| Help dogs by dog walking |
Can't take on a dog long term or at all? Dog walking could be a great way to get active with a waggy tail & canine friend at your side. |
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| Help care for a dog whose owner is elderly or terminally ill, or offer to walk a dog for a friend who is sick, or going through a tricky patch (such as a divorce) or an elderly neighbour who is beginning to find it hard to walk their dog daily. Your help can make the difference between the pet owner keeping the dog and giving him up. The Cinnamon Trust needs reliable volunteers who fully understand the magic of the animal-human bond to help with dog walking for owners who are elderly or terminally ill. |
Helping to Train an Assistance Dog. Canine Partners for example look for bed and breakfast situations for their dogs, where the animals in training are based in their Sussex-based headquarters during the working week day and you pick them up at 5 every day to take them home, dropping them off at in the mornings. They are also on the look out for puppy parents who are willing to train pups to become assistance dogs. |
Even if you cannot take a dog permanently, perhaps you could offer to FOSTER a dog i.e. offer temporary accommodation for a dog who is looking for a home but not doing well in kennels in a rescue centre. An example is the Pet Foster Support Service in Scotland at http://www.pfss.org.uk/ |
Help out at your local animal rescue centre. There are hundreds small and large centres around the country and they all need help. Even if they do not need hands-on-fur help, many will welcome your efforts to raise money for them through sponsored walks, runs, swims, slims and helping with all sorts of activities to help keep them going. See below for examples. |
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Dog Walking - a new business, perhaps? Walk dogs while their owners are at work - great exercise for you and a potential new opportunity. Why not combine it with a franchise to sell pet food by delivery? |
Dog Grooming - a new career or business of your own? Once again, franchises abound and you could find yourself with a mobile opportunity, or setting up in a salon. All hands to the pump and fur! |
Pet sitting. Many people prefer their animals to stay at home while they are sunning themselves on holiday, hence the growth of pet sitting services. Some companies (such as Homesitters) are always on the look out for reliable, trustworthy people to sit. |
Caring for dogs who have retired from their careers Many dogs give their lives in service to others, whether they are assisting someone with a disability, doing search and rescue or playing their role in the security services. Could you give these well trained and professional animals a well deserved retirement? |
Walking a dog two or three times a day could help your health & wellbeing:
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You're more active which will help boost your metabolism and burn off those calories.
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You could develop a new network of dog-loving friends.
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If you want to lose weight or boost your fitness levels, why not get a pedometer to put on your wrist and log all those miles you're walking?
You could see if these charities need your help; some have branches or shops all over the country, while others are one-offs. Dog Rescue Pages below will take you through to many small charities. |
Local rescue charities - do a search here for yours
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If you are thinking of getting a dog...
Why not offer to look after a friend or neighbour's dog first for a couple of weeks while they are on holiday to see if taking a dog into your life is really, honestly and truly for you and your lifestyle?
PLEASE remember that dogs come with responsibilites, 365 days of the year.
In particular, they have a right to:
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constant access to fresh water
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an appropriate diet of food (not chocolate, by the way, unless it's made specifically for dogs)
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regular exercise (even if you don't feel like it; sending your dog out into the garden doesn't constitute exercise)
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mental stimulation and play
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freedom from pain, injury and illness
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a clean living environment
To help other charities, please ensure that your dog is neutered, microchipped (or identified by other means) and vaccinated.
NEVER leave a dog in a car, caravan, conservatory or similar space on a hot day,
even if you are "just going to be 10 minutes"
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Do you know of a pub with great food where your best friend will receive a warm welcome?
This is the place to give it the thumbs up and show your support! |
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