Can you help a homeless dog feel safe again?
Every year, we care for nearly 2,000 homeless dogs across the West Midlands. For many, life in kennels can feel overwhelming. With your support, we can create outdoor spaces that help dogs build confidence, reduce stress and prepare for life in a loving new home.
A donation today could help create new enrichment paddocks where dogs can relax, explore and feel safe away from the busy kennel environment.
Every dog that arrives at Birmingham Dogs Home has their own story.
Like many rescue centres across the UK, we’ve seen a marked increase in behavioural problems over the last two years, and the reason is simple – kennel life can be stressful.
Being in kennels for long periods isn’t easy for dogs. The busy environment can leave them feeling stressed or overwhelmed, over time this can affect their behaviour. Without enough stimulation or time to unwind, some dogs can become frustrated or low in spirit, which makes finding their forever home take even longer.
That’s why we’re redeveloping underused outdoor space into purpose built enrichment paddocks where dogs can spend time away from the kennel environment and simply be dogs again.
Just like people, dogs need opportunities to switch off, enjoy their surroundings and simply be themselves.
Peggy’s Story
Peggy is an 18 month old, three legged Border Collie who came to Birmingham Dogs Home as a stray.
She is a gentle, intelligent dog, but life in kennels can feel overwhelming. The unfamiliar sounds, new faces and constant activity often leave Peggy feeling anxious and unsure. Sometimes she retreats to the back of her kennel, quietly watching the world from where she feels safest.
But when Peggy is outdoors, something changes.
Given space to sniff, explore and move at her own pace, her confidence begins to grow. Her tail starts wagging, her curiosity returns and she begins to enjoy the simple pleasures of being a dog again.
The new enrichment paddocks will help more dogs like Peggy feel calmer, happier and better prepared for life beyond our care.
Creating spaces where dogs can be dogs
Helping dogs feel calmer, more relaxed and ready for their new home.
Enrichment spaces give dogs the freedom to engage with the world around them in a positive and natural way. These experiences are vital for emotional wellbeing and can help reduce stress, build confidence and improve resilience.
The new paddocks have been carefully designed to provide a variety of sensory and enrichment experiences, helping dogs feel calmer, more relaxed and more prepared for adoption.
Explore the paddocks and discover how each feature helps our dogs heal, learn and grow.
Agility Equipment - Betty
Dogs like would Betty benefit from agility equipment such as ramps, weave poles and hurdles. These activities help burn off excess energy while strengthening the bond between them and their Canine Carers.
Sensory Sniffing- Dexter
Plants like lavender, rosemary and lemon balm provide both calming and stimulating sensory experiences for dogs like Dexter.
Digging - Roy
A sandpit encourages natural digging behaviour. Terriers like Roy love to dig as a way to relieve stress, investigate interesting scents, or simply make themselves comfortable.
Exploration Areas - Waterlily
Access to a safe, enclosed space allows dogs like Waterlily to explore freely and develop confidence independently.
Cooling Off - Rhayn
Paddling areas give young dogs like Rhayn the opportunity to cool down, play and enjoy different water- based enrichment experiences.
Sensory Walks- Star
Some dogs arrive at our centre with very little experience of the outside world. Dogs like Star can benefit from walks across a variety of textures, such as grass, resin, and sand, helping them build confidence.
“When dogs have opportunities to explore, play and relax away from the kennel environment, we see remarkable changes in their confidence and wellbeing. These paddocks will help us give more dogs the support they need while they wait for their forever homes.”
Jenni Jeffries
Behaviour & Training Coordinator
Why this matters now
More dogs are arriving in our care needing support to overcome fear, anxiety and uncertainty.
The enrichment paddocks will provide a safe and stimulating environment where dogs can relax, build confidence and develop the skills they need for life in a new home.
Every day we can bring this project forward means more dogs like Peggy have the opportunity to heal, thrive and find loving families sooner.
But we can’t do it without your support.
Will you help today?
£25
Could help create sensory planting and sniffing areas.
£50
Could help provide materials for varied surfaces under paws.
£100
Could support enrichment equipment that builds confidence through play and exploration.
Get all the latest BDH news
Sign up here to receive monthly “Waggy Tales” updates from Birmingham Dogs Home
