Malta launch
You may remember that I discussed my last visit to SPCA Malta in this blog earlier in the year. Six months on I'm delighted that I can update you further. We returned to Malta last week for a hectic 36 hour trip to launch two dog welfare programmes in association with the SPCA.
Changes in Westminster
Tags: jane kennedy, westminster, jim fitzpatrick, politics
Everyone seems to be discussing politics at the moment. It seems the whole country has an opinion - even those people who don't normally consider themselves to be interested in the goings on at Westminster. I find it very depressing that this sudden interest in our political system had to be prompted by scandal.
I was really disappointed to learn of Minister Jane Kennedy's departure from government. As the Minister responsible for animal welfare she was someone we regularly engaged with. She not only has a dog, but importantly she understood the issues facing the dog world at the moment and we were poised to discuss the Greyhound situation with her next week. We now must get to know a new Minister and begin again to put across our views on compulsory microchipping, puppy farms, pet vending and of course Greyhounds. I am somewhat relieved that the Minister reported to be picking up the animal welfare brief is Jim Fitzpatrick MP, a politician that has shown a clear interest in dog welfare in the past, and someone who is going to be able to get to the grips with the issues quickly.
Dogs Trust Honours - After the Event
On Thursday my inbox was filled with emails from distraught dog lovers who had read or had been sent a copy of a highly distressing article in The Irish Sun. The paper revealed that a man in County Wexford, Ireland is killing Greyhounds unwanted by their trainers for €10 when they are deemed too slow or old to race. This disgusting ‘service’ is carried out on dogs from three and a half to five years old despite Greyhounds having a lifespan of up to 14 years.
This news has shocking parallels with the expose in The Times newspaper in 2006 which prompted the Independent Review of the Greyhound Industry. It is truly appalling that this practice of killing healthy dogs is still taking place despite the review’s recommendations that there needs to be better retirement provision for Greyhounds.
Dogs Trust Honours
With just a few days to go until the second Dogs Trust Honours Awards in association with MedicAnimal.com on the 19th May - there seems to be an intriguing array of event related items everywhere I go at our Head Office. From the giant bone shaped doggy drinking bar in reception, to the giant dog lamps in the press office and the all important golden envelopes dotted about the Fundraising department - there is no escaping that we're are in the final countdown to the big night.
I've been involved with one of the more enjoyable jobs - the judging process. Although it was no easy task picking our shortlist of just three winners in each category from the hundreds of inspiring and emotional entries we received. Along with my fellow judges: Paul O' Grady, Kirsty Gallacher, Kate Humble, Andrew Bucher from our sponsor MedicAnimal.com and Caroline Davis the editor of Dogs Monthly Magazine - I've been humbled to read so many stories of dog devotion and people who dedicate their lives to improving conditions for dogs all over the world.
Dublin and Defra
Tags: DEFRa, greyhound welfare, Dogs Trust Dublin, Ireland, dublin
The latest Association of Dogs and Cats Home (ADCH) meeting fortuitously took place in Dublin which gave me an opportunity to check on the progress of our new Rehoming Centre. It was thrilling to see how much the building work had developed since my last visit - the external structure now looks recognisable as a Dogs Trust Centre rather than a building site. I'm just counting down the months till we can throw open the doors, welcome our first dogs and start the rehoming process.
I always value the ADCH meetings as a means of sharing welfare knowledge and best practices. The range of speakers and subjects was excellent and unlike at other conferences - every seat was taken throughout the 2 days. People resembled sponges soaking up the information in order to apply it within their organisations. I was particularly fascinated by a talk from Doctor Melinda Merch and Randall Lockwood about using veterinary forensics to make and win an animal cruelty case.
