News from Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home Taily ail WINTER 2019 ... · five-year-old grey white cat with a very cheeky and . lovable personality. During her time at the Home she formed

3Taily Mailedch.org.uk

Taily mailNews from Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

WINTER 2019

Help keep pets cosy this

Christmas!SEE PAGE 14

In this Issue Lexi Button begins

a new chapterSEE PAGE 6-7

In the Spotlight ‘Lynn the Dog Lady’

2 3Taily Mail Taily Mailedch.org.uk edch.org.uk

NEWS AND SUCCESSES

Leo is one of the Home’s longest residents - such an adorable boy, yet he is still struggling to find his perfect forever home. Everyone at the Home has come to love him like our own and know how caring and loyal he is to those he is closest to, we wish the rest of the world knew what they are missing!

Leo first came to us in 2014 and in this time he has been working really hard on his training and socialisation, and has made some real improvements. He is looking for an owner who has the time and dedication to carry on with his training. Leo can be shy with those he does not know so he would also prefer a home in a quieter area where he will have lots of space for running

around. Leo will need to be the only pet but may suit living with older teenagers.

Like every dog, all Leo wants is love and attention and a good old tummy rub when he gets to know you. Leo is very affectionate when he forms a bond and he is nothing but loyal to those he trusts and knows well. At the Home, he enjoys long walks with his trainer where he can run around and show off his clever tricks. Our team have enjoyed watching Leo progress over his years at the Home, and although they love him like their own, they know his opportunity for a forever home is long overdue.

If you are interested in Leo, call us on 0131 669 5331 or visit us at 26 Seafield Road East.

LeoLovable

still searching for his forever home after five years.

There is so many exciting things to talk about from the past few months, it has been barking mad! I am pleased to say that some of my furry friends have found their forever homes and during this time, we have also seen some exciting changes to the Home including brand new paddocks, which we just love running around in, chasing tennis balls. We are also now open on Sundays for boarding and general enquiries so feel free to pop in.

In this issue, we are going to be talking about Lynn the Dog Lady and all her amazing work. You will read about our exciting new vet partnership with Braids and Abercorn veterinary practices, who are well established and trusted veterinary professionals within Edinburgh. Lexi Button has found her forever home and we are pleased to say that she is settling in very well and taking on every opportunity to be even more cheeky and totally adorable.

You will also read about our upcoming events, including our very own Christmas Market and St Andrew’s Ceilidh, so do not miss out.

From me and everyone at the Home, thank you for your endless support. We hope you enjoy reading about our latest adventures.

EDITOR’S NOTES

Welcome

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Taking on a Challenge

On the 8 September over 8,000 people got on their bikes to take part in Pedal for Scotland’s last ride. The youngest participant was a nine-month-old and the oldest an 82-year-old. All the riders together cycled more than 325,000 miles. The 45 mile classic challenge takes place on closed roads between Glasgow and Edinburgh and for the keen cyclist there is the chance to take part in The Big Belter (110 mile return route).

This year a number of animal lovers took part in this brilliant event raising over £1,000! Thank you so much to each and every one of you and to all our fundraisers who run, swim, cycle and walk to help the dogs and cats in our care.

Another year of fantastic Kiltwalk fundraising has almost come to an end. On Sunday 15 September it was Edinburgh’s turn, with 11 supporters taking steps to help the lost, stray and abandoned animals in our care.

This fabulous event brings together humans and dogs for a fun packed walk, taking in some of the capitals most iconic sights. We are so proud of all those who took part in The Wee Wander, Mighty Stride and Big Stroll this year. With fundraising being topped up by an extra 40% the pounds raised on the day go even further. Thanks so much to all those who took part in 2019.

In the Dog House

The return of ‘In the Dog House’ took place on Friday 27 September where a team of business leaders, influencers and celebrities settled down in our boarding kennels armed with their laptops, tablets and mobile phones for a full working day of ‘canine ‘til 5’, to try and raise as much money as possible through their contacts.

