alone and can be reactive with other dogs. She’s been working on this in training and needs a person who will be understanding and patient with her.
Simon
1 year, Bulldog Cross, Male
Simon is a special boy who everyone at the Home has a big soft spot for. He’s a one-year-old Bulldog cross who had an incredibly tough start to life which has made him anxious and unsure of new surroundings and new people.
Simon needs someone who’s patient with his fears and stresses and will give him a quiet home. Simon doesn’t give his trust freely but once you’ve earned it, his playful personality shines brightly.
Simon deserves a safe, happy home where his confidence can grow even further.
Dotty
3 years, Bulldog Cross, Female
Dotty is a three-year-old Bulldog Cross who’s brimming with love for life. She’s been working hard on her training and needs an owner who will keep this up with her. Dotty is very motivated by food and toys, so she loves learning new things!
Dotty is a bundle of cuddles and love around people, but she doesn’t like other dogs and can be reactive. She is looking for a home where she will be the only pet, with an owner who understands her needs.
Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has given animals a safe place to recover and find love for 140 years and supplies 88 foodbanks across East and Central Scotland with vital meals for pets.
The home also supports families struggling to make ends meet to help keep their pets at home through various community support services such as emergency food packages, educational content and training, and other outreach services.
Whether through preventative community work or caring for and rehoming animals like Peter who come to them, the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home gives its all to support dogs and cats in East and Central Scotland.
To find out more or to enquire about adopting, visit their website https://edch.org.uk
