20.10.2021

Cardiff Dogs Home has received three RSPCA PawPrints awards - Gold in the Stray Dogs category and Silver in the Kennelled Dogs category as well as a Special Recognition Award for The Rescue Hotel - the only winner of this award in Wales.

The awards have been made in recognition of the fact the standard of kennelling provided by the Dogs Home, and the way they look after stray dogs, exceeds basic and statutory service requirements. The service is supported by local charity, The Rescue Hotel, which raises funds to provide additional services such as qualified behaviourists for dogs awaiting rehoming.

To adapt to the challenges posed by Covid-19 the Dogs Home has made a number of changes which have further improved animal welfare. The changes include the introduction of a successful new fostering scheme, and a visitor appointment system which has enabled staff to spend more one-to-one time with the dogs.

Cabinet Member for Clean Streets, Recycling and Environment, Councillor Michael Michael, said: "This is a fantastic achievement for Cardiff Dogs Home and The Rescue Hotel Charity, huge congratulations and thank you to all teams involved in making this happen.

"The Dogs Home team genuinely love and care about the dogs they look after, and these awards are testament to their high standards.

"Cardiff Dogs Home have won at least one of these awards every year since 2008, which just demonstrates their consistent commitment to looking after every single dog in their care.

"For The Rescue Hotel to receive a special recognition award as well - after just opening in April - really is an incredible accomplishment and the teams should be very proud."

Billie-Jade Thomas, RSPCA Cymru public affairs adviser said: "RSPCA Cymru is delighted to once again recognise the fantastic efforts of Cardiff Dogs Home through its PawPrints scheme - winning a gold award for its stray dog provision, a silver for kenneling, and a special recognition accolade, too.

"Cardiff Council has long had one of the best stray dog services in the country, including provision of an out of hours service that meets the requirements of the local community and regular proactive work to encourage responsible pet ownership; while their approach to kennelled dog welfare consistently meets the RSPCA guide to good practice.

"We are also delighted to give special recognition to both Cardiff Dogs Home and their associated charity, The Rescue Hotel. They have done incredible work to recently open a purpose-built veterinary facility on site both for dogs in their care and the wider community; providing affordable neutering, dentals, vaccinations and flea/worm treatment."

To find out more and to support Cardiff Dogs Home, visit www.cardiffdogshome.co.uk.