CHRISTMAS APPEALS

Every year the Manchester & Cheshire Dogs' Home receive thousands of stray and abandoned dogs and run two Christmas campaigns to help feed and look after the dogs in our care. We would be very grateful for your help by donating to the 'Buy a Dog a Christmas Dinner Appeal' or by buying/selling 'Christmas Raffle Tickets' and be in with a chance of winning a Nintendo Wii.

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VOLUNTEER AND GET AS FIT AS A CHESHIRE DOG

Cheshire Dogs' Home is inviting all dog lovers to attend its volunteer dog walking event on Saturday 11th October 2008 from 2pm until 4pm at the Home's Grappenhall site.

The event is being held in order to raise awareness of the need for dog walking volunteers to provide the dogs with exercise that prevents them from illnesses such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis - all problems that occur when the dogs are sedentary.

Many dogs are prone to these fatal diseases that develop if they are not exercised and with Cheshire Dogs' Home having more than 250 dogs awaiting a home at any one time, the severe shortage of volunteers is an ongoing problem.  This alarming fact is made more disappointing as the Dogs' Home lies in 11.5 acres of Cheshire woodland that the dogs and volunteers could take full advantage of.

Anna Widdowson, manager of Cheshire Dogs' Home, said: “We're really looking forward to the volunteer dog walking event and hope to see lots of dog lovers out in force to support us. Volunteering to walk the dogs is a very rewarding thing to do as it gives the dogs the vital respite they need from the kennels whilst encouraging those who volunteer to get fit and active out in the fresh air.”

Tours of the Dogs' Home's beautiful grounds including the woodland walk and the kennels will be taking place throughout the day. There will also be Cadbury's hot chocolate and an exquisite cake stall to tempt dog walkers to get out and enjoy the crisp Autumn weather.

The Cheshire Dogs' Home rehomes dogs from Cheshire to Merseyside and the surrounding areas. The Home is also currently looking for volunteers for fundraising events. For more information about the event or volunteering please contact 0871 918 1212.

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On Sunday 14th September 2008 local Councillor Mr Patrick Karney opened the new extension building at our Manchester site on the day of the annual Open Day. As well as the opening of the kennel block Mr Karney also did the Presentation to the Winners of the Dog Walk, which was held in Debdale Park, Gorton earlier in the year.

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In 1999 Manchester Dogs' Home purchased a run-down boarding kennel establishment in Grappenhall. Warrington which, after a lot of rebuilding grew into what is now known as Cheshire Dogs Home.

Opening of New Specialist Wing at Cheshire Dogs' Home,

Dog lovers came in their hundreds to Cheshire Dogs' Home, Grappenhall, near Warrington , on 21 st October to celebrate the opening of its new state-of-the-art specialist wing.

International footballers Richard Dunne and Micah Richards, as well as Scandinavian TV vet Trude Mostue (star of Vets in Practice ), were on hand to help celebrate the new facilities, includes the UK's first purpose-built canine maternity unit, a puppy crèche, grooming and relaxation room and a canine special needs kennel unit incorporating a specially-designed kennels for rescued greyhounds.

Entertainment included circus acts, portrait artists, a steel band and a fun dog show where members of the public were invited to enter their own dogs.

Cheshire Dogs' Home boasts 11.5 acres with its own woodland for the dogs to exercise. The site is also able to house 100 dogs at any one time. The Manchester and Cheshire homes take in a combined total of over 7,000 dogs each year, of which an amazing 96% are re-homed.