The Dogs Trust

This is a charity very close to my heart as Tapper and I performed to Ain’t That a Kick In The Head by Dean Martin on their tv show "The Under Dog Show" in 2007.  The following year I was asked to be a celebrity trainer on the same show.  But even before then I admired the Dogs Trust for their presence at Crufts and their bright yellow A Dog Is For Life bags and as a Dog Warden I was allowed to visit their revolutionary kennels where dogs are housed in light and airy kennels, behind screens and not bars.  They are to be admired for the work they do today and in the past.

How they began

The Dogs Trust was formed in 1891 at a meeting at Crufts and was chaired by Lady Gertrude Stock.  Originally called the National Canine Defence League (NCDL) until 2003, the League campaigned long and hard against various dog rights including anti-vivisection; unnecessary muzzling; the chaining up of dogs in gardens and work places and; the cruel treatment of dogs by railway companies to name but a few.

In 2003 the NCDL changed its name to the Dogs Trust.  It is best known for its trademark slogan “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas” which was created by former Chief Executive, Clarissa Baldwin, to highlight the plight of many dogs who were bought as Christmas presents as fluffy, cute puppies only to be abandoned months later as they became less appealing and entered their teenage stages.  That slogan has recently been used to “A dog is for life, not just during lockdown” referring to the Covid 19 lockdown where it is reported many people have adopted and bought puppies to help them through the crisis.

And today.....

Dogs Trust currently have 21 rehoming centres across the UK and Ireland and never put a healthy dog down.  I have always liked the design of Dogs Trust kennels; they are always clean and comfortable for the dogs and the solid transparent frontages allow dogs to be viewed by potential new owners without too much stress and interference to the dogs and puppies; but did you know that Dogs Trust Loughborough is reported to be the greenest animal rescue centre in the world.  To quote from Wikipedia “the centre runs on renewable energy from its biomass boiler, green roofs, under-floor heating, solar thermal panels, photovoltaic panels and rainwater recycling system” significantly reducing running costs not to mention going some way to saving the planet.  

Dogs Trust charity shops are great places to visit.  There is one near to me in Petersfield, Hampshire, where I can buy my Dogs Trust merchandise as well as the usual charity shop clothing and brick-a-brack which raises valuable funds to help run Dogs Trust rehoming homes and animal rights campaigning.

Several excellent reasons to become a member!

Patrons for the Trust are Ruth Langsford, Eamonn Holmes and John Barrowman; but did you know you can become a Dogs Trust member for as little as £25 a year?  Why would this interest you apart from supporting a worthwhile charity?  Did you know as a member you are not only entitled to use their Vetfone service 24 hours, 7 days a week; receive free copies of their Wag! Magazine; have peace of mind knowing that Dogs Trust will care for your dog/s should you pass away and; voting rights at their annual general meeting but, and this is the important part for me, you have 3^rd party insurance of up to £1,000,000 per incident if any of your dogs cause damage or injury to another person, their property or pets including under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (or equivalent).   Now my dogs are not aggressive and are covered by 3^rd party insurance under my house insurance but not under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and therefore my membership to Dogs Trust gives me huge peace of mind and can be to you too by becoming a member.

How can I do this?

For further information on the Dogs Trust work, rehoming centres and details on how to become a member please visit their website www.dogstrust.org.uk

And there's more....

They have an excellent website packed with helpful tips and advice so well worth checking out.

How can I adopt a dog from them?

Again visit their website and find the nearest Dogs Trust rehoming centre near to you.  My friends Annie and Tony Clayton adopted the adorable little Delphie some 6 years ago.  They received loads of help and advice, even after their adoption. That is what a good rehoming centre does and its all about the welfare of the dog at the end of the day. 

And don't forget; every rescue dog that finds its forever home is making space in the kennels for another dog needing help.