Opening an Art Gallery
It has been another diverse couple of weeks at Dog Trust Towers. It started off with a meeting of the Pet Advertising Advisory Committee (PAAG) which is made up of all the major animal welfare charities, the Metropolitan Police, DEFRA, The Kennel Club and the Veterinary bodies. The PAAG committee has two key functions:
a) To inform potential pet owners about where they can get their pet from and provide advice about what they need to consider before buying the animal b)To work with advertisers to prevent unethical or illegal classified advertising of pets
It is quite staggering how many buyers are still ignorant of the pitfalls of buying from a puppy farmer or back-street breeder and how many publishers are unaware that some of their advertisers are presenting illegal advertisements. The PAAG group has developed a website which we will hopefully get distributed to a wide audience and will provide vital guidance for both publishers and pet owners. The website address is: www.paag.org.uk
During the launch period of the PAAG website we are asking people to let us know about any negative experiences they have had when buying a pet from a classified advertisement or to report any illegal or suspicious look classified ads. We would be very grateful if you could contact the group with your concerns at: info@paag.org.uk
From pet adverts to dog art - onto my next meeting which was a first for me as I was invited to "open" a dog specific art gallery in Stockbridge, Hampshire www.dogsinart.com . I highly commend anyone in the area or any dog lovers to go online and have a look at some of the most stunning paintings of dogs. There are the old and the contemporary vying for space on the walls and some of the most enchanting pieces of art. It was no surprise to hear that the owner of the gallery has three lovely Dogs Trust dogs! 
Finally I spent some time over the Easter break in France and my dog spotting radar was kept busy. It always strikes me that although we're supposedly a nation of dog lovers, we do spend a lot of energy and effort banning dogs from certain places! In France I couldn't help but notice how much more welcoming restaurants and shops are to four pawed family members. It seemed that everywhere I went people were enjoying their lunches and dinners with their dog happily sitting at the foot of their table without any concern from other diners or the waiting staff. It would be wonderful to see more places embrace this dog friendly attitude in the UK.
Leaving a lasting legacy
Earlier in the week I visited the home of a gentleman who died late last year and who had left his dog to Dogs Trust via our Canine Care Card scheme. The dog had not been socialised with different people but had been the devoted companion of his elderly owner. When the dog came to us he was understandably very nervous, suffering from arthritis and was a little on the large side. Last week he went to his new home having transformed into the most delightful and sweet natured dog – he had also managed to loose a few pounds with us too.
The elderly gentleman had thoughtfully asked if his home could be made into an old dogs’ paradise after his death and I went along, with colleagues to look at the house’s suitability for this use. The first thing that struck me was the sad state the house had got into in a very short space of time and what a lonely existence it must have been for someone approaching their ninth decade. That said, I know how much the gentleman loved his peaceful life and the companionship of his beloved dog.
Busmans Holidays
Normally when people head off to exotic holiday locations, they leave all thoughts of work behind and embrace their time away from the daily routine. Not Dogs Trust staff. It would seem that our workforce fully support the Busman’s Holiday concept as many of the team enjoy seeking out their local animal rescue centre when travelling abroad. I often hear how people have swapped a bucket and spade on the beach, for a bucket and spade in a kennel block for one day of their holiday.
If not rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck in with the day-to-day work, support is also provided through sharing their valuable experience and expertise or taking supplies out with them to give to the local centre. The latest staff member helping to extend the Dogs Trust network is Rosanna Boylan who works in the Outreach team and co-ordinates our Freedom Project. Rosanna has just returned to our chilly shores from India having made a stop at Animal Tracks, the International Animal Rescue Centre in Assagao, Goa.
Wendy Richard
I’m really saddened to hear about the death of Wendy Richard. Not only was she a well loved actress but she was also passionate about dogs and promoting their welfare.
Her character in EastEnders was well known for her love of Betty the Cairn Terrier and we were privileged to see this love extended off-set for her own dog – also a Cairn Terrier. We suspect that Wendy was very closely involved with the casting of Betty.
It's Award Time
As the award season reaches its height with the Oscars last night we open our nominations for the 2009 Dogs Trust Honours Awards. After the amazing success of last year’s inaugural event which celebrated dogs and their fantastic achievements I’m so looking forward to reading about more incredible canine good deeds. I need to warn the team in the post room to brace themselves for a flood of letters.
This year I’m very lucky to have some help with deciding the winning entries and I’m delighted that the wildlife television presenter Kate Humble and the editor of Dogs Monthly magazine Caroline Davis have both agreed to be judges. This should make the judging process slightly faster as last year I found it so difficult to pick just five winners from the hundreds of wonderful entries.