A dedicated Glasgow dog walker has helped to collect pet food donations to be taken to displaced owners in Ukraine.
Pauline Taylor-McIlwraith has worked with dogs for six years and runs Now Boarding, a dog walking and home boarding business.
Like many of us watching the news recently, Pauline was devastated to see people fleeing Ukraine and scrambling together whatever they could carry.
She decided she wanted to help and used her passion for pets and her contacts to do so.
She said: “I’m not for a minute belittling the huge humanitarian crisis this has brought to the people of Ukraine, but when people were fleeing their homes from the bombings, they literally grabbed loved ones and pets.
“There was simply not enough hands or space to take food for the animals too.”
Pauline added: “The Glasgow Vet School are organising the collection of dry and wet food for cats and dogs to be forwarded on to an international transport company that’s helping with the relief efforts.
“I knew straight away I wanted to help and was sure my clients would get on board. I reached out via social media and personally to my clients and they didn’t disappoint.”
Pauline found out about the appeal through a staff member, her sister-in-law Jenny Shearer.
Jenny said: “The hospital had contacts with a canine transport service, Daisybrook International Pet Transport, who was able to help take pet food over to Germany where it would be moved to Ukraine.
“We arranged for it to happen as soon as we could so we arranged for this Friday, March 18.
"It has been amazing how generous everyone throughout Glasgow has been and we have received a lot more than we thought we would.”
Pauline is also delighted with the effort from the community and hopes that their donations can bring some comfort to struggling people and families.
She added: “I know what it’s like to worry over your pet, as my own dog is going through chemotherapy at the Vet School and is being very well cared for.
“I just hope this can help in some small way and perhaps give some of these people a little relief knowing their pets are okay and that people across the world are thinking of them.”
Donations can be made to the Glasgow University Veterinary School, 464 Bearsden Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1QH until 12 noon on Friday, March 18.
For more information on Daisybrook International Pet Transport, visit their Facebook page.
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