THE DOGS Trust in Kenilworth has just revealed its Commonwealth Games-related secret.
The rehoming centre was used to accommodate and care for some of the police search dogs deployed at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games over the summer.
Nearly 70 dogs checked into the kennels in Kenilworth for the duration of the event following two years of meticulous planning between West Midlands Police and the dog welfare charity.
The highly trained, specialist search dogs were from police forces across the UK.
And some were even originally from rehoming centres like the one in Kenilworth who are always quick to spot the potential of any dog which may benefit from a working environment.
Former Dogs Trust dogs Jake and Jack are now both in police service – Jake with Sussex Police and Jack with Thames Valley Police.
During the Commonwealth Games, police dog Roxy, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, celebrated her birthday when she was in Kenilworth, so staff made sure she was spoiled on her special day. They also ensured all the dogs were treated to home-made frozen lollies during the heatwave weather.
Kenilworth Rehoming Centre Manager, Emma-Jane Thomas, said: “We are proud to have played a part in the very successful Commonwealth Games by caring for the police dogs. It was two years in the planning so when the dogs finally arrived it was an exciting experience for us as a team and we were delighted to find that some of the police dogs were former Dogs Trust dogs.
“Working side-by-side with the police handlers was really enjoyable and of course the dogs were so well behaved, so it was a pleasure to spend time with them.”
Commonwealth Games Planning Officer, PC Catherine White of West Midlands Police said: “It was a pleasure working alongside Emma-Jane and the team from Dogs Trust during the Commonwealth Games. The support from the team was incredible and really set a high standard in mutual aid kennelling.”
