Initiaitve comes into its own during lockdown

Dogs Trust has revealed thousands of new dog owners have been given dogs new homes during lockdown thanks to its adoption service.

New data from the charity’s national contact centre shows that in the period between 23 March and 22 June, 2020, its dedicated post adoption support team has made almost 8,500 outbound calls to 2,028 new adopters.

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and the contact centre handles calls for its 20 UK-based rehoming centres, which care for more than 15,000 rescue dogs every year.

The post adoption initiative, which launched in April 2018, is designed to support new owners in the crucial days and weeks after an adoption. With more people working from home during the pandemic, the service has never been so vital in helping dogs adjust to their new surroundings.

This year, these vital roles are being supported by funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Contact Centre Manager, Paul Roelake, said: “During these difficult times, we have had to adapt all aspects of our rehoming processes to continue to deliver the level of support we pride ourselves on to the dog loving public.

“We would like to thank the players of People’s Postcode Lottery for continuing to help us find forever homes for our dogs, where they can stay for life, not just for lockdown.”

Dogs Trust rehoming centres are still closed to walk-in members of the public, but the charity is now rehoming dogs through its new “handover at home” and appointments process.

If you have space in your heart to give a dog a new home, now and after lockdown, visit the Dogs Trust website to see who is up for adoption.