SMALL BITES
THE PEDIGREE ADOPTION DRIVE DOG TAG TEAM
This month, the UK will witness the launch of The Pedigree Adoption Drive Dog Tag Team, the longest ever sponsored dog relay walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats, as part of Pedigree’s annual campaign to raise awareness of the issue of dog abandonment in the UK.
The Dog Tag Team aims to highlight the plight of the 100,000 abandoned or stray dogs in the UK every year. It also offers the chance for owners and their dogs to help other, less fortunate dogs and promotes the need for responsible dog ownership. The route consists of 246 individual ‘dog legs’ and meanders through Britain’s cities, towns and country roads.
Celebrity ambassador Amanda Holden walked the first dog leg with her rescue dog Fudge from Land’s End on 1st March. She adopted him nine years ago, so she knows first hand just how rewarding it can be to give a dog a loving home. Amanda said: “I was honoured to launch The Pedigree Adoption Drive Dog Tag Team to show my support for such a worthy campaign.” It is hoped The 2009 Pedigree Adoption Drive Dog Tag Team will raise £600,000 to help hundreds of UK dog charities continue their fantastic work in re-homing thousands of Britain’s abandoned dogs.
There are lots of ways you can support the initiative.
To find out how, click here for more information.
NOEL’S HQ PLEDGES SUPPORT WITH ITS GIVE A DOG A PHONE APPEAL!
Support Dogs received a massive boost following their appearance on Noel’s HQ program on Sky One with the launch of the programs national appeal to ‘Give a Dog a Phone’.
Noel’s HQ has teamed up with Orange to encourage hand-set hoarders to recycle their old phones, with the money raised going to Support Dogs.
“We all have mobile phones lying in drawers and cupboards, never to be used again. Now we’ve found a way to help you clear out those old drawers and raise money for this extremely worthy Charity ” says Noel.
In its first 36 hours the campaign has generated over 1200 phone donations making an impact in potential funds for Support Dogs at over £6,000.00. As each assistance dog costs in the region of £10,000 to train and care for throughout his working life, funds are always needed to help more people benefit from these highly specialist dogs.
To help Support Dogs, all you have to do is take your old phones to any Orange shop in the UK and pop them into the special Freepost Noel’s HQ envelope. And this appeal is not just for Orange customers: all networks are welcome!
Angela Gregory, Support Dogs Fundraising Manager commented: “As a small charity with limited resources, to have the support Noel and his team plus everyone at Orange on such an appeal is simply fantastic. Like many charities, Support Dogs has been affected by the recession and donations have fallen; so this campaign couldn't have happened at a better time.”
PAW OUT YOUR SUPPORT FOR BRITAIN’S NEEDY PETS
It’s time to dust off your best china, get your teapots at the ready and join The Blue Cross for the nation’s biggest tea party for pets. Ring all your acquaintances from all sectors, may they be random neighbors or previous friends who now work on companies as big as Aviva, and invite them all over for tea. The charity is asking animal lovers across the country to get together and host a tea party on Friday 15 May to help raise funds for the needy animals in its care.
To take part in The Blue Cross Tea Party event, participants simply host a tea party of their own and invite friends, family, colleagues or neighbours to come along and make a donation to The Blue Cross in return for tea, cake or refreshments of their choice. Proceeds from each party will go towards supporting the charity’s work caring for thousands of sick and homeless pets at its adoption centres, animal hospitals and mobile veterinary clinics across the UK.
Blue Cross events officer, Tracey Chittock said: “Last year Blue Cross supporters raised an incredible £34,000 by hosting tea parties nationwide to help the animals in our care. This is the equivalent of funding a Blue Cross community nurse for a year, who treats poorly pets of people unable to afford private veterinary care in their own homes. We’d like to encourage animal lovers everywhere to take part this year – helping needy pets really can be as simple as putting the kettle on!”
The Blue Cross helps many thousands of sick and homeless animals every year, but the charity receives no government funding, so it relies on the support of the public to continue its vital work.
A fundraising pack including lots of useful supporting materials will be sent to those who register to take part. To find out how to host a Blue Cross Tea Party, please click here or phone 08444 993 663. Register now to make a difference to animals in need.
URGENT MARATHON APPEAL
The RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre has one Bond Place left for the London Marathon on Sunday 26th April.
