With less than three weeks until Christmas, the Dogs Trust is on a mission to find the dogs in its care the one gift they all want – a home for life.
The charity is been under great pressure this year, receiving over 32,000 handover enquiries so far from owners no longer able to care for their dogs. Thankfully, in 2024 so far, the charity has also found new homes for more than 6,000 dogs.
The Dogs Trust penned the famous phrase “A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas” back in 1978, and they are looking for people to share their Christman and their life with a pooch this festive season.
Susan Tonner, Rehoming centre manager at Dogs Trust West Calder, just outside Edinburgh says: “Christmas is fast approaching, and we are hoping to find forever homes for as many dogs as possible ahead of the festive season. While the DogsTrust team will make sure that the dogs in our care over Christmas are well looked after, with festive treats and gifts galore, we all know there’s nowhere quite like home. We are certain that there is a fantastic forever home for each and every one of ourdogs, and we’d like to see as many as possible settled in their new happy places ahead of Christmas.”
To see if you’re a potential match, just fill in an application form here with all your details and let the Dogs Tust match you up with a suitable pet.
They’ll then look at how closely your lifestyle matches the needs of the dog and, if you’re a great fit for your selected animal, they’ll invite you to meet your prospective up.
They may also organise a home check to make sure it’s suitable for your new family member.
You can also pop into the rehoming centre before submitting the application to see the dogs beforehand.
Here are 14 of the dogs currently looking for a home.
1. Jack
Jack is a 5-month-old Border Collie and arrived with very little background history. He is looking for an experienced home who can continue his training and help build his confidence. Jack is looking for a home as the only pet so his owners can focus on him 1:1 to help him grow into a confident dog. Jack could live with children aged 14-years-old and over and would like a calm and quiet household where he can flourish. He will need to have his own enclosed garden so he has got a safe space to explore the outside world. | Dogs Trust
2. Jamie
Jamie is a 7-year-old Lurcher. He is a friendly boy but can take a little time to build up a bond with people. Jamie would like to be the only pet in the home and can live with children aged 14 and above. Jamie can be unsure around other dogs and is looking for an experienced home that can support him with this and continue to walk him in quiet areas where he can avoid any off-lead dogs. Jamie is not used to being left alone so would need someone at home with him most of the day to help him build this up gradually. | Dogs Trust
3. Harvey
Harvey is a lovely 3-Year-Old Staffordshire Bull Terrier. He is a very sweet boy who can be a little unsure of people to begin with, but warms up quickly and loves affection. He is looking for an experienced home and can live with children aged 10-Years-Old and above. Harvey would like access to his own secure garden to play and is happy to travel in the car for adventures. He is happy passing other dogs when on walks however can feel worried when dogs come close to him so would like owners who understand this. Harvey would therefore like to be the only pet in the home and would make a great new furry friend for a family. | Dogs Trust
4. Bonnie
Bonnie is a sweet 4-Year-Old French Bulldog. Bonnie can be a worried girl and would like a family who can take things at her pace. She can live with children aged 16-Years-Old and above and would like to be the only pet in the home. She is quite happy to pass by other dogs, however does not show any interest in making doggy friends. She is quite happy to sit on the sofa for a gentle fuss and would like a home with her own garden to explore and sunbathe in. She would like someone at home for most of the day as she is not used to being alone and would need this built up gradually. Bonnie is happy to travel in the car, but may need some help getting in. | Dogs Trust