I am pleased to welcome you to this third edition of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust newsletter, WOOF.

In these pages, we are seeking to tell you or remind you of who we are and what we do, and as a result to encourage you to become a supporter, or to extend and continue the support you may already be giving us.

We were honoured and proud when, last Autumn, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall accepted the role of Patron of the Trust. I am sure this will raise the profile and awareness of the Trust and of its objectives.

Our whole activity is geared to “making a difference for dogs”, and during 2007 we gave grants totalling almost £440,000 to help achieve this. This newsletter contains details of just some of our grants, and of the beneficial impact they have had for dogs in all kinds of circumstances.

It is a sad fact that some dogs are neglected or mistreated, sometimes abandoned, and we can provide help to those people who work to restore those dogs to health and who find them a happy home.

Pedigree has chosen the Trust as the distributor of monies received from their “Pedigree Adoption Drive”, which they hope will raise close to £500,000 in Spring 2008. These proceeds are to be applied to these welfare and rescue elements of the Trust’s activities.

Dogs provide many benefits to human beings, and can be trained to help people who are disabled in some way. Another application of our funds is to help fund dogs undergoing training to support people who may be deaf, or confined to a wheelchair, or perhaps suffering from epilepsy.

Finally, we help fund research into diseases which affect dogs, so that future generations of dogs may be free of such problems. This is an expensive area but a very exciting one, where we have had some successes and hope to have more in the future.

We can only provide this varied support with the help of people like you. The Kennel Club, Agria (formally PetPartners plc), Pedigree and other organisations are generous donors, but we do need the help of individuals, Clubs and Societies. Included in this issue are examples of the many ways in which you can help us to help dogs, such as regular donations by direct debit and/or leaving a Legacy in your Will.

You are probably reading this because you love dogs. We know how dogs return our love for them, and we owe them so much. Please help us to help them, if you can. Thank you for any help you can give, and with best wishes to you, and to your dog(s).

Mike Townsend

Chairman of Trustees

DNA Testing for Inherited Diseases in the Dog (inset image of Toy Poodle & Staffordshire Bull Terrier)

An understanding of the genetic causes of many of the inherited diseases that afflict the dog is progressing at a rapid rate, fuelled greatly by the release of the canine genome sequence a couple of years ago. This is particularly true for the diseases that result from single gene mutations, which represent about 60-70% of all known inherited canine disease. Determining the precise mutations that cause these diseases is the first step in establishing a DNA test for the presence or absence of the mutant allele in an individual dog and the Kennel Club Charitable Trust has funded much of the research to this end in the UK. In most cases the development of such a DNA test quickly follows the identification of the causative mutation.

These DNA tests for single gene disorders offer brand new tools for breeders in those breeds concerned and greatly help them to put together breeding programmes that will select against mutant alleles and limit their passage into future generations. The essence is to DNA test all potential breeding stock to determining what we call the dog’s genotype, its genetic make-up with respect to the disease for which the test is specific.

Armed with a dog’s genotype, a breeder can select a mate with a compatible genotype. For example, if one of a mating pair is DNA tested normal, i.e. has two normal alleles for the gene concerned, then none of the offspring will become clinically affected, regardless of the genotype of the other mate. Likewise, if a dog is a known carrier, then the breeder will know to avoid mating the dog to another untested dog, a DNA-tested carrier or a DNA-tested affected dog. However, the breeder will be able to confidently mate a DNA-tested carrier to a DNA-tested normal dog and then DNA test each puppy early in life to sort out which are carriers and which are normal; all will be clinically normal.

Experience shows us that such control schemes can be extremely effective and reduce the frequency of a mutant allele in a breed’s gene pool within a matter of a few years of selective breeding. An important aspect to such schemes is what we call an Open Register of DNA test results within a breed. The availability of a comprehensive Open Register of all tested dogs, and their results, is invaluable when a breeder is trying to identify a mate that is potentially compatible from a genetic perspective. Obviously, the selection of potential mates involves a great deal more than just the genotype of an individual dog, but the availability of the genotypes of all tested dogs, via Open Registers, forms an important part of the breeder’s considerations.

