Valentine's Day Donation

Vivi and I had to go to a store to pick up some bedding and we passed by a stand for Dogs Trust, a UK rescue organization with a branch in Northern Ireland. Because we were on a mission, we smiled at the woman, but kept walking toward the store.

When we got a bite to eat, Vivi wanted a water so I asked if she wanted to buy it herself and she loved the idea of doing something grown up. I handed her money, pointed to the water, told her where to stand in line, then watched as she progressed (slowly) toward the register. She was very patient and would look over at me to wave, excited in her adultness. At long last, she got the water and returned to the table where she forgot all about being thirsty since she was so thrilled to talk about being grown up. I told her she should keep the change to use as she liked and that kid beamed with happiness.

You see where this is going, don't you?

In honor of Christine, she gave her money to this woman so they could help rescue dogs.

Dogs Trust 

Our history

 

Today Dogs Trust (formerly the NCDL) is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and cares for over 17,000 dogs each year through its network of 20 rehoming centres in the UK - and one in Dublin. We have been involved in every piece of legislation affecting dogs over the past 125 years, but where did it all begin?...

1891	Founded, to protect dogs from ‘torture and ill-usage of every kind’ 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. They formed the National Canine Defence League (NCDL).
1900's	The Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill, known as the Forfeit Bill was introduced by Dogs Trust in 1908.
1903	Saw an end to the use of dog-lockers in luggage vans on trains, to be replaced by kennels. Railway companies also agreed to provide water for dogs if they had a label attached to them reading ‘please give my dog water’, which Dogs Trust had printed and distributed to members.
1910	Right from its formation, Dogs Trust believed that no one who clearly cared for and looked after their dog should be prevented from keeping it, just because they were poor. The Dog Licence Club, founded in 1910, reflected this until the licence was abolished in 1987.
1912	Awards for bravery Always keen to recognise kindness to dogs above and beyond the call of duty, Dogs Trust awarded its silver medal from 1912 onwards to those people who rescued dogs from beatings, rivers, fires and other hardships. Dog heroes were also rewarded with inscribed silver coins!
1914	World War I 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.
1920	Dogs Trust was responsible for the almost total abolition of performing dogs from the music hall stage by the 1920’s. Also, the emergence of the motor car led to the minority of motorists boasting of how many dogs they had run over. Dogs Trust responded by producing three million leaflets and posters and achieved widespread press coverage.
1939	World War II 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. Dogs Trust also collected the combings from members’ dogs’ fur to be knitted into clothing for the troops. This was a very successful operation, which continued for many years!
1964	A non-destruction policy was adopted and today, dogs that cannot for some reason be rehomed, can be sponsored and become permanent residents.
1966	Opened a rehoming centre in Bridgend (Tondu Road) - which closed in 2002. Opened our centre in Evesham - which was rebuilt in 2014.
1970	Opened our centres in Ballymena - which was rebuilt in 2000, and Shrewsbury - rebuilt in 2011.
1974	Opened our centre in Newbury.
1975	Opened our centre in Ilfracombe - which was rebuilt in 2013.
1977	Opened a rehoming centre in Dumfries - which closed in 2003. Opened a rehoming centre in Petersfield - which closed in 1986.
1978	Our slogan "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas" is created.
1979	Opened our centre in Snetterton - which was rebuilt in 2000.
1980	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.
1981	Opened a rehoming centre in Leeds (Adel) - which closed in 2006.
1982	Opened a rehoming centre in Sheffield - which closed in 1986.
1983	Opened a rehoming centre in Sheffield - which closed in 1986.
1984	Opened our centre in Kenilworth - which was rebuilt in 2004.
1985	Opened a rehoming centre in Goring - which closed in 1988. Opened a rehoming centre in Whitby - which closed in 1987.
1987	Opened a rehoming centre in Farringdon (Hants) - which closed in 1996.
1988	Opened our centre in Shoreham - which was rebuilt in 2003.
1992	Opened our centre in Darlington.
1993	Opened our centre in West Calder.
1997	The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was finally amended in 1997. Dogs Trust acted as the secretariat for the DDA Reform Group, successfully campaigning for changes, including the removal of mandatory destruction of dogs found guilty under the Act.
1999	Opened our centre in Canterbury - which was rebuilt in 2000. Opened our centre in Merseyside.
2000	Opened our centre in Salisbury - which was rebuilt in 2006.
2002	Opened our centre in Bridgend.
2003	Working as part of the Animal Welfare Fireworks Coalition, we advised the Government on how to limit the distress caused to dogs by fireworks and their harmful effects without introducing a total ban. This successful campaign helped the Fireworks Act become law, controlling the noisiest fireworks and limiting availability to adults and at certain times of the year. We changed our name from NCDL to Dogs Trust.
2006	Opened our centres in Glasgow, Harefield, and Leeds (York Road).
2008	Dogs Trust Honours Awards founded. These annual awards ceremony celebrates the difference dogs make to our lives, by highlighting heart-warming stories of devotion and courage.
2009	Opened our centre in Dublin.
2012	Opened our centre in Loughborough.
2014	Opened our centre in Basildon.
2014	Opened our centre in Manchester.
Today!	Dogs Trust is now active in ten countries around the world and has moved from being just a rehoming charity, to one that also works within the community and alongside the Government to deal with a range of issues in society from dangerous dogs, so called “status dogs”, puppy farming and the online sale of puppies. Over £6 million a year is invested in important preventative work.  The charity continues to advise government ministers at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and has been heavily involved in all the major animal welfare legislation over the last 30 years. Most notably we have been crucially involved in legislation on the animal welfare act, breeding, dangerous dogs, greyhounds and currently microchipping.