Exclusive: homeless paws in your hands

Ralph & Co agree to donate premium canine beds to a local dog shelter starting this week.

Ralph & Co aim to create the world’s best dog bed and give back to dogs in need.

You could give a homeless dog the perfect Christmas present this year. For every dog bed you purchase online, Ralph & Co will give one to Friends of the Dogs (Wales), which supports homeless, stray and abandoned dogs in Newport and Cardiff.

According to the Stray Dog Survey 2016, there are 81,050 stray dogs in the UK and 6,415 of those are in Wales. Friends of the Dogs (Wales), established in 2011, currently nurture 38 canines at the shelter. The charity fundraises to provide facilities that make a dog’s journey less stressful whilst promoting them for re-homing.

Bibi sleeping on his new gift from Ralph & Co

Living in a shelter can be a distressing time for the poor pups and many charities look to alleviate some of this stress. Geryn Evans, Managing Director at Ralph & Co, designs premium pet products aimed at the style conscious pet owner including, dog beds, leads, blankets, kennels and feeders. He says, “Many charities do a fantastic job helping to re-home and improve the lives of the dogs but their resources are stretched.” He adds that as well as donating beds, he will also set up special promotions to raise money for the charity and the funds can be used to pay for veterinary care, new equipment, food and treats.

Handmade by master craftsmen in the UK, the beds have a memory foam mattress to relieve pressure and have “great” orthopaedic benefits for your dogs, says Geryn. He adds that he wanted to take the latest technology you can find in human beds and apply it to dog beds.

“The bed is the only thing Bibi has that he can call his own, and he loves it already”

Susie James, chairperson at Friends of the Dogs (Wales), said: “Our dogs arrive at the shelter with nothing, no collar and often without a name. They have lost everything they have ever known and everyone they have ever loved.” She adds that she is “thrilled” that Ralph & Co are prepared to support the shelter.

Meet Bibi.

Bibi the Chihuahua arrived at the dog shelter very recently. His beloved, elderly owner had died and Bibi was alone in the house for some time before a family member discovered him whimpering besides his deceased owner.

Bibi is suffering from a skin complaint which means he is very sore and his tiny bones are very fragile, so the bed donated by Ralph & Co is “perfect” for him, says Susie. Bibi is an anxious dog but has made himself at home very quickly.

Ralph & Co

Ralph & Co launched a crowdfunding campaign on the 31st October which aimed to raise $10,000, but in less than three weeks, managed to raise $12,003. To support Ralph & Co to create dog beds for dogs in need, please click here.

Like their Facebook page to follow their story or visit their website.

Friends of the Dogs (Wales)

The charity supports all the lost, stray and abandoned dogs in two Welsh local authority pounds, Cardiff Dogs Home and Newport City Dogs Home. Up to 1000 dogs a year pass through their care, and they rely completely on donations from members of the public. If you would like to help a dog in need, please visit the website for details of how you can donate.

To follow the stories of other dogs like Bibi, please follow the official Twitter page.

For more information please contact a member of the team on: 029 2071 1243