With this in mind, the Kennel Club has adopted a common approach to the use of DNA tests and the recommendations that it gives to breeders. This is embodied in what is called An Official DNA Testing Programme. Such programmes are usually established, with the collaboration of the Breed Clubs and Councils concerned, soon after the release of a new DNA test for a breed or breeds. An important aspect of these schemes is to work with the DNA testing facility to get agreement for the DNA test results of all dogs tested to be sent directly and independently to the Kennel Club.

For this to happen, the application form produced by the company will have a declaration in which the owner agrees that the results of a test on their dog will be forwarded to the Kennel Club. Once received, the results for all Official Testing Schemes are placed on the dog’s data in the

Registration Database. This triggers publication of the result in a number of different ways. The result will be published in the next available Breed Records Supplement (BRS). It will also appear on any new registration certificate issued for the tested dog and on the registration certificates of any of the tested dog’s future progeny. Finally, regularly updated lists of tested dogs, and their results, are maintained on the Health pages of the Kennel Club website www.thekennelclub.org.uk

These lists represent an easily accessible Open Register of all dogs that have been tested in the breed.

Jeff Sampson
Kennel Club Genetics Consultant

Below is a list of current Official DNA Testing Schemes, and the breeds affected:

The British Veterinary Nursing Association (use image of Heather and Dog)

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust continues to award bursaries to the British Veterinary Nursing Association to assist student veterinary nurses. One of the latest recipients, Mrs Heather Barlow RVN, MBVNA, Acc Dip CABC, has been keeping the Trustees updated with her studies as follows:-

October 2007: “This is just a short note to say thank you very much for my bursary. I started my studies for ‘The Blue Cross/SCAS Diploma (Pet Bereavement Support Service)’ (PBSS) in July and am now in my fourth month of training. So far my tutor, Dr Susan Dawson, tells me I have been doing well. I am really enjoying the course and learning a great deal.

I will continue to give both yourselves and the BVNA regular updates, as well as letting you know my final results. This is my second Diploma this year on the subject of Pet Bereavement, so as you can see I am very committed to the subject. Thank you once again.”

January 2008: “Just a quick email to let you know how my studies are progressing. I have now completed six units of the 12 unit course. My tutor, Dr Dawson, says I am still doing well. She has asked me to act as a receptionist for the PBSS telephone line from next month, prior to acting as a supporter from February or March. This is something I am really looking forward to as it is far ahead of my expected schedule. I had not expected to begin this work until I had completed the course in July. So far I have received the first four months work back, marked by Dr Dawson, and I am very pleased with the results.

The course continues to teach me a great deal and I continue to also learn a great deal about myself, both of which have helped me with my work as a Registered Veterinary Nurse for the PDSA. I have learnt what it truly means to empathise with an owner who has had to have a much loved companion euthanased. Even after almost 28 years in practice with the PDSA Clinic in Plymouth, I have come to realise that I am never too old to learn.

I am so very grateful that the Kennel Club Charitable Trust felt I was a worthy candidate for their bursary, and I promise to continue to do my very best to ensure that this remains the case. I will keep you updated as I receive more of my assignments back.”

Support 

Furthermore, in relation to its Object of Support, the Kennel Club Charitable Trust wishes to report that:

• Flossie, the Golden Retriever, who it is sponsoring for its training with Canine Partners, continues to flourish.
• Yorick and Yasmin, the last two Hearing Dogs it sponsored, have each been matched with partners, Yorick being in Kent and Yasmin in Nottingham and both partners are extremely happy with them.

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has also agreed to sponsor two further Hearing Dogs and we hope to be able to give details of these in the next edition of Woof.

Pets As Therapy 

£11,400 for the recruitment of 100 volunteers and the sponsorship of five support days.

In 2007, Pets As Therapy launched a ‘Sponsor a Volunteer’ campaign.

Pets As Therapy volunteers with their registered PAT dogs visit hospitals, hospices, residential homes, day care centres and special needs schools to bring comfort and companionship to patients and often assist in therapy with patients who are in ‘stroke rehabilitation’, suffer from clinical depression or with children who suffer from debilitating dog phobias. Pets As Therapy benefit over 100,000 patients every week and approximately 3,500 PAT dogs are currently working in the community.

The cost to Pets As Therapy to supply this service is £75 per volunteer, per year with the volunteers contributing £19 to the cost, leaving a shortfall of £56 per volunteer.

