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Press Enquiries
For further information and interview, please contact Louise Russell, Charity Founder.
Email: hello@giveadogabone.net
Tel: (07969) 742858
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Louise Russell, Charity Founder
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About us
Give a Dog a Bone… and an animal a home’ is a unique and award-winning charity that helps the over 60’s to afford a rescue pet companion – tackling loneliness for older adults through animal companionship and friendship.
The charity was founded by Louise Russell in November 2013.
Since then the charity has helped thousands of older adults and their animal companions to have a happier and more engaged existence together.
Louise’s work has not gone unnoticed. In 2022, she was awarded both the Pride of Scotland Community Hero Award and The People’s Pet Awards Special Recognition Award for her work bringing rescue animals and the over 60s together and, in May 2023, the charity was one of three finalists for Animal Charity Team of the Year in The Petplan & ADCH Animal Charity Awards! In fact, we’ve won several awards.
Now in our 10th year, we have big plans around the charity, it’s growth and how we can reach more people, and rescue animals, who need our help!!
The story so far…
Statistics published by Age UK highlight a concern that older people can regularly go up to one month without speaking to anyone and many older people report often experience feeling lonely.
As so many older adults live alone, a pet can be an important source of company and affection. They also provide routine, encourage exercise and can give someone a sense of purpose.
Did You Know?
3.8 million people aged 65+ live alone in the UK.
(Almost one third of all people aged 65+)
Source: age UK, Apr 2021
49,292 dogs were handled by UK Council Shelters in one year.
(1st April 2019 – 31st March 2020)
1165 were put to sleep by UK Local Authorities during this time.
Source: Stray Dog Survey for Dogs Trust 2020.
So, how do we help?
If finances are a barrier to a person aged 60, or older, adopting a pet companion, we can:
- Contribute towards the re-homing fee of a rescue companion animal.
- Continue to support on a monthly basis, by contributing towards associated pet insurance and/or food costs.
We also support those in the same age group who already have a pet companion but are now struggling to afford them, by providing them with similar financial assistance.
We are constantly helping to support shelters by linking them up with prospective new owners and homes for their animals.
Additionally, we have three community spaces across Scotland where we tackle loneliness and isolation for older adults by providing a safe space for retired people to make new friends, learn new skills and mix with dogs.
Testimonials
“The joy Beni brings to my life every day is priceless! He is such good company.
I would not be able to have another animal at this stage of my life without financial support from GADAB.I am more that grateful to the charity and can’t believe how lucky I am. Having an ever loving wee being around is such fun!”
Lynda, helped by Give A Dog A Bone.
“Each time we commit to supporting an animal with the cost of pet food each month, we commit to thousands of pounds per animal over their life time.”
Louise Russell, Charity Founder.
Recent Press
Dunfermline Press
Alexandra Baff, April 2026
Give a Dog a Bone reflects on first year in Dunfermline
An animal charity has thanked its supporters as it prepares to mark its first anniversary in Dunfermline.
It opened its latest community space in Dunfermline’s High Street on April 29 last year.
Louise Russell, who started the charity in Glasgow nearly 13 years ago, commented:
“We’ve really been really enthused by the reception that we’ve got in Dunfermline. Even from the moment that we opened the doors, there was people waving in and they had obviously read about us on social media. People were coming in and offering fundraisers for us from the off, local businesses, etc. So, we’ve had a fantastic reception in Dunfermline. Everybody seems to buy into the idea and get what we’re doing and really wants to support us and is pleased to see us there.”
“We’re a facilitator. We’re increasing people’s wellbeing, one, with the dog, and two, with companionship with other human beings, like-minded people who are coming in for a cup of tea. More often than not, people come in on their own. They’re not coming in in twos and threes and fours. It’s people who can come in and they know that somebody will talk to them,” Louise said.
The Dunfermline community space is open five days a week from Tuesday to Saturday and everyone is welcome to pop in for a cuppa and a chat.
The Courier
Ben MacDonald, April 2025
A “unique” dog charity that aims to tackle loneliness in older adults will open a site in Dunfermline next week.
Give a Dog a Bone, which offers animal companionship, will open in the former Pagan Inspired unit on High Street on Tuesday.
The Glasgow-based charity already has hubs in Alloa and Troon.
Louise Russell, chief executive, told The Courier there are a number of reasons for opening in Dunfermline.
She said: “First of all, the original three community spaces are central and in the west.
“It was our priority, as a charity, to move to the east. We’ve been wanting to do that for a few years.
“We identified Dunfermline as a place that has an older adult population and, with it being the city centre, it has a high footfall.
“We’re not a household name and we need people to be walking by to see the dogs and see what we’re doing.
“It has to be a fairly densely populated area for it to work.”
Dunfermline Press
Chloe Goodall, January 2025
A CUP of tea, a biscuit and the opportunity to cuddle up with a cute dog are all going to be on offer at Dunfermline High Street’s latest community space.
Give a Dog a Bone…and an Animal a Home is opening their latest community space in West Fife, offering older adults the chance to get back out there and make new connections using the power of animal companionship.
Having just picked up the keys, the charity has a long way to go before it can open up what it hopes to be a “warm, safe space where people feel seen and valued.”
Louise Russell, who started up the charity 12 years ago, told the Press: “These community spaces are community spaces in their truest form so they are available to anybody to come in for a free cup of tea, a biscuit, a blether and to stroke the dogs that are working that day.”
Elder – The Elder Interviews
“More than just a pet – Interview with Give a Dog a Bone Founder Louise Russell”
Zenya Smith, August 2023
Louise Russell said:
“It’s companionship, it’s a sense of purpose. It’s also a real motivator for people.”
“We recognise that if you’re already worried about money, taking on an animal can mean you’re one fall away from a very expensive vet bill. So we like to encourage people to access our support to help them ensure their pets are, and can stay well.”
Alloa Advertiser
April, 2023
AN ALLOA-BASED charity has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Petplan and Association for Dogs and Cats Home Animal Charity Awards.
Give a Dog a Bone, based on Mar Street, have made it through to the finals of the awards, which aim to recognise the work carried out by animal charities across the UK.
The charity, which also has locations in Troon and Glasgow, works to tackle loneliness in older adults alongside reducing animal homelessness.
Louise Russell, Give a Dog a Bone founder, said:
“It feels amazing to be shortlisted as a finalist for Animal Charity Team of the Year.
We have been nominated several times and we are so delighted to make the finals this year.
We’re a small team delivering a big service – tackling loneliness for older adults through animal companionship and friendship, and our team work really hard to make a difference every day.
This is a wonderful recognition for us all!”
The Animal Charity Awards are an annual celebration of the work carried out by charities across the country.
