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Dogs Trust launches memorial walk for grieving dog owners
The memorial walk will take attendees through Salcey Forest in Northamptonshire.
Eighty-nine per cent of adults said losing a pet was like losing family.

Dogs Trust is to host its first ‘Walk for Our Old Friends’ (WOOF) event this October, to support those who are grieving the loss of a dog.

It follows a survey from the charity which revealed that 89 per cent of UK adults felt losing a pet to be like losing a family member.

Despite these feelings, approximately half of respondents said that they had experienced barriers in expressing their grief. Twenty-two per cent believed that others would not understand their feelings, while 13 per cent could not find the words to open up about how they felt.

Many also felt that their grief would not be understood, with 22 per cent saying others wouldn’t understand their feelings and 12 per cent feeling embarrassed by their levels of distress.

Although 74 per cent said they could turn to close family to share their feelings of grief, only 13 per cent felt they could discuss it with employers and colleagues.

Dogs Trust’s WOOF event hopes to bring together those who have experienced the loss of a dog for a remembrance event. It hopes that attendees will feel comfortable sharing memories of their pet to come to terms with their loss.

A 3.5km walk will take place on Sunday, 6 October 2024 between 4pm-7pm, at Salcey Forest in Northamptonshire. The walk will take attendees through the forest, where there will be opportunities for remembrance and celebration.

The charity will also supply resources for those experiencing loss, as well as those on-site who are supporting them.

Samantha Davis, legacy and in-memory manager at Dogs Trust, said: “The loss of a pet dog can be as devastating as losing a family member. Dogs hold a special place in our hearts, offering unconditional love and companionship, and when they pass away, the grief can be profound and, sadly for some, isolating.

“It's really important that owners who experience the loss of their canine companions can open up and share their feelings with friends and family. Many will find solace in knowing they are not alone."  

More details about the WOOF event and online resources can be found here.

Image © Dogs Trust

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.