In response to the tragedy in Ukraine, at the start of March, The Kennel Club Charitable Trust and The Kennel Club launched a fundraising campaign to support dogs and their owners affected by the conflict. Bolstered by two £25,000 donations, one from The Kennel Club and one from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, the campaign raised £120,000 by the end of Crufts on 13 March.
Since then, gifts have continued to flood in from dog lovers around the UK. From breed clubs and dog shows to dog grooming salons, schools, community groups and dog loving individuals wanting to help, there has been a huge upswell of support. Support has also been given by the Championship Dog Shows, Dog Show Committees and Societies who between them have donated over £15,000 to the appeal.
The campaign received a further boost last week with a gift of $100,000 (approximately £76,000), from philanthropists and long-term supporters of the Trust, Vernon and Shirley Hill. Mr Hill said: “As dog owners ourselves, to our beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Sir Duffield, we are heartbroken to see the terrible pictures of dogs and their owners escaping the terrors in Ukraine - picture that show that amid the worst times, the love and loyalty people feel for their pets, endures. We want to make a difference and try to support dogs and their owners at this difficult time, and we encourage others to join us.”