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust donated a grant of £5,600 to assist with the recruitment of 100 volunteers. These 100 new volunteers were all recruited within six months and are now providing the Pets As Therapy service in many establishments, including stroke rehabilitation where there has been a marked increase in the requests to help in this field. Pets As Therapy have compiled comprehensive guidelines for volunteers and PAT dogs working with stroke patients.

Additionally the Kennel Club Charitable Trust provided a further grant of £5,800 to sponsor five volunteer support days throughout the United Kingdom in 2008. These provide Pets As Therapy the opportunity to give the volunteers all updated information and training regarding policies and procedures, and to give continuing assessment of the PAT dogs regarding temperament, health and welfare issues. In 2007, Pets As Therapy organised six support days in the South of England for their volunteers and these proved to be extremely beneficial. The Kennel Club grant will enable support days to be organised in five other parts of the U.K. giving all Pets As Therapy volunteers this valuable opportunity.

For further information on Pets As Therapy go to www.petsastherapy.org or telephone 01844 345 445.

Welfare

The welfare of dogs is extremely important and the Kennel Club Charitable Trust has assisted by donating grants for specific areas and equipment, examples being:

• A grant for veterinary equipment for the X-Ray room at the London Clinic of Wood Green Animal Shelters
• A grant to Animal Care (Lancaster, Morecambe and District) towards the costs for an exercise paddock for its dogs
• Funding for a dog wash facility and veterinary health check area for Hyndburn Stray Dogs in Need
• Funding towards a Canine Recovery Ward at the Kirkdale (Liverpool) PDSA PetAid Hospital, which is currently under construction

Additionally, in order to assist various welfare organisations with their veterinary fees and ongoing expenses, grants have been provided to the following:

• The Greyhound Awareness League
• The Doris Banham Sanctuary
• Wigtownshire Animal Welfare Association
• Great Dane Care Charitable Trust

The Pedigree Adoption Drive™ 

In relation to its Object on Welfare, the Kennel Club Charitable Trust is also working in conjunction with Pedigree on ‘The Pedigree Adoption Drive’™.

For every single Pedigree® product sold from 1st January to 31st March 2008 a donation will be made to support the work of dog re-homing centres and to help abandoned dogs find loving homes. It is anticipated that up to £500,000 will be raised during these three months.

Due to its expertise and experience in allocating charitable funds, the Kennel Club Charitable Trust has been selected to distribute all the money raised through its welfare sector. As the Kennel Club fund all administrative and marketing costs of the Trust, it is guaranteed that all monies donated will go directly to assist homeless dogs. A representative from both Pedigree and the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes will assist the Trustees of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust in the distribution of funds.

A breakdown of all the grants allocated will feature on www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.com and www.mad4dogs.org.uk together with case studies.

All dog charities in the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands, large or small, are eligible to apply for a grant and a form and background notes can be downloaded from either of the above websites. It should then be posted to the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, 1-5 Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London W1J 8AB by no later than 31st March 2008.

Discover Dogs

Discover Dogs was held at Earls Court 2, London on 10th and 11th November 2007 and was again extremely busy over the two days. In addition to showcasing 190 breeds of pedigree dogs, the various activities and displays to be seen, the event provided an ideal opportunity to highlight the work of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.

Again, Scruffts, which supports the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, held its Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year competition. This was judged by Matt Baker, television presenter, and the Award went to Willow, owned by Ann Raymond of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

The photographs from the winners of each category in the Dog Photographer of the Year competition, which also supports the Trust, were on also display on the Gallery/Library stand. The overall winner being Jayne Pochin of Barkby, Leicestershire who won the ‘Dogs At Play’ category. To find out how to enter for 2008 go to www.dogimages.org.uk. Closing date 31st August 2008. 

Donations received in 2007 

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust would like to thank everyone who kindly donated money in 2007, however large or small. It all helps to ‘make a difference for dogs’ and, on behalf of all those that have benefited, a very big THANK YOU!

Particular thanks must go to the Kennel Club who donated £300,000, in addition to supporting the Trust by covering all administrative and marketing costs.

In addition, Agria Pet Insurance (formally PetPartners plc) raised an incredible £58,595.33 through donations made to the Kennel Club Healthcare Plan last year.

Agria Pet Insurance is the newest name in UK dog insurance bringing a depth of specialist experience, innovative and flexible products including the Kennel Club Healthcare Plan and other insurance services on behalf of the Kennel Club.

