On Friday (6th December) MEP for Scotland, Struan Stevenson, visited the Glasgow Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre and was greeted by a number of VIPs (very important pooches). The MEP made many new furry friends at the centre, including Pip an adorable little crossbreed terrier.
Mr Stevenson took the opportunity to discuss key dog welfare issues, including the very topical issue of Christmas abandonment with Dogs Trust Public Affairs Manager Laura Vallance and Dogs Trust Glasgow Rehoming Centre Manager, Sandra Lawton. Staff explained the benefits of microchipping, a simple and effective tool that Dogs Trust believes should be made compulsory in Scotland to help trace abandoned pets back to irresponsible owners and reduce the number of healthy dogs unnecessarily put to sleep in the country.
Speaking following the visit, Sandra Lawton, Manager of Dogs Trust Glasgow, said:
“The staff at the centre and I were delighted to welcome Struan to Dogs Trust Glasgow. The dogs, too, were very excited to greet him, particularly Pip who happily posed for photos.
Abandonment is one of the main reasons dogs come in to our centre, particularly at this time of year. Although our iconic slogan is known throughout Scotland, we still see dogs and puppies all too frequently purchased as inappropriate Christmas gifts. It is clear that our message is as poignant now as it was in 1978, which is why Struan’s visit to our centre will help to highlight this important issue and be a positive step towards tackling the problem”.
Struan Stevenson MEP commented:
“Visiting Dogs Trust Glasgow has been a fantastic opportunity for me to witness first-hand the work the staff at the centre do and meet some of the dogs being cared for. It is important that we highlight dog welfare issues in Scotland, where the problem of stray and abandoned dogs is all too prominent, particularly during the festive season. I also had the opportunity to discuss the benefits of introducing compulsory microchipping in Scotland and believe it to be a valuable tool in reducing the numbers of dogs being picked up by Local Authorities, providing for speedier reunification between a lost or straying dog and its owner”.
Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and cares for over 16,000 abandoned and unwanted dogs a year through its nationwide network of 18 rehoming centres. For more information about Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.
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Notes to Editors
For more information, please contact:
Margaret Donnellan Public Affairs Officer
020 7812 5266 margaret.donnellan@dogstrust.org.uk
Sarah Graham Press Officer
0207 833 7709 sarah,graham@dogstrust.org.uk
