It's a slogan that is repeated each year, but sadly it needs repeating:
CANINE CHRISTMAS AT DOGS TRUST RODEN
A reminder that “A dog is for Life, Not just for Christmas®”
Thirty one years on from the birth of its famous slogan “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas®” Dogs Trust, which has 18 Rehoming Centres in the UK and Ireland, is bracing itself for another busy Christmas.
In 1978 20% of dogs were given as gifts whereas in 2008 this figure was just 1.8%. However, this still represents 131,400 dogs per year. Sadly many pups are abandoned soon after being given as presents, while older dogs can be dumped to make way for the newer pups.
Last year two Staffordshire Bull Terriers were tied to the gates on Christmas night. Once of the dogs was pregnant and later gave birth to pups. The previous year a young puppy was put over the fence on Christmas night. Sadly many pups are abandoned soon after being given as presents. Often older dogs are abandoned to make way for the newer pups.
To help prevent people thoughtlessly buying dogs as Christmas presents, Dogs Trust Roden Rehoming Centre will not rehome dogs from Sunday 20th December to 2nd January. People can visit and reserve a dog, but will not be able to take it home until the New Year.
Christmas at Dogs Trust Roden
As well as taking in abandoned dogs over the Christmas period, staff will continue their usual busy job of looking after 150 dogs in their care. Whilst other people are preparing the turkey, the staff at the centre will be hands on cleaning the kennels and walking the dogs. At lunchtime we give dogs Santa sacks filled with toys and treats sent in from dog lovers all over the country. Some staff will also hand feed pups throughout the night over the holiday period.
Louise Campbell, Dogs Trust Roden Manager comments;
““The A dog is for life, not just for Christmas® slogan is just as relevant today as it was when our Chief Executive created it 31 years ago. Some of the reasons we hear for dogs being abandoned are truly outrageous and saddening. Having a dog is a long-term commitment and the Christmas period gives us the opportunity to remind people that dogs are not fashion accessories or disposable items that can be upgraded or discarded after just a few months.”
Please visit Dogs Trust Roden at Roden Lane Farm, Telford, Shropshire, TF6 6BP or contact: 01952 770 225.
The slogan “A dog is for life not just for Christmas®” was the brainchild of Dogs Trust Chief Executive Clarissa Baldwin. Not only is the slogan one of the most recognisable straplines in the UK but its message has been heeded. The slogan is a registered trademark belonging to the charity so any aspiring ‘sloganeers’ wishing to use it must obtain prior written permission from Dogs Trust.
- Dogs Trust is the UK’s leading dog welfare charity and has a network of 18 Rehoming Centres across the UK and Ireland. The charity cares for over 16,000 stray, unwanted and abandoned dogs each year. Dogs Trust has a non-destruction policy, and will never put a healthy dog to sleep. The charity is working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.
For more information on Dogs Trust please go to www.dogstrust.org.uk or call 020 7837 0006.