CALA Homes (West) has donated £1,000 to a Glasgow project.

Give a Dog a Bone supports local over 60s who are struggling to feed their pets by providing help with their monthly pet food and/or insurance costs. The group hopes to prevent the owners from handing their beloved pets into overcrowded shelters.

The group recently opened a community space in Shawlands, offering companionship to retired people during the working week – when their families will most likely be at work. There are free activities to the over 60s, including tea and a blether, group dog walks, mindfulness, Spanish for beginners and yoga. There is also a pet food bank for people who need a helping hand with their animal companion.

Louise Russell, founder of Give a Dog a Bone, said: “I set up the charity four years ago to try and tackle loneliness for individuals and homelessness for animals, by bringing the two together. Since then, we have extended our charitable services by launching a new project in Glasgow – Companionship in the Community.

“This is a small community space in Shawlands where we offer social and canine companionship to retired people in and around the area, giving them an opportunity to meet new friends and learn new skills.

“We are very grateful to CALA for this £1,000 bursary as this donation will go directly into our Companionship in the Community project – where everything we do is free, so as many people can benefit as possible.”

Julieanne Soto from CALA Homes (West) visited Give a Dog a Bone to meet with Louise and to find out how the money has been put to good use.

She said: “It was an absolute pleasure to meet Louise, the beneficiaries and their beloved dogs in the community space.

“The work that Louise has carried out in such a short space of time is incredible and I’m very proud CALA Homes (West) has been able to make a contribution towards providing these services.”

The CALA Homes (West) community bursary has supported 15 different charities and community groups across the West of Scotland throughout 2018 by funding vital equipment and services. Beneficiaries include Baby, Birth and Beyond, Kibble, East Kilbride Community Transport, Erskine Reid McEwan Activity Centre and Bothwell Road Action Group.