Pet charity Blue Cross turns 125 years old this year, and much has changed since ‘Our Dumb Friends League’ – as it was then known – was founded in 1897.
At the time, one of the charity’s main focus were working horses in London, who “were often underfed, struggled to carry heavy loads and became injured on slippery asphalt roads created for new motor vehicles”.
Later on, they would help save pets from rubble during the Blitz. The decision to rescue and take care of pets was not a given at a time when to “spare them from the war” and save resources – all despite animal charities’ protests at the time.
Now Blue Cross runs rehoming, veterinary, animal behaviour and pet bereavement services – fighting more modern problems such as puppy farming and online impulse purchases.
Kerry Taylor, Education Manager at Blue Cross said, “We are very proud of our heritage and the work the charity does in 2022. We are needed today more than ever, with people seeking help after an impulse purchase of a pet online from unscrupulous sellers.
“This is something which sadly we know increased during the pandemic, with pet theft and scams online escalating and costs for puppies rocketing into the thousands.”
Taylor added, “We strongly advise anyone thinking of getting a pet to look at a rescue who has been fully assessed and checked by a vet before adoption. If buying a puppy, then we strongly recommend thorough research before hitting the ‘buy now’ button online.”
A Bue Cross statement reads, “Since its formation in 1897, the Blue Cross animal welfare charity estimates that a staggering 38 million lives have been positively impacted.
“The charity prides itself on supporting pets and their owners and plans to help more than 120,000 pets over the next three years through their rehoming, clinical, education and behavioural support services.”