In our eyes, everyone who took part was a winner, but there can only be one Top Dog. Congratulations to Shaf Rasul who raised over £9,000 and took home the coveted Top Dog trophy. We are pleased to say the participants have raised a staggering total of £24,000 so far and we are so grateful to everybody who took part. Find out how you can take part next year by contacting [email protected]

Paws by the Prom

On Sunday 1 September we held our annual open day at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home hosted by our mascots Heather and Hamish, welcoming everyone and their furry friends. Taking place in our brand-new paddocks there was lots of fun to be had in our exciting competitions, including bonniest lass, handsomest lad, golden oldie and many more. Thankfully the weather was on our side and we would like to thank everybody who came along and helped us raise almost £5,000 to support the animals in our care.

News

Nathan and Paul raised £515

Keep up to date with the latest news by following us on Twitter

@EdinDogCatHome

Fundraising

FUNDRAISING NEWS More than

£24,000raised at

‘In the Dog House’

Our ‘Top Dog’ Shaf Rasul

Remembering Your Pet

We know that losing a beloved pet is just like losing a member of the family. For this reason, we have recently introduced two memory trees into our very special reflection garden at the Home. We are offering our supporters the opportunity to memorialise their pets by dedicating a leaf on our memory trees.

Your leaf will be placed on the tree for one year and you can come and visit the garden at any time within our opening hours. You will also be given the opportunity to renew your leaf for another year should you wish.

To find out more, speak to our fundraising team on 0131 669 5331 or email [email protected]


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Little Lexi Button was brought to the Home under incredibly sad circumstances in February this year, due to her owner being too unwell to care for her.

Lexi Button, or ‘Lexi B’ for short is a gorgeous five-year-old grey white cat with a very cheeky and lovable personality. During her time at the Home she formed a very special bond with our cattery team, and made sure she was adored by everyone around her. Lexi is an independent girl with a feisty nature and knows exactly what she does and does not like. Because of her playful nature, she soon became an internet sensation with people right across the community enjoying her updates.

After spending eight months at the Home and kicking up a feisty fuss when she was placed in her cat carrier, she was eventually taken under the wing of a lovely local couple who were as excited as we were to see her off to her new home where she will continue to be loved, cared and catered for.

LexiButton

Settling into her new home

After being at her new home for one month, Lexi B is showing confident signs of settling in and has even overcome her fear of the ‘Big Tower’ scratch post where she now likes to show off her courage to her new family by climbing up all by herself. Lexi Button knows she is not a scaredy cat! Her cheeky charm is loved by all and her new family are so happy to have her.

Lexi Button with her new owners, Aaron and Clark

She is a softie really!

MY FOREVER HOME MY FOREVER HOME

To find out how you can change the life of a character like Lexi Button, please get in touch by calling

0131 669 5331

or visit us at

26 Seafield Rd East, Edinburgh, EH15 1EH

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WHAT’S NEW AT THE HOME

We have some exciting updates around the Home to share with you. From 15 September we are now open every Sunday from 9am-4pm for boarding and general enquiries. We are also open for rehoming 10am-3.30pm.

Our first Sunday opening was a huge success and we are pleased to say that on this first day we had 15 rehoming interests, one official rehoming and a selection of visitor information forms completed. Not to mention our brand-new shop in the reception area stocked with lots of exciting goodies proved very popular. Huge thank you to everybody who came along to join us on the first opening, we look forward to welcoming in our future Sunday visitors.

Our New Vet

Partnership

Open Sundays

Our well-stocked shop located in the reception area

Heather and Hamish ready to welcome our first Sunday visitors

The Home also has its own vet, Dr Bridget O’Farrell

This October, the Home is launching an exciting new vet partnership with Braids and Abercorn veterinary practices, who are well established and trusted veterinary professionals within Edinburgh.

This new partnership marks an exciting turn for the Home with its veterinary care work, allowing for the Home to bring on its first ever Shelter Vet onto the staff team and ensure that the aspirational vision of the organisation is being pushed forward into the future. The Home has always been known for its excellent animal care and with Braids and Abercorn joining forces with the Home, we believe we can do more than we have been able to do before. This includes more community engagement, educational outreach and animal welfare promotions and campaigns with passionate vets who share in our critical mission.

15 rehoming interests

on our first day!

