Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home is a registered animal charity which operates two dog shelters in North West England. The charity takes in and cares for stray and unwanted dogs, making the animals available for adoption once they are fit and healthy. The charity also promotes responsible dog ownership by the public.[1] Manchester Dogs’ Home has cared for and rehomed more than one million dogs since it opened.[2]
History
editThe charity was initially founded as Manchester & District Home for Lost Dogs in 1893 by a group of Manchester businessmen who were concerned about the amount of stray dogs which roamed the city.[1] The overcrowded environment of the city at the height of the Industrial Revolution led to the suffering of dogs, and inspired councillors A.H Megson and Herbert Phillips to open a home for lost dogs in Stretford.[3] The shelter moved to its current home in Harpurhey in 1897 when the lease on the Stretford site expired.
The Dogs Act 1906 saw regulations of the Watch Committee of the Manchester Corporation come into force, requiring every dog on the public highway or in a public place to wear a collar listing its owner’s name and address. The animals without were to be sent to the dogs’ home.[3]
The shelter initially housed accommodation for over 150 dogs and at peak times more than 100 animals could be brought in each week. Stray dogs were only kept for one week, and if no one claimed them, they would be painlessly destroyed. Those of a better breed would be kept for longer in the hope they would be rehomed.[3]
Cheshire Dogs’ Home
editIn 1999 the charity purchased a former rundown boarding kennels in and regenerated the site. The kennels became the flagship of the two shelters and a Centre of Excellence. The 11.5 acres site homes a specialist care unit which provides intense care for pregnant bitches, nursing mothers and dogs which do not adjust well to the traditional kennel set-up found at Manchester Dogs’ Home.[1]
Manchester Dogs’ Home fire
editOn 11 September 2014, an arson attack saw a blaze rip through the Harpurhey shelter. Firefighters were called to the scene at around 7pm when a fire broke out in the kennel section.[4] Around 150 dogs were rescued from the fire by firefighters and civilians who rushed to help. The fire killed 60 dogs.[5] The surviving animals were transferred to the sister shelter in Grappenhall, Cheshire.[6] Two teenage boys were arrested following the fire, but were later released without charge.[7]
People from across the UK and beyond showed their support following the attack by donating money, and over £1million was raised after just one day.[8] Many animal-lovers donated by taking part in a social media campaign entitled Dog Selfie, which was created after the tragedy and saw people taking photographs with their dogs and posting them on social channels.[9] X Factor judge and dog-lover Simon Cowell donated £25,000 to the shelter after hearing the news.[10]
A temporary adoption shelter was opened within weeks of the fire until the home was fully operational to the public from February 2016 following a period of refurbishment and improvements.[11][12]
References
edit- ^ a b c "About Us". Manchester and Cheshire Dogs’ Home. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ "Manchester Dogs' Home Fire Fund Tops £1m". Sky News. 13 September 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ a b c Nigel, Barlow (12 September 2014). "Manchester Dogs Home-born out of Cottonopolis". About Manchester. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ Johnston, Chris (11 September 2014). "Suspected arson at dogs' home leaves 43 animals dead". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ "Manchester Dogs' Home fire: Death toll hits 60 after devastating arson attack". Manchester Evening News. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ Prynne, Miranda (12 September 2014). "Donations for Manchester Dogs' Home fire top £500,000". The Telegraph. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ Kealing, Neal (4 December 2014). "Manchester Dogs' Home arson: Police urged not to let investigation 'lie on the shelf'". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ Troup Buchanan, Rose (12 September 2014). "Manchester Evening News helps raise £1m after fire destroyed dogs home". The Independent. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ Troup Buchanan, Rose (12 September 2014). "Manchester Dogs' Home: Social media campaign takes off as owners post dog selfies". The Independent. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ "Manchester Dogs' Home: Simon Cowell 'pledges £25,000'". BBC News. 14 September 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ "Manchester Dogs' Home to reopen in just a few weeks". Dial2Donate. Retrieved 20 August 2015.
- ^ Amanda, Killelea (22 February 2016). "Manchester Dogs' Home reopens 18 months after 60 animals were killed in arson attack". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 28 August 2019.