Dogs Trust Salisbury's 12 Staffies of Christmas

These gorgeous Staffies whispered a few little secrets in their carers' ears, and now they're letting us know what they want in their stocking this year!




At this time of year, we remind people that a dog is for life, so please think carefully about the commitment; we would love to hear from loving homes for the long haul. And though the video is tongue in cheek and includes some tinsel and references to roast dinners, please be aware of safety in and around the house this year and make sure that dogs aren't allowed to chew anything that could present a hazard, or eat anything inappropriate.

Please see the links below for more information.

Christmas Safety Tips

Dog-friendly Christmas Menu (pdf)

Your dog can be a world record holder!

(Along with 627 other dogs, that is!)

Leslie Gold is the Supporter Relations Officer at our centre in Salisbury. The team often do fantastic events that are a little bit out of the ordinary and their latest twist for the upcoming Open Day is no different! Here, Leslie explains about how your dog could be a record breaker:

"On Sunday 7th August, Dogs Trust Salisbury is holding a Guinness World Record attempt, trying to break the record for the World’s Largest Simultaneous Dog Stay – and you and your dogs are invited to take part!

The ‘Super Stay’ as we’re calling it, will be part of Dogs Trust Salisbury’s Open Day & Fun Dog Show, held at our centre in Newton Tony, eight miles north of Salisbury in Wiltshire (near Stonehenge). People and dogs come from far and wide every year to attend the dog show, and this year the Guinness World Record attempt is sure to make it the best year ever!

Dogs do NOT need to be obedience champions to take part; in fact, most dogs will be able to do this. Dogs will go into the ring with their owner, and will need to sit or lie down for two minutes. Owners can bribe their dogs with treats, speak to them, use hand signals – the only thing owners can’t do is touch their dog or force them to stay – because of course the dogs have to want to stay.

Even if a dog does move from his stay, they won’t let the side down. They’ll simply be subtracted from the total number of dogs taking part – and hopefully we’ll have enough successful stays to hit the magic number: To break the world record we need at least 628 dogs to stay for two minutes.

So come along on Sunday 7th August and be part of a Guinness World Record attempt while also having a great time raising money for a good cause in the process. Special thanks go to Animal Friends Insurance, for kindly sponsoring this very fun and hopefully record-breaking event!

The Open Day runs from 11am to 4pm, in the field opposite the centre in Newton Tony, Salisbury, Wilts, SP4 0HW. Admission to the event is just £1.50 per adult, with kids and OAPs entering for free. The Super Stay will take place at 1pm, and it’s free to enter.

For more information, please ring Dogs Trust on 01980 629634 or visit the website.

Rules of the Super Stay:
• All entrants must register on the day, and will receive a numbered runner’s tag which must be visible throughout the Super Stay attempt. This is theirs to keep.
• Dogs must sit or lie down in an alert position for two minutes, from the official start time.
• Dogs may switch from sitting to lying or lying to sitting, but cannot move from their location.
• Owners can talk to their dogs, use hand signals, and give treats to their dogs, but cannot touch their dogs or in any way force them to stay.
• Any dog who breaks his stay during the two-minute attempt will be noted by a supervisor but must NOT leave the ring, as this will distract the other participating dogs."

To find out more information, please come and join our Facebook page.

Salisbury's Seb was SO ready for his closeup...

Supporter Relations Officer Leslie Gold Carley at Dogs Trust Salisbury (follow them on Twitter) recently discovered the power of a rehoming appeal by video. This is Seb's story in her words...

Just a few weeks ago we started using video here at Dogs Trust Salisbury to help publicise our dogs. The idea, of course, was to let people see them in a different light. We all know that people respond to still photos of dogs – after all, what’s cuter or more appealing? – but would harnessing the powers of video help some of our dogs find new homes?

The very first video we shot was of Seb, a young Collie who has struggled to find a home in part because of a medical condition. Seb is also very much a full-on Collie, with behaviours that are delightful to those familiar with the breed, but which the average first-time dog owner might not be prepared for. So we took video of Seb playing with his tennis ball and posted it, tweeted it, and Facebooked it. You can see the result below.

In the meantime, a very nice gentleman had come to the rehoming centre and spoken to the staff about Seb. He was interested, but wasn’t sure, so he went away to think about it. Then he went online and watched Seb’s video – and suddenly, he said, he saw Seb as a normal dog who happened to have a medical condition. He saw the dog he wanted to call his own. He came back to Dogs Trust and reserved Seb, and took him home this past weekend.

We always knew Seb was a star! We’re delighted we were able to use video to help Seb find his forever home, and we wish him and his new owner all the very best as they settle into their new life together.

Now…who should we film next?