Now open

9-4on Sundays



IN THE SPOTLIGHT

LynnIn the Spotlight

well and seemed to be settling. By the second week she was totally confident, happy to play, quite relaxed. I can remember thinking that if that particular dog could cope with boarding then any dog could.

Q What has been your toughest challenge?

All the staff are super busy so getting staff freed up to come to training sessions can sometimes be tricky. That is why volunteers are so important.

Q What has been your fondest memory?

A small group (myself and some of the Home’s staff) met in the large paddock to scatter the ashes of a dog that had been long term at the Home. Although this was a difficult time for all of us, it was heart-warming to see how much the dog was loved and cared for at the Home.

Q Any events that have stood out for you?

The Open Days are always well supported by local people. These have

Lynn Aitchison went to her first dog training class in 1974 and became an independent dog trainer in 1995 running her own classes before even reaching us. At the Home she has worked closely with individual dogs to help prepare them for rehoming along with leading dog training demonstrations, delivering staff training and providing support to customers. However, Lynn’s hard work does not stop there as there are so many of the Home’s achievements that she has been a huge part of. Here are a few words based on her experiences that she would love to share with you.

Q What has been your most rewarding

experience at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home?A very immature Cavalier pup was boarded when around seven months of age. The owners were worried about how she would cope in a kennel situation, so I said I would give the pup a cuddle when I was at the Home. In the middle of the first week, she looked slightly bemused but was eating

changed over the years but remain a very popular event. My main input to these has been having a “Problem Corner” where visitors can get advice about any doggie issues whilst being able to see displays of basic dog training to give visitors an idea of what happens at a training class.

Q What would you say to anybody who is

interested in volunteering at the Home?Go for it! Although it is not just about cuddling kittens and puppies. As a kennel volunteer, you have to be prepared to do lots of cleaning duties in the first few months so wellies are useful. Of course, there are volunteering opportunities in the shops and office too.

Are you interested in volunteering with us? Find out more at: edch.org.uk

Dog trainer ‘Lynn the dog lady’ has supported us for over 20 years and we are so grateful for all her continuous commitment during this time.

TELL

TAILYOUR

To enter, write a story between 100-200 words on any topic of your choosing. Then email it to [email protected] or post to: Tell Your Tail Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home 26 Seafield Road East Edinburgh EH15 1EH

Submit a short story to Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home - one will be chosen each month, recorded, and played to our dogs looking for their forever home!

www.edch.org.uk@EdinDogCatHome

@EdinDogCatHomeEdinDogCatHome

ED30

08_0

8/19

Did You Know?

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home offers

free education workshops to schools

and groups. We can visit you, or host

you at our rehoming centre, to talk all

things pets - get in touch to learn more!


Sunday 24 November 11am-3pmDonations on the gate welcomed Meet Santa Paws Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home 26 Seafield Road East, EH15 1EH

Find out more: edch.org.uk/christmas-market Scottish Charity No. SCoo6914

FoodbankVolunteering

We need you!

Promote and attend fundraising events

Plan your own fundraising events

Raise funds for the Home and place collection cans around your area

Act as an ambassador for the Home and build networks within the community

Recruit new members for the fundraising group

To find out more, contact us on 0131 669 5331 or email [email protected]

What’s Involved...

Every day we are contacted by people who need support in caring for their dog or cat. Social problems such as financial issues, illness, homelessness and domestic abuse can all mean people might struggle to give their pet the care it needs.

We hope to help prevent pets in loving homes arriving at our doors and want to empower owners to continue caring for their animals so they can remain with their families. By providing this support to our community, we can then direct our limited resources to supporting the hundreds of abandoned and stray dogs

and cats who arrive through our doors every year.

Our foodbank will offer wet and dry dog and cat food, jackets, collars, leads, bowls and bedding, all from the surplus donations that the generous public provide to the Home. Our understanding staff will also be on hand to offer pet care advice on an informal and confidential basis.

To find out more about our food bank service, contact us on 0131 669 5331 or email [email protected]

The Home has decided to take action to help dogs, cats and our community who are in need of support by launching our first dedicated dog and cat foodbank.

