SPECIAL FEATURE BY - Dogs Trust

Dogs Trust is the UK's largest dog welfare charity and cares for 16,000

dogs a year through its network of 17 rehoming centres across the country. Please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk for further information about the work of the charity and for details of the rehoming centres. Dogs Trust is working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.

HISTORY OF DOGS TRUST
Founded in 1891 to protect dogs from 'torture and ill-usage of every kind', Dogs Trust has now pursed its goal with determination for over one hundred years. In 2003, Dogs Trust changed its name, which was originally NCDL or the National Canine Defence League, to more accurately reflect the work that we now undertake.

The beginning
A 'small party of gentlemen' brought together by Lady Gertrude Stock in a room off the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington during the first ever Crufts dog show, vowed to campaign for the protection of strays, the provision of proper veterinary care and to campaign against muzzling, prolonged chaining, and experimentation on dogs - a widespread practice at the time.

Vowing never to turn down a reasonable request for help, Dogs Trust began operations funded entirely by donations from members and supporters. In 1902 membership totalled 1000 for the first time and continued to grow steadily to 6,500 members by 1910. Today Dogs Trust has over 550,000 members and supporters.

Dogs Trust at war

Through both world wars when food became scarce and public opinion began to suggest that maybe dogs should provide food rather than consume it, Dogs Trust stressed the value of dogs as rat catchers, thus saving over 75 million tonnes of food per year. By making personal representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Dogs Trust persuaded him to reverse his decision to destroy 50% of the dogs in the country.
During World War I Dogs Trust paid for over 12,500 dog licences; a valuable help to families whose bread-winner was away at war.

The outbreak of World War II led to Dogs Trust issuing instructions for constructing a gas-proof kennel and gas masks for dogs through appeals on the BBC. Numerous leaflets were produced giving advice on coping with anticipated emergencies such as:

Dogs and the in Poison gas and domestic pets
Air raid precautions for dogs War time dog food

Another slightly more unusual illustration of Dogs Trust's war work was the collecting of combings from members' dogs' fur to be knitted into clothing for the troops. This was a very successful operation, which continued for many years.

The services of Dogs Trust were also advertised at military camps in the UK so that dogs who attached themselves could be found homes when camps disbanded. They also found homes for volunteer dogs (messengers, guard dogs, rat catchers) when the war came to an end and helped with quarantine bills for dogs befriended by soldiers at the front and subsequently brought home.

Clinics

The first Dogs Trust clinic offering free treatment opened in Bethnal Green in 1926 and by 1939 there were nine across London dealing with over 80,000 animal patients a year (the service was not confined to dogs).

The clinic at Hackney was completely destroyed during the war, but was soon reopened nearby. By 1949 there were 13 clinics offering a full hospital service throughout the country. The last clinic closed in 1980.

Dogs Trust today

 Today

Dogs Trust cares for more than 16,000 stray and abandoned dogs every year at our 17 Rehoming Centres throughout the UK. A non-destruction policy was adopted in 1964 and today, dogs that cannot for some reason be rehomed, can be sponsored and become permanent residents.

We campaign at both local and national level on a wide range of different issues that directly impact on the welfare of dogs both in the UK and abroad.
Special Thank you to the Dog Trust Charity