Behind the scenes; Aiste’s shadow day with the Animal Welfare team.

Recently, our new Legacy Officer, Aiste, spent a day with the Animal Welfare team. Here’s how it went. 

Aiste’s shadow day 

When I started my role as a Legacy Officer at the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home two months ago, I was given the opportunity to shadow my colleagues from the Animal Welfare Team at the kennels and the cattery for a day. It was a very different day from those I usually spend in the office. 

Morning with the dogs  

All geared up, I arrived on the day, and I was welcomed by the barking of all the doggies, who were very excited about their kennel family getting ready to see to them in the morning. 

Anna and Naomi, working in one of the kennels that day, explained to me the morning tasks that need carried out at quite a fast pace: from cleaning and feeding, to weighing and exercising the dogs.  

I was trying to keep up, but I couldn’t help but stop and say hello to each one of the dogs. There was Violet so alert and robust. She was cautious about a stranger entering her safe space, but happy to see Naomi, who gave me a treat to give to her. After that, Violet seemed to sense that there was nothing to worry about and soon she was my friend. 

Then it was time to take another dog, Lottie, for a run to the paddock. She was so sweet and gentle, and I found myself wondering if I could take her home.  

There were many more dogs for the Animal Welfare team to walk, feed, exercise, train, welcome and cuddle, and so much to know and remember!  Like, which dog needs to gain some weight and would be having an extra meal, who’s a bit reactive and needs more space, who’s taking which medication, or who’s going home soon. And I have a newfound empathy and understanding of how bittersweet this moment must be for those taking care of them.  

An afternoon with the cats 

When I entered the cattery to spend the rest of my day with Ailsa working there, I was transferred to a retreat-like atmosphere: it was quiet, so quiet!  

A few of the cats had gone to the vets for various procedures, and others including the tiny kittens were either eating or asleep – not a care in the world!  

By the end of the day the cats returned from the vets with some news, one of them was pregnant. I saw the surprise on the faces of the Animal Welfare Team as the word was passed around. More kittens, more homes to find.  

All in a day’s work… 

I returned home that day tired and flooded with emotions.  

I felt so proud to be part of this amazing organisation and work alongside the dedicated and loving team taking care of the dogs and cats day in, day out, and seeing them to their forever homes.  

Witnessing the hard work of the Animal Welfare Team and doing some of it myself helped me build my confidence as a new staff member of the organisation.  

It also allowed me to build even stronger connection to the cause and see even more value in what we do – it is indeed love without limits when it comes to dogs and cats at the Home.