How we can help dogs on InterNational Dog Day

This International Dog Day we’ve crafted a poem that looks at the two realities of dogs in the UK, reminding us that it's our duty to be their voice and drive change.

Oh to be a dog

Oh to be a dog,

Running wild and free,

Chasing butterflies in fields,

Barking at the sea.

Ears flapping in the wind,

Eyes bright with cheer,

A wagging tail that tells the world,

Of joy and lack of fear.

Oh to be a dog,

In a world that’s dark and cold,

Where love is but a distant dream,

And freedom is controlled.

Chained to hurt and misery,

Eyes pleading through the pain,

A silent cry for kindness,

In a life so full of strain.

Oh to be a human,

With the power to heal and mend,

To show compassion, give them love,

And be a loyal friend.

To break the chains of cruelty,

And help them rise above,

To give each dog a chance to feel,

The warmth of human love.

The heartbreaking reality is that cases of animal cruelty are on the rise in the UK. The following statistics have been shared by the RSPCA showing the number of dog cruelty reports made to the RSPCA by year.

2023: 52,662

2022: 48,567

2021: 44,479

2020: 42,613

“No animal deserves cruelty. They all deserve our loving care and protection. But keeping our animal rescuers on the road, bringing animals to safety and providing vital medical care, costs money. We simply can’t do it without the kindness of people like you.”

Donations from you could help answer more urgent calls of animal cruelty, cover the cost of nourishing food for abused animals or fund intensive care for animals recovering from cruelty.

Please visit https://www.rspca.org.uk/summercruelty to learn more and make a donation.