Jackie Bowen, founder of A Dog’s Best Friend, a professional dog walker from Gravesend is faced the challenge of a lifetime as she completed a 12,000ft tandem skydive which included freefalling for several thousand feet.
All the proceeds raised are of course going to two dog rescue charities which are
The Dogs Trust as the work they do is invaluable. The health and happiness of every dog is at the heart of all their efforts and they try to find each and every dog in their care a loving home for life. They never destroy a healthy dog. I have chosen The Dogs Trust as my parents have had many rescue dogs from them and I also walk a few everyday that have come from the local Dogs Trust at Canterbury and every single one has been very special. For more information click on their logo which takes you direct to their site.
The other is the Cinnamon Trust, which The Cinnamon Trust was founded for elderly people and their pets, but its services are also offered to terminally ill pet owners, for them, sadly, and often prematurely, are faced with the same worries and fears as elderly pet owners. Anyone of any age can make arrangements for pets that may outlive them to come into the Trust’s care. The Trust’s primary objective is to respect and preserve the treasured relationship between owners and their pets, and no matter how long this may be needed.The Trust also has a number of volunteers willing to take on a foster pet for life, but they are limited! The Trust retains ultimate responsibility for all pets in lifelong foster homes and pays all the vet bills. The Cinnamon Trust has established unique sanctuaries. There are no kennels, no cages, for these would only bewilder an old and much loved pet. There are settees and armchairs, large warm rooms to share, rugs on the floor - all familiar, comforting and comfortable. This is a lesser known charity, but no less important as owners do have peace of mind in the knowledge that their beloved companion will have a safe and happy future, if they have to go into care or sadly passed away & their families are not able to take over the care of their loved ones pets. For more information click on their logo which takes you direct to their site.
Recession Hit Pet Owners Offered Help - May 2009
Launch of Dogs Trust 'Lets with Pets' campaign: Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, today launched a unique campaign to reduce the number of pets abandoned when owners are forced to move into rented accommodation.
The Lets with Pets campaign aims to encourage landlords and letting agencies to accept pets, offering pet owners the opportunity to keep their beloved pets, while amplifying rental income for struggling buy-to-let landlords.
The campaign website www.letswithpets.org.uk offers downloadable advice booklets and practical tips for landlords and tenants alike.
Earlier this year the charity reported an alarming increase in pet owners forced to downsize or move to rented accommodation. With lettings agencies and private landlords often hesitant to allow pets in their properties, Dogs Trust’s 17 rehoming centres have witnessed a nationwide influx of pets reluctantly handed over by owners forced to downsize.
BBC News - 27th April 09 - Abandoned pets 'on the rise'
The number of animals who have been abandoned by their owners in England and Wales has risen by 57 per cent, according to just one animal welfare charity.
On average 30 animals were dealt with every day by the RSPCA last year. The RSPCA dealt with 11,586 rejected animals last year which equates to an average of 30 animals every day.
The charity says the problem could also be getting worse with another 1,432 animals dumped in the first two months of 2009. What's more, the number of people who have called the RSPCA because they want to get rid of their pets is up by 52 per cent.
Downturn Bites Hard On Abandoned Animals – Sky News – April 27, 2009
Pets are the latest victims of the recession, the RSPCA has warned, as figures show a 57% increase in the number of abandoned animals.
[Puppies waiting for new homes]
It is a symptom of the downturn that is becoming increasingly common.
"Inspectors from the Birmingham area are reporting back to us, they're finding more and more animals being abandoned by their owners" said Daniel Gittens, deputy manager at the centre.
"People have just literally left them.
"They've had to leave their premises for one reason or another but they are leaving the animals in the house or the garden. Some have been found up to a month later, emaciated.
"Then on the other side we're finding people having to go into rented accommodation having to sign their animals over for rehoming because the landlord won't allow them to take their animals into their new houses".
Statistics from the RSPCA show that in 2007, 7,347 animals were abandoned. In 2008, that rocketed to 11,586, an increase of 57%.
Calls from pet owners wanting to give up their animals have increased by 52% - the majority citing financial difficulties as the reason.
The trend shows no sign of subsiding: hundreds of animals have already been abandoned this year.
In February a terrier cross was found dumped in a bin liner by a road in Staffordshire. Her fur was so matted, it had to be shaved off.
"I've been a vet for 41 years" said David Grant, the hospital director, at the RSPCA in London and these are the toughest times I've ever known, very difficult indeed," he said.
"Very difficult for my staff, very difficult for people who own animals and very, very difficult for the charities that try to help them."
Jan 09 - Sky News
An increasing number of pets are being abandoned because of the credit crunch, animal welfare charities say.
Vets' bills for pet dogs can cost several hundred pounds
As owners count the cost of the day-to-day upkeep and see insurance premiums and vet's bills rise, thousands of families are saying goodbye to their four-legged family members.
The Dog's Trust is the largest dog welfare charity in the UK. They have twice as many pets on their waiting list to be rehomed than this time last year.
"The dogs unfortunately are the first to suffer when financially people can't afford to pay the bills, or feed themselves," said one rehoming centre manager.
"It's very sad that a family member, like a dog is the first victim of the credit crunch, but this is clearly what we're seeing," he explained.
The average vets' bill for a dog is thought to cost some several hundred pounds, while the cost of treating more serious conditions can run into the thousands.
It is not only dogs which are affected by the crisis. Animal charities are seeing a similar trend with cats, and even horses as owners feel the financial pinch.
With no end to the credit crunch in sight homeless animals across the UK are facing a very long winter.
