Leeds and Wakefield Dogs Trust reveal appeal to the community to adopt a furry friend this Christmas

The charity has encouraged locals to help make a canine’s Christmas wish come true this festive season.

The York Street branch, which currently cares for up to 80 dogs, has rehomed over 550 pooches within the last year and hopes to continue with their success.

Following a tough financial year, the branch has thanked the community for their overwhelming support in adopting dogs, donating to the centre and allowing the centre to continue their aim of helping and rehoming pups in need.

Now, the centre is appealing to families to open their hearts, and their homes, this Christmas to ensure lonely pups can receive the best present by finding their forever homes.

The festive season has proved a tough time with rehoming rates dramatically decreasing however, staff and volunteers at the centre have hope that with families having additional time off, and more people working from home may lead to them looking for a permanent furry friend.

For the dogs unable to find a forever home this Christmas, the centre has also revealed their plans to ensure they have a day to remember by giving them a festive doggy dinner on the special day as well as gifts provided by generous supporters.

Matthew Howden, Assistant Manager at Dogs Trust Leeds and Wakefield says: "For those dogs in our care at Christmas, we will make sure will make sure that every single one has a wonderful day.

"But we would love to see them in their forever home as soon as possible so we’d encourage anyone looking for a new four-legged friend in the new year to consider adopting one of the brilliant dogs in our care and give them another chance to be happy at the heart of a loving home.”

Despite the appeal, Matthew and the centre has reiterated the importance of Dogs Trust’s popular Christmas campaign that a dog is for life, not just for Christmas.

Dogs Trust coined the popular slogan over 40 years ago, with it enforcing that dogs are not and should not be Christmas presents.

"We want to remind people that dog ownership is a lifelong commitment which must be carefully considered, not just at Christmas but all year round." Matthew continues.

"We will only ever rehome a dog after careful discussion with their new family, and if they’re having a particularly busy Christmas, the dog will stay and celebrate Christmas with us, ready to head off to their new home in the New Year.” 

Adam Clowes, Operations Director at the Dog’s Trust said: “Every year – even on Christmas Day itself – we have dogs brought to us from people who have received them as presents and don’t want them.

“Dogs are a wonderful addition in the right circumstances, but before bringing one into our homes we all need to think whether they are right for our lifestyles and, whether we can give them a home for life.”