As well as running the 26 mile course, you need to raise £1300.
However, we can provide you with tips on how to do this, and help you to set up your own fundraising web page, and get you publicity in your local newspapers.
If you would like to take up this challenge, please contact Helen Tuite, Community Fundraising Manager, on 07715 540518
RSPCA APPEAL FOR UNWANTED CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
Do you have any unwanted Christmas presents? If so, there’s no need for them to be stuffed in a drawer and forgotten. The Birmingham RSPCA are always on the look out for tombola or raffle prizes, so if you've got anything you think might be suitable, please call Liz Armour on 0121 246 9958.
All the money raised will go towards looking after all the animals at the RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre in Barnes Hill, Weoley Castle.
ON YOUR MARKS TO REGISTER FOR THE BATH HALF MARATHON
The new Fundraising Manager at Bath Cats and Dogs Home is urging more people to take on the challenge of a lifetime and run the Bath Half Marathon in aid of Bath Cats and Dogs Home.
Sarah Thorn will be running the half marathon on Sunday 15th March, is looking for 5 more runners to take on Golden Bond places and help raise the vital funds needed to provide essential shelter, veterinary care and re-homing services to more than 3,000 dogs, cats and small animals every year.
Elizabeth Goddard, spokesperson for the Home and fellow Half Marathon runner, comments: “We are a totally independent, selffunding charity and we rely solely on donations, fundraising and legacies to meet our £1.2 million annual operating costs. We are urgently asking runners to submit their forms with the £35 registration fee initially with a commitment to raising sponsorship for £175. Please do get in touch.”
Anyone wishing to run on behalf of the animal charity should contact the Fundraising Department on: 01225 787333. Alternatively, information and donation forms can be found on its website.
THE PAWFECT WAY FOR YOU AND YOUR POOCH TO GET IN SHAPE FOR 2009
With the cold winter months behind us and spring just around the corner, there are no more excuses for sitting inside and piling on the pounds. And what better way to get out and enjoy the fresh air than trying one of the UK’s 21 Top Dog Walks?
Voted for by more than 5,500 members of the public, the list includes places all over the UK, stretching from the Fife Coastal Path all the way down to the Portsmouth Seafront. Amanda Smyth, Head of Marketing at Enjoy England says: “With the current economic climate and weak pound making holidays abroad much more expensive, we expect the number of families choosing to holiday in their own country next year to increase dramatically. What’s more, a domestic break is often the easiest and best way to holiday with a pet, and with these 21 walks, if you holiday in the country, coast or even a city, there’s no excuse not to take the dog!”
Now into its second year, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and National Tourist Boards, Enjoy England, VisitWales and VisitScotland launched the 21 Top Dog Walks campaign to help increase awareness of canine obesity, which now affects up to 50 per cent of dogs. Robert Gundry, consumer marketing manager at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, says: “By simply choosing the correct diet and taking your dog for a walk twice-a-day you can help reduce canine obesity and the risk of related conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, breathing difficulties and diabetes. If you are worried about your dog’s weight make sure you visit your local vet for some advice.”
However, walking is not only great for your pet, it is also the perfect way to reduce your carbon footprint and save some money in 2009. So why not grab that lead and enjoy a long walk in the beautiful English countryside, beside the coast or in national parks...
THE 21 TOP DOG WALKS
- Beaulieu – Hampshire
- Chislet to Marshside – Kent
- Cuerdon Valley Park – Lancashire
- Daisy Nook - Lancashire
- Dinder common & Sharcombe Park Woods – Somerset
- Dinton Pastures – Berkshire
- Druridge Bay – Northumberland
- Fife Coastal Path – Fife
- Halkyns Four Peaks - Flintshire
- Heysham Old Village – Lancashire
- Limekilns and Quarries – Flintshire
- Looe to Polperro along the Coast Path – Cornwall
- Milford Common to Shugborough Hall – Staffordshire
- Millenium Ribble Link – Lancashire
- Portsmouth Seafront – Hampshire
- Preston Junction Nature Reserve – Lancashire
- Round Chesterfield Walk – Derbyshire
- Royden Park to Thurstaston Hill – Mersyside
- Stoke Prior Canal – Worcestershire
- Thieves’ Wood – Nottinghamshire
- Woods, Buffalo and Hill Forts – Flintshire