EVENTS AND NEWS

MemorialWe are sad to announce the passing of Robert (Roy) Connell MBE who many will know from his work as Manager at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home for over 35 years.

A passionate advocate for animal welfare, one of his first accomplishments after starting at the Home in 1964 was to install a heating system to keep the dogs warm through the night.

He was instrumental in the expansion and modernisation of the Seafield site

over the years including a new night kennel built in 1978; the construction of the Dickson Isolation Unit in 1981; a new kennel opened by Sir Ronnie Corbett in 1989; developing a vet partnership for the Home and along with his late wife Millie he set up the ‘Friends’ of the Home starting an ongoing legacy in raising funds which continues to this day.

Mr Connell retired in 2000 and was awarded an MBE for his services to animals. He will be much missed by family, friends and everyone at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home.

Robert Connell MBE



We think of Christmas as a time where we are sat at home, cosied up by the fire with our loved ones surrounding us. While we are all wrapped up with the festive fun we would like to ask you, our kind supporters, to take a moment to think of those who are not as fortunate during these winter months.

When the temperature starts to drop, we all need to stay warm, dry and safe. Cats and dogs are no exception and this winter, we are calling on you to help keep animals warm as the cold weather sets in.

Earlier this year on a crisp morning when opening up our gates for a normal day, our team heard the sound of distressed ‘meows’ coming from the other side. Abandoned, scared and alone in his carrier was a beautiful cat with nothing but a donation and a note. The note gave no indication of where the cat had come from, or the owner’s circumstances - the only information was that his name was Wolfie and he was a ‘problem cat’. The rest would be up to our cattery team to work out, by spending time with Wolfie and understanding his needs.

ChristmasKeeping Pets Cosy this

WOLFIE CHRISTMAS APPEAL

A very playful boy

Over the following days, the cattery staff saw nothing but love from Wolfie. Despite his initial nervousness, he quickly came out of his shell and showed trust with our team. Soon he could not help but show off his playful nature and quickly learned how to get exactly what he wanted – using his handsome and mischievous good looks to be made a fuss of. He had everyone at the Home wrapped round his paws.

It was not long before Wolfie was ready to be rehomed. All he needed was a little patience and understanding from the people around him, to get to know exactly what he liked and disliked. Like us humans, every animal is unique and our team will spend as long as it takes to get to know each animal and find them the perfect match. Where there is hope for a home, we never give up.

We will never know why Wolfie was abandoned at our gates, but we do know he is one of the lucky ones.

After being neutered, we noticed that his behaviour and socialisation improved and this had an impact on how he engages with other cats too.

In our care we were able to provide Wolfie with the love, warmth and care he needed until his perfect family walked through the very same gates in which we found him on that chilly morning. Now, Wolfie can look forward to the warmth of a loving home this Christmas with his new forever family.

Text

WOLFIEto 70085 to donate £4

today.


My Gift to the HomeYour support today could help ensure animals like Wolfie are given that second chance at happiness. Donate today by:

• Visiting www.edch.co.uk/wolfie

• Texting WOLFIE to 70085 to donate £4* (plus your standard rate msg)

• Completing the form below and returning it to: Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, 26 Seafield Road East, Edinburgh, EH15 1EH

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You can change your preferences or unsubscribe from our communications at any time by contacting us at 0131 669 5331 or via email at [email protected]

For more information on our privacy policy, please visit: edch.org.uk/privacy

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Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home would like to keep in touch with you about news, events and the difference you have made to our dogs and cats. Please let us know how you would like us to communicate with you.

* I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year, it is my responsibility to pay any difference. Please notify us if you want to cancel this declaration, change your name or home address or if you no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains.


Christmas MarketSunday 24 November

Friends of the Home Christmas FayreSaturday 7 December

St. Andrew’s CeilidhFriday 29 November

Comedy NightTuesday 3 December

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home26 Seafield Road East Edinburgh EH15 1EH

T: 0131 669 5331 E: [email protected]

Our registered charity number: SC006914

UpcomingEvents

To find out more, go to edch.org.uk/event

News from Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home Taily ail WINTER 2019 ... · five-year-old grey white cat with a very cheeky and . lovable personality. During her time at the Home she formed

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