Dogs Trust Merseyside is celebrating 25 years of helping dogs find their forever families across the region and beyond.
Since opening its doors in August 1999, the Huyton-based rehoming centre has seen dogs head off to more than 15,500 loving homes and Georgina Lowery, Manager at the centre, has been witness to the vast majority of those as she has worked at the centre from the very beginning.
Georgina says: “It is incredible that we’ve been here for 25 years. It has flown by and thanks to the support of dog lovers across Merseyside, and further afield, we have been able to help thousands of dogs who have had to say goodbye to everything they’ve ever known.
“Everything we have achieved is down to the public; from rehoming our wonderful dogs to volunteering to supporting our events and constantly bringing in donations every month of every year. It has been amazing.”
As well as rehoming every breed and size of dog, from Dachshunds to Dalmatians, Bichon Frise to Saint Bernards:
- 226 puppies have been born at the centre
- The most common breeds arriving at the centre are Crossbreeds, Jack Russell Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers, Border Collies, Greyhounds and Shih Tzus.
- The rarest breeds to have walked through the doors, with only one finding themselves at the centre, include Great Swiss Mountain Dog, Bouvier Des Flandres, Portuguese Water Dog and Deerhound.
- The top three girl’s names are Bella, Molly and Poppy.
- The top three boys’ names are Max, Sam and Ben.
- 724 dogs have benefited from being cared for in a foster home thanks to a team of volunteer foster carers
- Dogs have headed off to homes across the UK including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands and one now lives in Bermuda!
To celebrate the special birthday the team held an event to say thank you to volunteers and supporters and comedian Justin Moorhouse went along with his three-year-old Cocker Spaniel, Polly, who he adopted from Dogs Trust Merseyside as a puppy.
Justin says: “I am so glad I’ve been able to join in the birthday celebrations and celebrate the success of Dogs Trust. Polly was a smuggled pup and what I love about Dogs Trust is that it not only helps dogs that have had to leave their homes for so many reasons, but it also works to help improve the lives of all dogs and save the lives of dogs like Polly who suffered so much at such a young age.
“Dogs are wonderful and every single one deserves to be treated with kindness and respect and to be at the heart of a loving home. Thanks to Dogs Trust Merseyside and all its supporters, the team has helped thousands of dogs find their ideal families, which is definitely something to celebrate. Here’s to the next 25 years and beyond.”
Georgina says: “We have had many memorable moments over the years whether that was Crossbreed Lexi who was with us for nine years who finally found a loving home or Snowy, the 20-year-old West Highland Terrier, who was the oldest dog we have ever found a new home for.
“The last few years have of course been tough as a result of the pandemic and the cost of living, but we continue to find dogs the homes they deserve.
“We are also about to embark on a rebuild of the centre which will mean even better facilities for our dogs whilst they are with us.
“I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the volunteers that have helped us and anyone that has supported us in any way over the last 25 years. We would urge anyone who is looking to welcome a four-legged friend into their life to consider adopting. There’s nothing more rewarding for us than seeing a dog head home with a new family and we know that that family, and dog, are going to live their best lives together.”
If you would like to support Dogs Trust Merseyside, or find out more about all the dogs waiting for their forever homes, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/merseyside
The centre is open 12pm-4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and at the weekends.
