winter appeal – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

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

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.

Every Meal Matters: Support Empty Kitchens Full Hearts Winter Appeal

SUPPORT LOCAL CHARITY’s WORK in 2026

On Friday, we hosted our Christmas Community Lunch – complete with Christmas ham, honey roast veg and of course some Christmas crackers

But a community lunch is not just for Christmas! We host a community lunch for 50 local people every Friday here in Granton, encouraging people to enjoy good food together.

Next week, our team will still be cooking, packing and delivering meal packs to people in need across Edinburgh

We know Christmas can be a difficult time of year – with greater pressure on finances and many people feeling socially isolated. Each meal pack tells a person that someone is thinking of them this Christmas.

If you’d like to support our work in 2026, please donate to our Winter Appeal

Donate: https://tinyurl.com/mssm3xtu

Our community lunch returns for 2026 on the 2nd of January.

Please note that there is no community lunch on Friday the 26th of December.

Planning Ahead for Christmas: The Silent Struggle of Scotland’s Unpaid Carers

For Celia, Christmas isn’t about sparkle, it’s about survival

For those who provide round the clock care to loved ones, the festive season requires military level organisation around medication schedules, hospital appointments and the unpredictable demands of caring.

Carers Trust Scotland have heard from many unpaid carers that they started their festive season shopping and planning many months ago. This kind of early planning is common for many of Scotland’s 800,000 unpaid carers, who often have very little free time and disposable income. These individuals provide care worth £15.9 billion annually, yet their efforts often go unseen.

“I started buying gifts last Christmas,” says Celia, who cares for her son Paul. “I can’t just pop out when I want, so I plan ahead. When I see offers, I buy doubles and store them away.

“By December, I’m juggling food, drink and all the little extras that add up, it’s like paying double bills at this time of year.”

But festive cheer comes with added challenges. Rising energy costs have hit unpaid carers hard:

“Paul can’t regulate his body temperature, so the heating used to be on all the time,” Celia explains. “Now, with prices soaring, I’ve had to put it on a timer. This morning, Paul came up and said, ‘Mum, my hands are cold.’

“When I do put the heating on, he thanks me like I’ve given him an extra present. That’s heartbreaking.”

Research from Carers Trust Scotland highlights the pressures carers face, even during the holidays:

• 41% of unpaid carers on Carer Support Payment are struggling financially.

• 28% of unpaid carers living in a home with just one adult carer are in fuel poverty.

• Almost half (49%) of unpaid carers on Universal Credit and living alone are fuel poor.

• 74% worry about affording energy bills and 12% have used a food bank. • Only 30% say Carer Support Payment makes a meaningful difference.

Celia’s story reflects these realities. She’s not only managing the festive season on a tight budget but also fighting to restore her son’s care package after it was stopped without warning:

“Paul has a rare brain disease. He could die at any time. I’ve had to remortgage my house, and I’m thousands of pounds in debt just to keep his life as it was. If his routine changes, his anxiety could trigger another collapse.”

Despite these struggles, Celia remains determined to make the festive season special:

“Paul is an absolute joy. Every day he brings light and life to our home. He even makes his own Christmas cards, after six years of therapy just to hold a pencil.”

Carers Trust Scotland works with a network of local carer organisations to provide support, funding and advice to unpaid carers across the country. Reaching around 66,000 adult and young carers, the charity aims to ensure unpaid carers are recognised and have access to the resources they need to live fulfilled lives.

“Three out of five of us will become carers at some point in our lives,” says Becky Duff, Carers Trust Scotland Director. “This Christmas, we want people to understand the reality of caring and to celebrate the resilience and love that unpaid carers bring to their families every day.”

As Scotland approaches a new chapter in 2026, there’s an opportunity to ensure unpaid carers are better supported and recognised. Carers Trust Scotland will continue working closely with government and partners to shape policies that reflect the realities of caring.

A Little Help Goes a Long Way

Since April 2025, our small grants programme has provided nearly £130,000 in direct support to carers, funding essentials like heated blankets, tablets to reduce isolation, and respite breaks.

Every gift counts: £30 could keep a carer warm this winter, £100 could help an isolated carer stay connected.

Learn more about our work and how you can support unpaid carers at Fundraising for Carers in Scotland | Carers Trust Scotland

Spread joy to children and families in Edinburgh and the Lothians by donating a gift this festive season

Children First is urging shoppers across Edinburgh and the Lothians to donate gifts through its festive Amazon Wish List to give children, who might otherwise go without, a brighter Christmas.

