Tag: rescue dogs

Gillian Mackay MSP meets happy hounds at Dogs Trust West Calder

Gillian Mackay MSP was welcomed to Dogs Trust West Calder Rehoming Centre last week where she was greeted by a wagging tail reception!

Central Scotland MSP Gillian was interested to hear more about the charity’s work in Scotland after competing in Holyrood Dog of the Year in May with her sister’s cocker spaniel.  Alfie was rehomed from Dogs Trust, so Gillian is keen to promote the many positives of rehoming a rescue dog.

After being given a tour of the West Lothian centre and popping into a children’s education workshop which was underway, Gillian was introduced to current residents including Labrador Arthur.  Happily, Arthur has a new home lined up so will shortly leave kennels for his forever home.

Rehoming Centre Manager Susan Tonner chatted to Gillian about the daily work at the centre and the recent expansion of the Home from Home fostering scheme into Dundee and the surrounding counties of Angus, Perthshire and Fife.  The charity now has staff working in these areas rehoming dogs direct from foster homes and is always looking for more foster carers to get involved.  

Following her visit, Gillian Mackay MSP, said:  ”It was a pleasure to visit West Calder Rehoming Centre and to meet not only the lovely dogs but also the dedicated staff who take care of them and work so hard to find them new homes. 

“It was great to hear more about the lengths that charity goes to, to match each individual dog with their perfect home. I was also really interested to hear that some dogs are better suited to a foster home than kennels and how the charity is addressing this by rehoming more dogs in different areas thanks to their Home from Home Foster Scheme.

“After visiting the centre and seeing the different dogs available, I am keener than ever to encourage anyone looking to welcome a dog into their lives, to consider a rescue dog. With rescue dog Alfie in our family, I know what a difference he has made to our lives, so I feel the adopt don’t shop message is an important one.”

Susan Tonner said: “We were delighted to welcome Gillian to our Rehoming Centre to tell her more about our work in Scotland.  As she already has a rescue dog in her family it was clear how much she loved meeting some of our four-legged friends including Arthur, and the feeling was mutual. 

“We are very grateful for her support spreading the message that rehoming a rescue dog can be a really positive, life changing experience for both the family and the dog.”

Dogs Trust is currently looking for Home from Home fosterers in Dundee, Tayside, Perth and Kinross, Fife, Angus and Kincardine. Anyone interested can call Megan on 01506 873459 or email HFH.Dundee@dogstrust.org.uk 

Anyone interested in rehoming can click here: 

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/ 

Shelter rescue dog Major makes history as First in the White House

Major, President Biden’s shelter rescue dog, has been hitting the headlines for all the right reasons. First adopted by President Joe Biden in 2018, Major becomes the first shelter rescue dog to live in the White House.

This is welcome news for many pet lovers who have already taken the step to foster or adopt a dog or cat in need. 

In this article Perfect-Pets Books explores the growing trend of high-profile politicians who have famously rescued a pet. If you are interested in rehoming or fostering a dog Rescue Dogs the Essential Guide by Perfect-Pets Books is a great place to start. Full of essential information the guide addresses the key points one should consider before taking in a dog and re-homing it:

The recent election results which confirmed Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 U.S. presidential election has sparked a few fireworks to say the least. However, one of the nicer stories to emerge was the announcement that the Biden family will be bringing their two German Shepherd dogs Major and Champ to live in the White House.

The last four years has seen no pets in the White House and this announcement drew smiles and applause from animal lovers across the country. 

The ASPCA president and CEO Matt Bershadker said: “We’re thrilled the Bidens’ dog Major will be the first shelter dog ever to call the White House his home. This is a wonderful opportunity for people to see how fostering and adopting animals saves lives, helps animal shelters, and brings love and joy to families.”

It has also been hinted by President Biden’s wife, Dr Jill Biden, that they also have plans to add a feline companion. If so, it will be the ‘first cat’ since George W. Bush’s cat India a.ka. Willie.

Giving a home to a rescue dog or cat has been given a great boost in recent years by high-profile politicians.

When Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved into Downing Street, he made headlines with his rescue dog Dilyn. Dilyn was rescued from a breeder by animal charity Friends of Animals Wales before being adopted. He was moved into Downing Street in September 2019.

Dilyn, who is a Jack Russell, has proved to be quite popular and has a growing following on Instagram. His Instagram page has attracted more than 2,000 followers.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has not been the only PM to add a rescue to Downing Street.

Back in 2011 Larry the Cat, a rescue from London’s Battersea Cats and Dogs Home moved into Downing Street. Larry was known for his high chase-drive and hunting instinct developed during his time on the streets and came highly recommended.

Even after David Cameron left office Larry remained at Downing Street. Larry never actually belonged to Cameron and instead belonged to a civil servant, but his story made great headlines.

 Larry the cat is one of a long line of Downing Street cats, known unofficially as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. One of the most famous and longest serving cats was Humphrey adopted in 1989. Humphrey was adopted after wandering into No 10 as a stray while Margaret Thatcher was prime minister. He remained throughout the administration of John Major and eventually moved out six months after Tony Blair won the 1997 general election.

The re-introduction of four legged companions in the White House will certainly get tails wagging. Although Biden’s dog Major is said to be the first dog shelter rescue to live in the White House, research says this is not entirely true as there was a previous dog rescue. What makes Major special is that he was adopted from a shelter.

According to the fact-checkers at Snopes.com they have found that President Lyndon B. Johnson’s mixed breed dog Yuki was found by Johnson’s daughter Luci at a gas station on Thanksgiving Day in 1966. Luci officially gave the dog to her dad as a birthday gift in 1967.

Nevertheless, the story of Major is a happy one and it raises awareness about pet abandonment. Animal shelters are desperately in need of owners for the many strays that fill their centres.

Covid has created an explosion of pet ownership with many owners truly appreciating the companionship of their new addition(s) during these difficult months. Equally, reports show Covid has also created a growing number of pet abandonments. These have occurred for a variety of socio-economic reasons such as unemployment or a lack of research from owners.

If you are interested in adopting a new pet or acquiring a pet from a breeder Perfect-Pets Books have an extensive range of essential guides for dog and cat lovers that offer advice and information to help owners provide the best care possible. Books such as First Aid for Dogs, The Essential Guide to Dog Rescue and the Essential Guide to Dog Training act as great complements to Perfect-Pets’ most popular dog and cat breeds essential guides.

To learn more visit www.perfect-pets.org for further information. Use code Perfect20Off at checkout and get 20% off.