VIDEO: Erin and Bailey remind you not to feed your dogs with chocolate this Easter

We've written a lot on our website and blog about why chocolate meant for humans is a big no-no for our canine pals, so do check out those links if you're not sure about it. But we think Erin from Dogs Trust Salisbury and her canine assistant Bailey - who'll be on his way to his new home soon - really get the point across in this short and sweet video:



Please share this around with anyone you think needs to know about it, and have a happy, safe and fun Easter.

Canine Carer: My life as a dog in kennels!

If any 19-year-old told you they'd be spending the weekend hanging out in their house with friends, you probably wouldn't find it unusual. Unless of course that 'house' is a Dogs Trust kennel and their mates have four legs each...

Big-hearted canine carer Tom spends his days providing dedicated care to the residents of Dogs Trust Salisbury's kennels, but from the 18th to the 20th of July he'll be living like one of his charges!

He's appealing for sponsors to dig deep and support him as he spends 48 hours living the kennel life. To make the experience as authentic as possible, he'll sleep in an extra-large dog bed and eat only chicken and rice, similar to dogs on a speical diet. Though there'll be a few dog toys to keep him occupied, he won't be allowed his mobile phone or iPod.

Tom explains:

"I've always loved dogs, so I was very excited to start working at Dogs Trust last November. Since then, I've gained a greater appreciation of what stray and abandoned dogs experience while they're waiting for a new home. I came up with this idea to draw people's attention to what they go through and also to raise funds for the dogs in our care."

To sponsor Tom, just drop by his JustGiving page: http://www.justgiving.com/tomcliftonmoore/. He's set a target of £1,000, so please do feel free to post the appeal on your blog, Facebook page, Twitter feed or anywhere else you'd like.

I for one love this unusual idea, and hope Tom smashes his target as well as encouraging people to rehome a dog.

Good luck, Tom!

Dogs of the Week: Woody & Bobby @ Dogs Trust Salisbury

Introducing... Woody and Bobby!

Breed: Whippets

Age: 11

Likes: We're a friendly, cuddly pair who sleep snuggled up and are happy to eat out of the same bowl. Despite our ages we've still got lots of energy - Bobby's still very fond of his walks whereas Woody would like to exercise but has to keep to shorter strolls due to a slipped disk. We like travelling, pottering about and getting plenty of affection.

Dislikes: Not a lot! We suppose we prefer a quieter life, but can still live with children provided they're not very young and energetic!

Needs: Anyone with space for two gentle pals with a love of cuddles.

Contact: Call Dogs Trust Salisbury on 01980 629634 or see more dogs needing homes.

Previous Dogs of the Week: Mutt-erly Love @ Evesham | Solomon @ Salisbury

Dog of the Week: Solomon @ Dogs Trust Salisbury

Introducing... Solomon!

Age: 7

Breed: Labrador Crossbreed

Likes: I'm a dapper fellow who has two great loves: food and my female doggy pals. I'm playful and affectionate, friendly with people and dogs (boys too, though I show favouritism to girls!), and came into care through no fault of my own.

Dislikes: None, really! I'm a well-behaved lad. I even get on with children provided they're sensible and not too young.

Needs: A family!

Contact: Call Dogs Trust Salisbury on 01980 629634 or see more dogs needing homes.

Previous Dogs of the Week: Mr. Shih Tzu @ Dogs Trust Harefield | Robbie @ Dogs Trust West Calder

Dog of the Week: Dougie @ Dogs Trust Salisbury

Introducing... Dougie!

Breed: Dalmatian Crossbreed

Age: 7

Likes: I'm a big fan of the common cuddle! Company is a big bonus for me, so I'd love a home with people who are at home much of the day. I'm very happy playing with other dogs and could share a house.
Dislikes: Nothing much! Sometimes people complain I'm over friendly but I can't see how you could be!

Needs: Although I love small kids they are a bit overwhelmed by my size and bouncy demeanour, so I should really live with adults / teenagers.
Contact: Call Dogs Trust Salisbury on 01980 629634 or see other dogs for rehoming online.

Dog(s) of the Week: George & Phoebe @ Dogs Trust Salisbury

Introducing... George & Phoebe!

Age: 8 (Phoebe) & 9 (George)

Breed: Terrier (Phoebe) & Labrador (George)

Likes: We're known as the 'dynamic duo' or 'Little & Large' because we go everywhere together. George likes playing in water, going for walks and finding hidden biscuits, and Phoebe loves a good cuppa, a play with a tennis ball and a squeaky toy.

Dislikes: None, really. We even get on with other dogs!

Needs: We want to be rehomed together! We have too strong an attachment to be separated. We'd both be happy to live with older children, and we're housetrained.

Contact: Call Dogs Trust Salisbury on 01980 629634 or visit the centre gallery online.

Previous Dogs of the Week: Fran @ Ilfracombe | Jess & Brinkley @ Shoreham