Online shoppers could make a huge difference to children and families supported by Children First across Edinburgh and the Lothians this Christmas.

Scotland’s national children’s charity protects children from harm and supports them to recover from trauma and abuse in their homes, schools and communities and through its national support line.

The charity’s team in Edinburgh has launched its festive Amazon Wish List so that people can give local children, that might otherwise go without, a brighter Christmas by choosing a gift online to donate.

Supporters can choose from a range of gifts, including supermarket vouchers to help families with festive essentials, warm clothing and blankets, or toys and games for children of all ages.

You can donate a gift at:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2U6Z3SKZTUCP7?ref_=wl_share

Simon McGowan, Assistant Director at Children First, said: “Many families across Edinburgh and the Lothians will be finding things tough this Christmas with increased pressure on family budgets.

“By choosing to donate a gift through our Amazon Wish List, your gift will bring joy to children and families that might otherwise go without.

“At Children First we rely on the generosity of donations to provide practical, emotional and financial help and hope to families.

“We are so grateful for people’s support. Please donate a gift if you can and help brighten Christmas for children across Edinburgh and the Lothians.”

Children First offers practical, emotional and financial support to children and families across Scotland.

If you are a parent or carer who is struggling, Children First’s support line is here to help on 08000 28 22 33.

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.

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home calls for community support to reach its Winter Appeal goal

As the festive season brings warmth to many homes, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is calling for a final wave of support for its Winter Appeal to ensure no pet—or person—feels abandoned during these difficult months.

With record demand for its services this year, the Home aims to raise £134,500 through its Winter Appeal to cover the rising costs of care, including £22,000 for heating over the cold months.

Over the past year, the Home has processed 1,635 surrender requests, a figure nearly matching the entire estimated dog population of Edinburgh’s EH1 postcode. The rise in demand this year has brought extraordinary challenges for Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, leaving the home in a position where it has no choice but to turn people away.

Between January and June 2024, the helpline handled an incredible 17,995 calls, exceeding the total of 17,021 calls received in all of 2023.

These calls amounted to 872 hours of support—equivalent to watching all of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films 44 times. From desperate surrender requests to heartfelt pleas for advice on keeping pets during financial struggles, each call highlights the vital role the helpline plays in supporting pet owners through challenging times. More than numbers, the calls represent people in crisis, seeking support and reassurance during some of their darkest days.

Amid these challenges, due to the hard work of the Home, there have been bright moments, too. So far this year, the Home found loving families for 216 cats and dogs and reunited 95 missing pets, proving that even in difficult times, hope and happy endings are possible.

Beyond rehoming animals, the Home provides vital emotional support to pet owners through its helpline. Each call represents a person or family facing tough decisions—seeking guidance, advice, or just a compassionate ear. The team works tirelessly to keep pets in loving homes whenever possible, offering signposting to resources, training tips, and practical advice.

Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine, CEO of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said: “We’ve seen an overwhelming demand for our services this year.

“Each call we take, and each family we support, reminds us why this work is so vital. Our Winter Appeal is about ensuring we can continue being a beacon of hope for pets and their people in the toughest of times.

“Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference.”

Staggering operational costs mean that every penny raised will ensure that the animals of the Home are well cared for this winter and donors can be part of creating more stories like Maple’s—a young dog rescued in desperate need of care who now thrives in her forever home.

Donations of as little as £10 can provide essential vaccinations for a cat, while £150 could keep all the Home’s dogs warm for the day.

Founded in 1883, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has been a lifeline for the community for over 140 years, relying entirely on public donations to sustain its vital work.

To support the Winter Appeal, visit www.edch.org.uk/winterappeal or text WARMHEARTS to 70085 to donate £10.

First Minister joins Vintage Vibes in the fight against loneliness

The First Minister shows support for Vintage Vibes’ work helping lonely and isolated older people in Edinburgh and highlights the value of building lasting relationships this Christmas and for the future

First Minister, John Swinney joined local older people to hear their impactful stories at an event hosted by Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes to highlight the importance of friendship and community connections in tackling loneliness in the over 60s this Christmas and for the future.

Edinburgh is one of the loneliest cities in the UK for older people and Vintage Vibes has been committed to tackling the loneliness crisis since 2015 – empowering over 60s to lead happier, healthier lives through one-to-one volunteer friendship matches, groups, events and activities.

