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.
9. Stuart Little Shortlegs
Stuart Little Shortlegs is an 9 year old Jack Russell. He is a cheeky wee chap who likes attention from the people he loves. Being so small in a big world, he is nervous by loud noises, and can be worried by people he doesn't know and takes time to make friends. He is looking for an adult only home and would like to be the only pet in the home. He will love his owners unconditionally, will always greet you with the cutest bum wiggle and happy smile, and is looking for an adult only home with experienced owners who have had Terriers before. He would like his own garden where he can spend time off his lead playing or relaxing. Stuart Little Shortlegs does prefer the quiet life and would need a home with few visitors and a calm environment. | Dogs Trust
10. Grace
Grace is a 2 year old Shih Tzu who is looking for a quiet and understanding family. She is an extremely worried girl and is looking for a home that has a very secure garden with direct access from the house. Because of how nervous Grace is she will need an area of the home where she can stay in for a period of time whilst she settles in to her new surroundings. This would ideally be a kitchen area which has direct access out to the garden where a small section may need to be enclosed whilst she settles in. Grace needs to be the only pet in an adult only home. | Dogs Trust
11. Lenny
Lenny is an 8 year old Shih Tzu cross and is a nervous boy who needs time and space when meeting new people. Once he trusts you, he will happily be your best friend. Lenny is looking to live in a calm adult only home and to be the only pet in the house. Lenny is a playful boy and knows how to have fun, he enjoys playing with his teddies or trying to catch a bouncy ball. He would like a nice safe garden where he can potter around off his lead or enjoy laying in a sunny spot. | Dogs Trust