The Cinnamon Trust, a national charity supporting elderly and terminally ill pet owners, has issued an urgent plea for volunteers in the Ebbw Vale (NP23) area of Blaenau Gwent. The appeal comes as a local resident requires dog walking support, but the charity currently lacks enough nearby volunteers to meet the need.
Preventing Heartbreaking Separations
For many vulnerable people, a pet is their ultimate companion and main link to the outside world. However, when health or mobility declines, everyday care like dog walking can become overwhelming, often forcing owners to make the devastating decision to rehome their animals. The Cinnamon Trust steps in to prevent these separations by providing a free, vital safety net through a network of dedicated volunteers who assist with daily chores.
Volunteer Roles Available
Volunteers can help in flexible ways tailored to their schedules:
- Dog Walking: Joining a local team to take a housebound owner's dog for fresh air and exercise.
- Short-term Fostering: Looking after pets in their own homes when an owner faces a temporary hospital stay or respite care.
- Practical Assistance: Helping with small but essential tasks, such as taking a pet to the vet, cleaning out a birdcage, or changing a cat's litter tray.
Additionally, the charity offers a unique guardianship scheme: owners can register their pets so that if they pass away or move into residential care, the Trust takes full responsibility, permanently housing the pet with a long-term foster volunteer while covering all veterinary fees.
How to Help
If you love animals and have even just an hour a week to spare, you could make a monumental difference. Becoming a volunteer keeps a dog happy and healthy while bringing immense comfort to an owner during a difficult time. According to the charity, "Many elderly or ill pet owners worry about their ability to provide proper care for their animals and start looking to rehome what may be their only companion. This is where our national network of dedicated volunteers step in to offer support, enabling them to stay together."
To sign up: download a volunteer registration form from the website at www.cinnamon.org.uk; email appeals@cinnamon.org.uk; or call 01736 758 701 during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
