To mark the RSPCA’s Ruffs online dog show with a difference, the charity
is hoping people will start to look twice at these ‘wonky’ dogs in need of
a new home.

This Friday, February 20, marks the closing of entrants for RSPCA Ruffs
2015 - the charity’s alternative online dog show.

To challenge the traditional beauty pageant style dog shows, which judge
dogs primarily on looks, even when its these looks which can cause them to
suffer, ‘Ruffs’ celebrates them for the right reasons - their welfare and

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is in urgent need of temporary foster carers for its abandoned dogs.

Every year, some 6,000 dogs come through Battersea’s doors, and many of them find kennel life to be a bewildering and stressful experience. For those who struggle the most, like Sandy, a foster family gives them to chance to settle in a peaceful, loving home while permanent owners can be found for them.

I've just discovered a wonderful idea that artist Elizabeth Ellis has
come up with. She's called it The Year of 52 Rescues, and throughout
2015 she'll be painting a picture of one adoptable animal who is
currently in a shelter. The hope is that this will help the animal find
a home, and will also shine a light on the plight of animals waiting
for their forever home.

I've just got off the phone from Radio Scotland, discussing the latest research about dogs. This study, from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna's Messerli Research Institute showed that dogs can read our facial expressions.

The New Year was just hours old when six year old Wrinkles caught his first glimpse of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home - his new home at least for the next few weeks or months. Wrinkles was amongst 50 dogs and 48 cats that arrived at Battersea’s South London site between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier became the charity's very first unwanted dog of 2015, when he was brought to Battersea’s London rescue centre after his owner’s circumstances changed and they were no longer able to keep him.

Charity brings roving rehoming unit to Shropshire

On Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th January, Dogs Trust will be raising pounds for hounds at a doggie meet and greet at the Sainsburys Superstore at Telford Forge Retail Park.

The charity’s Dogmobile will be making an appearance at the venue from 9am to 4.30pm to give supporters and doting dog lovers a chance to find out more about the work of Dogs Trust and to meet some of the charity’s four legged friends.