First Minister, John Swinney said: “Vintage Vibes is an absolutely joyful project which brings older people together with younger people to tackle the issues of loneliness and isolation that exist within our communities.

“What I heard from listening to those involved is that sense of improvement in their wellbeing; it brings happiness and connection within communities, and helps people feel they are making a contribution to society.

“Vintage Vibes is a good preventative intervention that helps to boost the resilience, capacity and strength of individuals – it’s a really strong model and is a lovely example of how we can combat social isolation and loneliness and build stronger communities.”

Georgia Artus, Vintage Vibes Lead said: “As we come into our 10th year of creating long-lasting friendships in one of the loneliest cities in the UK for older people, we are delighted to have gained the interest of the First Minister.

“This recognises the empowering contribution our volunteers make every week throughout the year in Scotland’s capital and the transformational change that can be made through friendship.

“We know that loneliness has a hugely detrimental effect on older peoples’ wellbeing and physical and mental health, with the negative health impacts equating to that of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

“There is an estimated 11,000 older people who are often or always alone in Edinburgh – and those figures are rising.

“We’re excited for our future as an independent charity, but we have a big challenge ahead to meet demand and fund our vital services. We hope this visit will spread the word that anyone with a little time to spare can volunteer or support the lives of older people, not just at Christmas, but every day.”

The First Minister kindly joined in the festive fun and wrote a Christmas card, joining a host of MSPs who wrote cards at Scottish Parliament last week and hundreds of members of the public who are getting involved in the campaign.

Individuals can show their support by visiting Vintage Vibes’ website, where they too can receive a profile of a local, lonely older person to send a Christmas card to until 6th December – from Elaine, who loves to sing and enjoys musicals, to animal loving Betty, who loves to watching and listening to the birds in the garden.

After that time, gifts can be donated to help Vintage Vibes have an impact all year round, from meals out or a coffee and cake, to tickets to a show.

Vintage Vibes VIP, Marleen said: ‘I lost my husband and was feeling down but reading all the lovely Christmas cards really cheered me up.

‘You made my day – thank you all so much.’

To show you care and give the gift of friendship to an older person this year, visit vintagevibes.org.uk today.

Letters of Hope: Fort Kinnaird and Cyrenians call on local community to help spread festive cheer

Fort Kinnaird is calling on customers to help spread festive cheer in the community this Christmas.

The centre has teamed up with Cyrenians, an Edinburgh-based charity that tackles the causes and consequences of homelessness, to launch a ‘Letters of Hope’ initiative, as part of the charity’s winter appeal to combat social isolation.

The local community are being asked to write their warm wishes in a Christmas card or letter and post without an envelope in its ‘Letters of Hope’ mailbox free of charge. The initiative will then see these heartfelt Christmas cards distributed to those at risk of homelessness in and around Edinburgh.

There will also be a contactless donation point where shoppers can tap to donate £3, £5 or £10 as well as a QR code displayed on the side of the post box where visitors will be able to tap to make donations and support the charity’s vital work in the city.

The initiative is part of Cyrenians’ Winter Appeal which launched earlier this week to support the charity’s services to stop homelessness in its tracks. The city is facing significant housing challenges, and the funds raised will help Cyrienians reach more people this winter, while providing a little light through initiatives like the Letters of Hope mailbox.

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “While Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for many of us, we know that the winter months, and especially the festive season, can be challenging for those experiencing homelessness.

“It’s our visitors who make Christmas so special for us here at Fort Kinnaird, so we know we can count on them to spread some cheer to those who need it most.

“We hope our ‘Letters of Hope’ initiative, and the fundraising support for Cyrenians, will help to bring a few more smiles over the seasonal period.”

Sophie Bell, Fundraising Manager at Cyrenians, said: “Winter is dark enough, so we are delighted to be partnering with Fort Kinnaird this season to bring a little light to those who need it most.

“Cyrenians works across the community to break the cycle of homelessness. With services across addiction recovery, family mediation, supported housing, food distribution and more, we will provide vital support to many people who are struggling this Christmas. Thanks to Fort Kinnaird and their customers, we can work to tackle homelessness together.”

Letters and cards can be posted into the special post box – located outside ODEON Cinema – from now until 20th December when they will be distributed by Cyrenians in plenty of time for Christmas.

For more information on Fort Kinnaird, please visit https://www.fortkinnaird.com/

For more information on Cyrenians, please visit: https://cyrenians.scot/

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home reports highest ever demand for services

This year saw the charity deliver a staggering 495,207 meals to foodbanks

With operational costs continuing to rise and demand for services at an all-time high, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has launched its Winter Appeal to ensure no pet is left without care during the harsh months ahead.

