Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home makes Winter Appeal
Bagel's rescue was made possible by charitable donations.
The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has launched an urgent Winter Appeal for support, as it reaches a record number of surrender requests.
The appeal also comes as the charity predicts increased running costs during the winter, adding strain to its rescue, rehoming and food bank services.
The rescue and rehoming centre reported its highest number of surrender requests on record in July, with a 236 per cent increase from October 2022. However, the high demand has meant that the centre has only been able to take 8.8 per cent of the requests.
Despite these challenges, the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home rehomed 167 dogs and 81 cats between January and August 2023.
The centre’s food banks, which were launched in 2019, have also seen increased demand for their support in East and Central Scotland.
The food banks were launched as a way to prevent pet owners who are struggling with costs from feeling forced to surrender their pets. However, the charity believes that the cost of living crisis has resulted in more demand for these services.
The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home relies on public funding and volunteer support to continue its animal rescue services.
Charity donations are vital for the charity to save dogs such Bagel, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who suffered years of chronic neglect. Bagel arrived at the centre blind and deaf, due to a dry eye condition and severe ear mites.
She was anaemic and malnourished, weighing half the weight that she should have been. Her fur was filthy and matted, and she had develop bald patches due to her sickness.
Due to the charity providing months of treatment and care, Bagel has since made a full recovery at the rescue centre.
However the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home anticipates that this winter will be a difficult season, especially with increasing energy prices increasing their costs. The charity is appealing for donations so that it can continue to provide its services.
Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine, CEO of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said: “We have seen a devastating increase in the number of surrender requests that we have received this year. This is due to various factors, including financial difficulties, behavioural issues and personal circumstances.
“We have supported pets for 140 years and it’s so important now, more so than ever, that we continue to receive donations and help provide dogs like Bagel with a safe place to recover, find love and also enable owners going through hard times to stay together with their pets.”
Donations can be made here.
Image © The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
