Pet Feature: Paw Patrol

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Need help from a pet expert? The dedicated Education Team at Raystede tour Sussex, offering free support and guidance to the public – and they’re coming to a location near you Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare has been rescuing animals from cruelty and neglect for more than 70 years – but the charity remains clear that the best place for most pets is a loving home environment. Raystede works tirelessly not just to care for animals in need but to prevent pets ending up in rescue wherever possible. That’s why you’ll find its travelling Education Team popping up in multiple locations around East and West Sussex, ready to offer advice on everything from feeding and training to litter tray use. 

“By offering pet advice in the community, we're equipping owners with information to make the best decisions for their pets,” explained Steph, Raystede’s Community Education and Outreach Manager. “Whether it’s helping people recognise that it's time for a vet visit, supporting someone who's finding training challenging and needs resources to understand how positive training methods work, or simply offering reassurance that they're doing the right thing – the conversations we have help owners make informed decisions moving forward.”

Over the past year, Raystede’s travelling team have given advice to more than 2,700 people at 83 community pop-ups. As well as visiting towns and cities like Brighton, Bexhill, Eastbourne and Uckfield, they have attended local shows and hosted events in partnership with pet shops. One ‘itchy skin event’ at A. Coombs Pet Centre in Hove attracted 20 people, who all brought their pets along to benefit from the advice of a volunteer vet. 

“Some couldn't afford a vet; others wanted a second opinion where they felt they hadn't been heard,” explained Steph. “We had that opportunity to listen, support and build relationships with these people. These conversations often open up into even more signposting about things like training, natural behaviours in animals and reading

body language. It's incredibly fulfilling work, and I'm excited to see how our community presence continues to grow and make a difference.”

Alongside specialist advice from veterinary nurses and dog behaviourists, who sometimes join the travelling team, Raystede’s pop-up events offer free microchip checks, weight checks, poo bags and advice leaflets. Perhaps most importantly of all, they provide a friendly, knowledgeable ear – a place where people can share questions and concerns about their pets without judgment.

Conversations like these can sometimes make the difference between a pet given up for rescue and one that gets to stay in a supportive home environment. And that’s why community events are such an important element of Raystede’s new strategy, which prioritises preventing welfare crises and supporting pet owners, as well as offering care for animals in need. “Prevention and education are so closely connected,” said Steph. “We believe that the more information people have, the better decisions they can make.” To see where the Raystede team will be popping up next, visit their website.