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.
5. Taco
Taco is 4-year-old Chihuahua. Taco may be small but has a huge personality! He will need time and space when meeting people, however once he trusts you he will happily be your best friend. Taco is looking for a quiet and calm adult only home and to be the only pet. Taco would like his own garden where he can potter around and enjoy lounging in sunny spots. Taco can be worried when meeting strangers and dogs when out on walks so is looking for an experienced home who have had a dog with a similar nature who can support him with this. | Dogs Trust
6. Ruby
Ruby is a beautiful 2 year old crossbreed. She is looking for a home where she can be the only pet in the house. She would love to live in a calm, adult only home and have her own garden to play with her toys. She is happy being left in the home for a few hours, is fully housetrained and loves to travel for adventures in the car. She would make a great addition to a calm, understanding family. | Dogs Trust
7. Lawson
Lawson is an 2-year-old German Shepherd. Lawson is a big friendly lad who is great fun to be around. He is at his best when spending time with his family doing some 1-2-1 training, playing games or having a snuggle on the sofa. He is looking for experienced owners who are familiar with the shepherd breed and are keen to continue his training. He can forget his manners when he is excited or bored and can do alert barking. He is looking for someone who can work on this with him and keep his mind and body busy! He is a young and energetic boy who would love to have an active family to take him on lots of exciting adventures in quiet areas and who are able manage his strength on the lead. Lawson is a happy boy who can live with children aged 16 and above and would like to be the only pet in the home. He struggles around other dogs and would like to walk in quiet, calm areas where he is unlikely to see other dogs. He is playful lad who loves to chase after his toys, especially his favourite squeaky alligator. He loves to interact with his people and prefers to play games with you instead of entertaining himself. He would love to have a garden where he can do lots of zoomies, continue his training and have fun with his family. | Dogs Trust
8. Freya
Freya is a 1-year-old Belgian Mallinois cross. Freya is a super sweet girl who has come into our care from a background where she has not experienced much of normal everyday life. Freya is looking for a home with experienced owners who understand the level of exercise and mental stimulation she will require. She will need an active home and could live with children aged 14-years-old and above. Freya would like to be the only pet in the home and will need an enclosed garden for her to play in and burn off her energy. | Dogs Trust