For more information on the Kennel Club Healthcare Plan, please visit:- www.kennelclub-petinsurance.co.uk

The Kennel Club Auction at Crufts

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust Auction has become one of the unique features at Crufts and is now in its eighth year raising funds for the Trust. In 2007, the auction raised almost £10,000 for the Trust

The auction offers an eclectic selection of items for collectors, and this year includes:-

• In the book section, a number of rare volumes including Shields American Book of the Dog, Chapin’s Dogs in Early New England and Jowett’s Complete Story of the Airedale.
• Amongst the pictures, a watercolour of a Pekingese in a secret garden, cartoons by the American humorist Zito and rarely seen prints by Maud Earl.
• In the section devoted to porcelain and sculpture, there is an interesting collection of Continental porcelain Dachshunds, a good selection of all sizes of Royal Doulton dogs and an early 20th century Austrian painted spelter Airedale.
• In the jewellery section, some exquisitely carved Essex crystals, miniatures by W B Ford mounted as stickpins and some Victorian dog collars.

The auction takes place at 12.00 noon on Sunday 9^th March on Stand 98, Hall 3A, and well in excess of 300 lots will be on view for inspection throughout the preceding three days of the show and on the morning of the auction. An illustrated catalogue of the items in the sale is available at the show for £1 and on the Crufts website www.crufts.org.uk.

YKC Outward Bound Charity Challenge

Once again Young Kennel Club Members, who have been on the Outward Bound Development Programme, have been entered into the Outward Bound Charity Challenge and, this year, we are delighted to have two teams participating. In addition to developing individually and as a team, the YKC team members will also be required to raise a minimum of £250 each for the Kennel Club Charitable Trust. This year the teams include James Thornton, Ben Hanney, Donna Lowe, Fay Moore, Rebecca Hodge and Richard Chubb.

The three-day Charity Challenge supports the objectives of the Outward Bound Challenge to help young people develop self-esteem, self-confidence and provide an overwhelming sense of achievement.

Teams take part in an exciting range of outdoor tasks including the Bush Craft Challenge, Canyoning, Mountain Biking, Canoeing on Wastwater, Bridge Construction, Jacobs Ladder and Orienteering – all requiring brains as well as brawn! Planning and managing how the team attempt the tasks counts just as much as speed, skill or strength. The heats all take place in the Lake District between 29th February and 16th March 2008, and culminate with the successful teams competing in the grand final on 18th-20th April 2008.

We wish them every success.

Additional Ways to help 'make a difference for dogs'

ClickNow
ClickNow, the Kennel Club Charitable Trust’s Search Engine, can be found by entering the Trust’s website www.mad4dogs.org.uk. You simply search the web as you normally would with the top search engines, and it doesn’t cost you or the Trust anything to use.

The only way it differs from the other search engines is that ClickNow will donate money monthly to the Kennel Club Charitable Trust based on the number of searches made.

Start using the Kennel Club Charitable Trust ClickNow search page today and help ‘make a difference for dogs’.

The Weather Lottery
The Weather Lottery provides the opportunity for players to win up to £10,000, four times a week, for just £1.00 per week - that’s only 25p per day! The Weather Lottery service providers donate money monthly to the Kennel Club Charitable Trust based on the number of players who have joined the Kennel Club Charitable Trust Weather Lottery.

It is easy to join and fun to play. Just pick six numbers between 0 and 9, and these chosen numbers will be compared against the daily Fahrenheit temperature of the six chosen locations, which are Corfu, Istanbul, Tenerife, Innsbruck, Edinburgh and Stockholm. The locations remain the same and in the same order. Once you have submitted your chosen numbers you can sit back and relax - there is no need to check your numbers as all prizes are guaranteed and sent out automatically if you win.

For further information, and to play, please visit www.mad4dogs.org.uk.

Recycling Mobile Phones
What do you do with your old or unwanted mobile phones?

Well now we have the answer!

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has launched a recycling campaign and is asking everyone to help raise funds for the Trust by recycling their old or unwanted phones. FREEPOST envelopes can either be obtained by calling 020 8274 4040 or by emailing kennelclub@greenersolutions.com or, alternatively, phones can be sent in a strong envelope to Greener Solutions, FREEPOST, LON17592, Mitcham CR4 3UZ with the envelope marked ‘Kennel Club’. £2.50 is donated to the Trust for every phone received, so please help.