Birmingham Dogs Home care for more than 2,000 dogs every year
Aston Villa’s first team squad met rescue puppies and older dogs from Birmingham Dogs Home during a visit to their Bodymoor Heath training ground.
Players including Ollie Watkins, Emi Martínez, Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings, Tammy Abraham and captain John McGinn spent time with four Cocker Spaniel mix puppies and older dogs Rory and Aspen after training.
The puppies, under 10 weeks old, arrived wearing Aston Villa bandanas printed with player numbers. They were hand-reared by staff after arriving underweight and severely unwell when their owner could no longer cope. The puppies have since been reserved for adoption.
Captain John McGinn said: “Spending time with the dogs from Birmingham Dogs Home was a brilliant surprise. The puppies obviously got a lot of attention, but it was just as good meeting the older dogs. It really brings home how important it is to support local causes like this and help shine a light on dogs who are still waiting for a home.”
Birmingham Dogs Home currently has 166 homeless dogs in its care and supports more than 2,000 dogs annually across the West Midlands. While puppies are typically rehomed quickly, older dogs often wait several months or even years.
Rachel Frost, of Birmingham Dogs Home, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Aston Villa for welcoming our dogs. Visits like this are so important for dogs like Rory and Aspen, who can wait much longer for a home.”
About Birmingham Dogs Home
Birmingham Dogs Home’s dedicated team cares for stray, abandoned and unwanted dogs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing safety, kindness and second chances to dogs from across the West Midlands.
- 70% of their dogs are abandoned.
- They receive no government funding.
- They care for more than 2,000 dogs every year.
Founded in 1892, the charity has been a trusted part of the local community for more than 130 years. Today it continues to rescue, care for and rehome dogs who have nowhere else to turn, while also supporting pet owners, providing veterinary care and helping to prevent abandonment.
