Meet Dogs Trust: Abbie Smith

Having recently joined the Dogs Trust Digital Team, I will be spending my days communicating with all of our great supporters out there - so I thought I would take a moment to introduce myself to you all...

Name: Abbie Smith

Location: Dogs Trust HQ, London

Job: Digital Marketing Officer

You what...? Yes that’s right – I’m the new Digital Marketing Officer! And I’m thrilled. I’ve been working here 7 years in June so I’m no stranger to the brilliance of all things Dogs Trust. However moving to the Digital Team is totally new to me, and just a couple of days in – I love it! So far I’ve been getting to grips with the website content, doing my usual scribbled notes that make little sense… before neatly transferring into my notebook to be highlighted / colour coded - oh yeahhh,  I’m one of ‘those’ people!

I’m surrounded by digital gurus... Literally - Jacqui to my left and Lo to my right. Therefore I’m confident I will be learning lots along the way, and  I’ll most probably ramble in future blogs too –  there’s something to look forward to.

Best thing about my job: The people! Having been here a fair few years I’ve seen  people come and go, but the majority are ‘long timers’ and (hopefully)  aren’t going anywhere anytime soon – you can’t blame them. I was 17 when I started here, my first real job in the ‘big wide world’… so in all honesty – my colleagues could be rubbish…but I have no comparison - so to me they are great! This goes for my new team too; the best thing about working in the Digital Team so far has been instantly feeling comfortable enough to ask questions and being shown the ropes by Jacqui and Lo! Of course, having Twitter and Facebook open on my screen 24/7 will be an added bonus!

Pets: I have a gorgeous little 9 month old Kitten called Kenny. He is mischievous and a little crazy! He’s often casually hanging over my shoulder while I’m walking around the house – I always fail to tell visitors about this trait so they are a little alarmed when he springs up and does his best impression of a parrot.

Favourite websites: I’m a self-confessed Twitter addict, scrolling through the tweets of the rich and semi/not-at-all famous makes my journey to the office in Angel from my home in Essex much more entertaining!

What I'm reading now: I am half way through a book called Before I Go to Sleep written by S J Watson. It's a good read, It takes a bit of brain power to keep up – which is ironic since it’s all about a lady who has lost her mind!

Weekend plans: I will most probably go for drinks after work on Friday with the girls and for a meal of some kind on Saturday with my boyfriend and our friends. I always make time to see my Nan for a cup of tea too!

Meet Dogs Trust: Katie Purvis

I was a little taken aback when Katie sent me this profile to post for her as I noticed we're both getting married and changing our names in December! Turns out it's just a week apart, too. Here Katie tells us all about her work at Dogs Trust:

Name: Katie Purvis (soon to be Katie Chapel)

Location: Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre, Darlington

Job: Supporter Relations Officer

You what...? It’s a really varied job, but basically I’m the first point of contact for local media and PR as well as supporting our Fundraiser’s Committee and promoting our work.

Best thing about my job: I’ve worked for Dogs Trust for the last 5 years, first as a Canine Carer, then as Receptionist and now in this role. The best thing about my job is that I get paid to do something I really believe in. Another benefit is having lots of puppies to hug whenever you feel like it!

Pets: Nellie, a 3 year old English Bull Terrier. She’s a real superstar and doesn’t mind me bringing centre dogs home for sleepovers!

Favourite websites: I’m a bit of a Facebook geek as I’m a really nosey person and like to see what people I went to school with are up to! I’m about to start decorating my kitchen and have found a site that stocks pink utensils and accessories, so that’s a favourite! Check out www.pink-princess.co.uk - its fab if you’re a girly girl!

What I'm reading now: I read all the time and I’ve always got a couple of books on the go. One of my favourites is ‘Guide Dog for the Thick – The Misadventures of Morris’, by Terry Doe. It’s short stories of humorous situations involving the writer and his bull terrier dog. I can really identify with Terry as my life generally revolves around Nellie and the scrapes she gets into – she’s a menace!

Weekend plans: I’m getting married in December and I’m meeting with our photographer for a pre-wedding photo shoot, so I can make sure only my best side is photographed!

London Mayor Boris Johnson asks City Hall to 'clean and green' London with Dogs Trust

Happy news for Dogs Trust and many other organisations in the capital today. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is recommending that his City Hall staff spend at least one day a year volunteering to help 'clean and green' London; Dogs Trust is one of the suggested organisations that staff could get involved with. We commented that:

"Dogs Trust is extremely pleased by the Mayor of London's recommendation. The charity works hard in the community promoting responsible dog ownership and welcomes the support from senior London officials."

Other organisations mentioned included the National Trust, Trees for Cities, the Environmental Trust, Enfield Conservation Volunteers and Spitalfields City Farm among others.

Ways you can help Dogs Trust:

Volunteers can do a variety of jobs for their local Rehoming Centre. City Hall employees can head to their nearest, West London's Harefield, to help out with the following, but remember there are 17 Centres across the UK:

* Fundraising Volunteer
* Dog Walker
* Dog Socialiser
* Pre-Adoption Home Visitor

We also have regular campaigns throughout the year that you can get involved in publicising, such as National Microchipping Month and the ever-necessary Poop Scoop Week.

Meet Dogs Trust: Jacqui Darlow

Our supporters like to contact us to tell us about them and their dogs; we'd like to return the favour. Over the coming weeks we'll be introducing you to some of the team at the HQ and Centres around the country. First up: web guru Jacqui!

Name: Jacqui Darlow (not spelled 'Jackie'!)

Location: Dogs Trust HQ, London

Job: Digital Marketing Manager

You what...? Being a Digital Marketing Manager, my day job entails looking after Dogs Trust's many websites as well as thinking about what exciting things we can do next online. I've been at Dogs Trust for 10 years now; I started out in the PR department.

Best thing about my job: Getting to surf the net for a living! :)

Pets: At my house, none; my two cats live with my mum, though as soon as I can get a house with a garden they're coming back home to me.

Favourite websites: I can't live without BBC News for information, but have to read the List of the Day blog at least once a week as it's brilliant!

What I'm reading now: I've just finished Theresa Rebeck's Three Girls and Their Brother, an interesting insight into the real world of being a model, the pitfalls of immediate fame and what happens when it goes to your head...

Weekend plans: My partner and I are house sitting, so it's the usual weekend stuff in a different location - like a mini holiday, but I'll still find time to be checking in on those DoggySnappers!