Dogs Trust Shoreham – Remembering your faithful friend this Christmas

Christmas may be a time to remember family and friends – but Dogs Trust Shoreham is also asking local dog owners to remember their four-legged friends this festive time, with a Canine Care Card.

The Canine Care Card is a free service, which helps to ensure your dog’s future, in the event of you either passing away, receiving a life-changing diagnosis, or moving into a care home. This can often be a great concern to some people, who perhaps do not have a family member or friend in a position to look after their dog, should the worst happen. Therefore, by signing up to the service, Dogs Trust can offer peace of mind, reassuring you that your faithful friend will be well cared for by the charity.

It is easy to sign up to the service, which simply asks for some information on your dog, including their likes and dislikes, as well as your dog’s medical history and your vet details. It also asks for you to confirm who you would like as your Dog Guardian. This should be someone you trust, like a friend, family member, solicitor, neighbour, or vet, who can sign over ownership of your dog to Dogs Trust on your behalf, should you become seriously ill or pass away.

You can register online by going to www.dogstrust.org.uk and searching for ‘Canine Care Card’ – or if you do not have access to the internet, you can request a paper version of the application form. Once the form is submitted, Dogs Trust will then write to you, to confirm when your application has been processed.

Once signed up, should your card ever need to be activated, Dogs Trust will then arrange with your Dog Guardian for your dog to come into the rehoming centre or into foster care. With a team of vets, trainers and behaviourists on hand if needed, your dog will then be welcomed, loved, and well cared for by the charity, who will work tirelessly to find a loving new home for your much-loved canine companion.

If you would like further information about the Canine Care Card, or to request a paper application form, please contact Dogs Trust Shoreham’s Supporter Relations Officer, Jennifer Cruse, at jennifer.cruse@dogstrust.org.uk or phone 01273 466971.