UK-registered charity Underdog International has set up an initiative that redeploys its volunteers and resources to support dog-owners in need due to the impacts of the coronavirus.

The initiative, called ‘Underdog Unity’, facilitates a network of volunteers across the UK who can be matched with people who need help caring for their dog – whether that be walking their dog, shopping for food and supplies, taking dogs to the vets and even caring for the dogs for extended periods in their own homes.

Many of the volunteers already signed up are dog behaviourists or dog walkers by trade, and all others have experience with looking after their own dogs.

The charity is calling on additional volunteers from across the UK to help support dog owners in their local area who may not be able to leave their house due to their current circumstances.

Nadine Kayser, founder and CEO says: “With altruism at our core, we felt we should divert our resources and volunteers from our normal tasks, to the more immediate and essential support of our communities. So, we have paused our therapy dogs programmes and reduced our dog rescue and adoption projects. I am delighted that we have all the processes and communication channels needed to run the Underdog Unity essential service for dog-owners in need at this unprecedented time.”

If you have experience with dogs, whether that be professionally or personally, and would like to volunteer, you can register at www.theunderdog.org/become-a-unity-volunteer

If you are in need of help with your dog, you can call 020 8050 4292, email hello@theunderdog.org or register here www.theunderdog.org/sign-up-for-help

All Underdog Unity volunteers are vetted and have received guidance and training to ensure they understand the responsibility of their role in looking after someone else’s dog.

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