Charity battles isolation in older folk by helping them rehome a dog
LOUISE RUSSELL had always dreamed of setting up her own charity.
The only hurdle was working out how to combine her two major concerns – animal welfare and loneliness among the older population.
She hit on the idea of rehoming animals in need... with people in need of companionship.
Give A Dog A Bone was set up in 2013 and now Louise is running the organisation full time with paid staff.
Earlier this year she set up a community hub in Shawlands and now has plans to open a second centre outside Glasgow.
“I was a serial volunteer for different charities but it was my dream to do something of my own,” she said.
“It’s now nearly five years since I set up my website in November 2013 to help rehome people.
“It was a simple solution to two problems that I care about,”she says.
“I have a house full of animals myself, all rescue animals, and I really enjoy spending time with elderly people so it is amazing to be able to work on my baby every day.”
The initial idea was simple: anyone over 60 who wanted to rehome a dog would be supported to do so, from practical to financial assistance.
Give A Dog A Bone covers costs such as pet insurance and food and, if the person rehomes from a shelter, it will pay rehoming fees.
There is a also a pet food dogs with older
‘‘ It was a simple solution to two problems I care about
bank in the Shawlands hub, on Pollokshaws Road.
Louise recently rehomed a dog with an 87-yer-old woman. “On chatting with her, I found out she used to be a pilot,” she said.
“If you don’t scratch the surface, then you’ll never find those jewels. I get to do that all day.
“This job is a dream come true.”
Classes are laid on each