Five animal lovers will be 'ruffing' it up this week by sleeping in the kennels, in a bid to raise money for dogs in need.
Bristol Animal Rescue Centre staff, Georgia, Kadie, Ted, Kaya and Kelly, will take to 'the dog house' all for their love of animals - and hope to fund at least £150 towards a canine sensory garden.
They will each spend the night inside the newly refurbished kennel block and have set up a JustGiving fundraiser for supporters to sponsor their efforts.
Animal care assistant, Georgia Hawkins, said: "We are passionate about caring for these dogs and want to make sure they have the best conditions possible.
"If it’s good enough for us to sleep in, it’ll be good for the dogs – so we’re going to do this for them, and also to help raise money for this dog sensory garden, which will have such a positive impact on their day-to-day lives."
Sign up to our TeamDogs newsletter for your weekly dose of dog news, pictures and stories.
The kennels have recently been done out, so the team are seeing it as a sort of test run before any dogs are put in there.
Fundraising & Communications Manager, Anna O’Dell, explained: "Many of the dogs who are taken into our care have come from difficult circumstances.
"They’re trying to adjust to a sudden and dramatic change in their circumstances. They might be in pain from a medical condition they’ve not yet been treated for.
"They’re in an unfamiliar environment with people they have never seen before. They arrive scared and stressed.
"While our team do all they can to help our animals feel comfortable and happy while they’re here, kennels are a stressful environment for them.
"Beyond their daily walks and enrichment activity, they need a space to relax, which is why we need to create this dog sensory garden."
Sensory reduces stress and anxiety and encourages dogs to feel more secure in their surroundings by using different smells, textures, sounds and tastes.
The project will cost Bristol Animal Rescue Centre around £13,000 to bring to life, and an online appeal has been launched to help raise the funds.
The kennel sleepover is just one of many fundraising efforts over the next few months.
Anna added: "Our team are passionate about caring for these animals, many of whom have been through a lot before they arrive here.
"By creating this garden, we hope to ease their anxieties and give more dogs a second chance at a happy life."
If you wish to sponsor the Bristol team's night in 'the dog house', you can visit their JustGiving fundraising page.
Do you have a dog story to sell? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