This year has seen record-breaking pressures on the charity, with nearly 400 new admissions between September 2023 and August 2024. Over the same period, the Home distributed 44,960kg of pet food, more than the weight of a Boeing 737-800 airplane, to food banks across Central and East Scotland to help keep pets with their families.

Despite these challenges, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has rehomed 194 cats and dogs and served 487,352 meals to pets in need this year.

One of the many lives transformed this year is Mary’s. Found as a stray in September 2023, Mary arrived at the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home frightened and vulnerable. During her intake, the team discovered she was also pregnant.

With the warmth and care of the Home, Mary gave birth to six healthy puppies just weeks later. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the staff and the generosity of supporters, her puppies had the best possible start in life and have since been rehomed with loving families.

Mary’s story doesn’t end there. After months of recovery and love, she too found her forever home with a family that will ensure her days are filled with the care and affection she deserves. Mary’s journey is a testament to the vital role of the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home in providing second chances to pets in need and highlights the importance of community support to make these happy endings possible.

“The community’s support is more vital than ever,” said Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine, CEO of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home. “This winter, we are calling on individuals and businesses to help us continue providing life-saving services.

Every small action — from donating funds to organizing a pet food drive — contributes directly to ensuring no animal is left cold or hungry this winter.”

The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home aims to raise £134,500 from this year’s Winter Appeal. Staggering operational costs mean that every penny raised will ensure that the animals of the Home are well cared for this winter and will also help to ensure more happy stories like Mary and the 281 rehomed and reunited this year.

Over £22,000 will be spent on heating the Home over the next few months alone, and daily service costs amount to £7,000. Donations of as little as £10 can provide essential vaccinations for a cat, while £150 could keep all the Home’s dogs warm for the day.

Founded in 1883, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has been a lifeline for the community for over 140 years, relying entirely on public donations to sustain its vital work.

To support the Winter Appeal, visit www.edch.org.uk/winterappeal or text WARMHEARTS to 70085 to donate £10.

Why are there scarves on Edinburgh’s iconic dog statues?

EDINBURGH DOG AND CAT HOME LAUNCHES WINTER APPEAL

As winter sets in, the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is reaching out for support through its urgent Winter Appeal, aimed at providing vital care for animals in need through much needed donations.

This year, the charity has faced a record number of animal admissions, with nearly 400 new arrivals between September 2023 and August 2024, coinciding with all-time high operational costs.

To raise awareness for their cause, the Home has adorned Edinburgh’s iconic statues of Greyfriars Bobby and Bum the Dog with scarves and blankets, symbolising the warmth and compassion that the community can provide to vulnerable animals and their owners during these cold months.

The Winter Appeal is critical, as it helps the charity sustain its operations and provide essential services. It is estimated to cost over £22,000 this winter to solely heat the Home on top of regular services which sit at £7,000 per day.

Between January and June this year, the Home provided 306,247 meals to pets in Edinburgh, which is the equivalent of the weight of two and a half Lothian buses, and between January to August they successfully rehomed 150 cats and dogs.

Unfortunately, the demand for services has escalated, with the Home’s helpline receiving a staggering 872 hours of calls (equivalent to watching every James Bond film 17 times!) between January and June 2024.

Those six months also saw the Home receive a 10% increase in surrender requests compared to the same period in 2023.

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.

“The warm scarves and blankets adorning the Greyfriars Bobby and Bum the Dog statues serve as a beautiful reminder of the love and compassion we can extend to our vulnerable animals. These iconic figures, known for their loyalty, symbolise the bond we share with our pets, and together we can ensure that no animal in need is left without care and warmth this winter.

“The need for our services continues to grow, and it’s through the kindness of our supporters that we’ve been able to assist both pet owners and their beloved animals. Our helpline received 17,995 calls in the first half of this year alone, already surpassing the 17,021 calls we received in the entirety of 2023.

“Every donation counts – Just £10 pays for essential vaccinations for a cat for a whole year. A donation of £150 can keep all our dogs and cats warm for a day, and £25 is enough to keep a hungry dog’s belly full for a whole month.”

The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has been serving the community for over 140 years, offering a second chance to countless animals. This winter they are calling upon the community to help ensure that no animal is left without love and care.

To support the Winter Appeal, please visit www.edch.org.uk/winterappeal or text WARMHEARTS to 70085 to donate £10.