New homes bid for unwanted pugs

A Scarcroft woman who helps to run a national pug rescue charity is appealing for people to foster and adopt unwanted dogs.

The Pug Dog Welfare Association (PDWA), which is run entirely by volunteers, has helped 645 pugs across the UK since it was formed in 1973.

Lisa Butland has been the charity’s rehoming coordinator for Yorkshire for more than two years. She said her family got their first pug, Bruce, four years ago and adopted a four-year-old pug called Albert from the PDWA in 2017.

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Lisa, who has rehomed more than 60 pugs, said: “It is very rewarding. After the dogs have settled in it is lovely to see how much love the dogs are giving the families and how much love they get as well.

Date: 30th January 2021.
Picture James Hardisty.
Dog Foster Mum, Sophia Taylor, of Shadwell, Leeds, (left), arranged  a social distance dog walk in her village, with Lisa Butland, (right) the Yorkshire Rehoming Coordinator for the Pug Dog Welfare Rescue Association. The society was formed in 1973 as a chairty and operates throughout the whole of the UK to support pug dog owners with welfare issues and to assist with rehoming. Pictured Sophia, with pug Susie, aged 3, and Husky cross Apollo, aged 6.Date: 30th January 2021.
Picture James Hardisty.
Dog Foster Mum, Sophia Taylor, of Shadwell, Leeds, (left), arranged  a social distance dog walk in her village, with Lisa Butland, (right) the Yorkshire Rehoming Coordinator for the Pug Dog Welfare Rescue Association. The society was formed in 1973 as a chairty and operates throughout the whole of the UK to support pug dog owners with welfare issues and to assist with rehoming. Pictured Sophia, with pug Susie, aged 3, and Husky cross Apollo, aged 6.
Date: 30th January 2021. Picture James Hardisty. Dog Foster Mum, Sophia Taylor, of Shadwell, Leeds, (left), arranged a social distance dog walk in her village, with Lisa Butland, (right) the Yorkshire Rehoming Coordinator for the Pug Dog Welfare Rescue Association. The society was formed in 1973 as a chairty and operates throughout the whole of the UK to support pug dog owners with welfare issues and to assist with rehoming. Pictured Sophia, with pug Susie, aged 3, and Husky cross Apollo, aged 6.

“Pugs are companion dogs. They love to be with people. They will follow you round the house and the minute you sit down they will sit down and cuddle up for the night. They love to be around people, they are very affectionate.”

Lisa said the charity is always on the lookout for people to foster and adopt pugs.

Volunteers are also needed to help with fundraising, transport and carrying out home checks.

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Lisa, who is chief executive of Age UK for Calderdale and Kirklees, said: “We are particularly looking out for people who will take a bonded pair of pugs.

“We never separate a pair of pugs that are bonded: we always rehome them together.”

Sophia Taylor, 32, of Shadwell, has been involved as a volunteer with the PDWA since she and husband Oliver adopted a pug called Betty two and a half years ago when she was six months old.

Sophia said she wanted a companion for Apollo, her six-year-old husky cross.

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Sophia, who works as a self-employed nutritionist, is currently fostering a pug called Jake.

She said: “I love it because I get more dogs and I love dogs.

“I get to work with the dogs until they are in a position to go to a full-time home and I know I have helped them to get there. The charity offers lots of support if you have any questions.”

For more information on the charity, go to www.pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/