How it all began…

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Summer 2012

Louise gets an idea!

While working in the corporate sector, Louise Russell (Charity Founder) started to become increasingly aware of the high numbers of older adults living with loneliness, and the rising number of animals in shelters. She wanted to do something to help, so she started thinking…

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November 2013

Awarded charitable status

Give a Dog a Bone…and an animal a home was born! The charity was set up to offer financial support to over 60s across the UK, to help them afford an animal companion.

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January 2018

Community Spaces are born

Aiming to tackle loneliness and isolation by helping older adults re-engage with their community, our Shawlands Community Space was born! Providing a safe space where anyone can come in for a cuppa and chat, as well as free activities and treatments for over 60s.

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November 2018

Troon Community Space opens with our first shop

With Shawlands proving to be hugely popular, the second Community Space was opened in Troon close to the beach. Offering the same experience and free services as Shawlands, with the added bonus of an in-space shop.

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March 2020

Say hello to Alloa

In early March, our biggest and newest Community Space opens in Alloa, Clackmannanshire and is off to a fantastic start! Providing all of the same services, free activities and shopping experience as Troon, the space is beautiful and we can’t wait for more people to get involved.

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March 2020

COVID and Lockdown

Forced to close our beloved Community Spaces, our over 60s community needed us more than ever! The team adapted quickly and our Sunshine Packs were born. During lockdown, we collated lovely treats, small gifts and letters of support from the local community and posted them out to our subscribers. The feedback we got was overwhelming, with so many individuals commenting the packs brightened their day and made them feel less alone. We also offered weekly Keep in Touch phone calls to ensure our community maintained connection with others.

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April 2021

Moving forward

Slowly and safely reopening as the government guidelines allowed, all three of our Community Spaces are now open and our Group Dog Walk in Shawlands has returned!

Safety is still our priority and it feels great to be able to reopen our services again. We have been overwhelmed with pride to see so many familiar faces return, as well as welcome new friends through our doors.

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December 2021

​Festive cheer

The charity releases its first ever Christmas advert!

Tugging on hearts, and reaching well over 1 million views – what an amazing opportunity to showcase our unique charitable mission! 

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February 2022

Expansion

A beautiful dancehall on the upper floor of our Alloa Community Space becomes available to rent. It’s the perfect opportunity to expand our offering and create a dedicated activity space for older adults!

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July & September 2022

Recognition

Founder and Chief Executive, Louise Russell, wins the Pride of Scotland, TSB Community Hero award, and the People’s Pet Awards, Special Recognition award for her continued work tackling loneliness for older adults and homelessness for animals.

Both awards and ceremonies are excellent platforms, helping raise awareness of the charity and introducing Give a Dog a Bone to new audiences.​

Support us

Support us to tackle loneliness for people over 60 and animal homelessness.

Give a Dog a Bone and an animal a home | Team

About us

Give a Dog a Bone…and an animal a home is a young, unique and award winning charity, supporting the over 60s to afford a rescue pet companion.

We aim to tackle loneliness for the individual and homelessness for the animal, by removing financial barriers to an over 60s person adopting a rescue animal.

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