Bournemouth: Santa Claus event to help struggling dog owners

A fundraiser where dogs meet Santa Claus is helping to prevent animals ending up in shelters this Christmas.

Dorset Dogs CIC said more people were giving up their pets because of the rising cost of living, meaning rescue centres were “overrun”.

The charity, which runs 12 pet food banks across the county, donates tins and kibble to struggling owners so dogs can stay in their homes.

Expecting a higher demand this winter, it has organised for hundreds of hounds to have their photos taken with Father Christmas in exchange for a donation.

Founder Nicky Crowe said most pooches loved posing with Santa – but some were “a bit freaked out” by his beard.

The first Santa Paws event at Ojo Rojo in Bournemouth on 24 November was a sell-out, with a second at Honky Tonk Collective in Hamworthy on Sunday also expected to be popular.

Ms Crowe said some people hung the photos in their homes or put them on Christmas cards.

“The dogs love it because it’s all about them,” she said.

“We don’t have dogs for very long and it’s amazing to be able to give families a moment that you can capture.”

Dorset Dogs’ first pet food bank, in Canford Heath, was set up about two years ago after Ms Crowe saw owners giving up their dogs because they were struggling to afford food.

“The rescue centres are overrun, the reason is that there’s been a huge spike in the cost of living and the pet food prices have gone up,” she said.

“I thought if we could prevent dogs going into rescues, if we could help ease the pressure at least on the food, then we can keep them in their homes.”

She said pet owners had told her they were using meat from human food bank packages to feed their dogs.

“The love they have for their animals, that really made me cry,” she said.

The charity now runs pet food banks in Blandford, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorchester, Poole, Portland, West Howe, West Moors and Weymouth.

After the success of the first Santa Paws event in 2023, the charity decided to make it an annual fundraiser.

“There’s more demand at our food banks over the winter because they need more food,” Ms Crowe added.