Charity offering a bark with a heart
A charity is to tackle loneliness by bringing pensioners and animals together.
Give a Dog a Bone will be officially opening in Troon on Friday to offer companionship in the community.
Taking over the old TSB building on Ayr Street, the charity hopes to bring their services to those who need it most.
In supporting the over- 60s in the area, their aim is to offer social and canine companionship to those in and around the town.
Louise Russell, founder of Give a Dog a Bone, hopes her venture will bring a safe space and help prevent social isolation in the town.
She said: “We are a five- year- old charity and it is actually our fifth birthday on Friday which is why we are having our official opening then.
“What we’ve been doing for those five years is supporting the over- 60s to afford a rescue pet – say you have a neighbour who would love a pet but were worried about the cost involved – they can apply to Give a Dog a Bone for financial support as long as the person is over 60, money is a genuine barrier and the animal is a rescue.
“It doesn’t have to be a dog either, it can be a rescue cat, a rescue hen, or a rescue rabbit.
“It is about providing a safe space for retired people and tackling social isolation and loneliness through animal companionship.
“We have community activities like the dog walkers where anyone can come along, whether they have a dog or not - it is about the community.
“I encourage anyone to pop in and say hello.”