Dogs Home calls for donations in memory of loved ones

Birmingham Dogs Home is inviting dog lovers across the Midlands to pay tribute to lost loved ones this Christmas by donating in their name and helping local homeless dogs at the same time.

The charity has launched a new online memorial service on its website and has unveiled a Tribute Tree sculpture which has 450 beautiful gold, silver and bronze leaves, which can each be engraved with a personalised message in memory of a loved one.

The charity 's head of Fundraising, Fi Harrison said: “Our supporters are always very kind, remembering our dogs at Christmas, helping us to buy a Christmas dinner for every dog and make the day as special as we can for them. This year we wanted to make it even more personal by offering the opportunity for supporters to donate in memory of a loved one.

“Christmas is a time when we remember those dearest to us and this year more than ever, many of us will be remembering loved ones who cannot be with us to share family celebrations, which is why we have launched our “A December to Remember ” Appeal. ”

This will be the first Christmas that many families will spend with a new dog, after the popularity of dog ownership soared during last year 's “lockdowns ”. However, there are lots of dogs that won 't have a cosy home to call their own this Christmas and Birmingham Dogs Homes ' rescue centres, in Birmingham and Wolverhampton are currently at capacity. Birmingham Dogs Home, works across the Midlands, accepting neglected, abused and abandoned dogs from nine local authorities in the region.

Giles Webber, Birmingham Dogs Home 's chief executive said “It has been a tough year for the animal welfare sector. Enforced rescue centre closures during lockdowns meant additional financial pressures for the sector. In addition, we have been receiving more dogs with critical medical conditions in the last six months, which we believe has been caused by disregard for medical genetic predispositions in certain breeds, by breeders prioritising profit over animal welfare. ”

If you would like to dedicate a tribute leaf, make a donation in memory of a loved one, or donate a Christmas dinner for a dog without a home this year, visit the charity 's website www.birminghamdogshome.org.uk.