Can you spare a cuddly toy for a homeless dog? (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Can you spare a cuddly toy for a homeless dog?

4:30pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in News

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is appealing for soft toys and teddies to help comfort its puppies and keep older dogs amused in their kennels.

The charity is asking animal lovers to bring a soft toy to its Annual Reunion & Fun Day, which is taking place this Sunday in Battersea Park and is sponsored by Burns Pet Nutrition.

At the event visitors will be able to meet some of the current residents who will benefit from the soft toys.

Sieglinde Schuster, rehoming and welfare team leader, said: "Our dogs aren’t fussy about their soft toys, as long as they are cuddly.

"The puppies and dogs love to play with them, sleep on them, cuddle them and carry them around, so they are incredibly popular. If you are cleaning out your child’s bedroom or de-cluttering the garage and find some unwanted soft toys, please think of our dogs."

One dog who really benefited from having a soft toy was Sparkle the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. She arrived in March 2012 after she was locked in a suitcase and dumped in a London park.

She was incredibly emaciated and was given a soft toy cow, which was nearly as big as she was, to make her more comfortable in her kennel.

Ms Schuster said: "For a dog like Sparkle, who had clearly been the victim of wanton cruelty, a comfy toy to rest on can make life seem slightly brighter."

The event, from 11am-4.30pm, which is in the Boules area of Battersea Park, near the Sun Gate or Albert Gate.

For more information visit www.battersea.org.uk/AnnualReunion