Supporting our dogs’ wellbeing, one peaceful moment at a time.
From Thursday 1st May, Birmingham Dogs Home will be introducing a dedicated Quiet Hour every day between 1pm and 2pm at both our Birmingham and Wolverhampton centres. During this time, kennel viewings will be paused, and our dogs will be given a chance to fully rest and recharge.
This decision comes from our growing understanding, supported by veterinary and behavioural research, that rest is just as important as food, exercise, and enrichment for a dog’s overall wellbeing.
Why do dogs need so much rest?
On average, dogs need 12 to 16 hours of sleep or rest every day, and even more for puppies, senior dogs, or those recovering from illness or stress. Unlike in a home environment, kennels are naturally noisier and more stimulating, with a constant flow of activity, new smells, and unfamiliar faces. While this environment is often necessary as a temporary space, it can be difficult for dogs to settle and fully relax.
Providing a guaranteed hour of calm and quiet during the day gives them the opportunity to physically rest and mentally reset, away from the stimulation of visitors and staff movement. It also helps reduce the build-up of stress hormones like cortisol, which can affect their behaviour and appetite.
What are the long-term benefits?
We believe that introducing this daily rest period will have multiple long-term benefits, including:
- Improved emotional regulation: Dogs that are well-rested are less likely to exhibit signs of anxiety, over-excitement, or reactivity.
- Better physical health: Just like humans, quality rest supports immune function and recovery.
- Enhanced adoption readiness: Calmer, more relaxed dogs are more likely to present well to potential adopters.
- Lower stress levels across the kennels: Creating a more peaceful environment benefits not just the dogs, but also our team and visitors.
A trial with purpose
This new initiative will begin as a trial period, allowing us to observe its impact over the coming weeks. We’ll be monitoring behaviour, stress signs, and overall welfare indicators to see how this change supports the dogs in our care — and we’ll share updates as we go.
Thank you for your support
We understand that this means a small change to our viewing hours, but we hope our visitors, supporters, and community will understand and support this decision. Our goal is always to provide the highest standard of care and to give every dog the best chance at a healthy, happy future.
Thank you for helping us put our dogs’ wellbeing first.
