A LOCAL dog rescue centre achieved a huge milestone recently as they rehomed their 700th dog.

Islay Dog Rescue in Cumnock rehomed three-year old St Bernard bitch, Bella, to Catherine Edwards and Paul Brown from Kilmarnock.

Lorraine Jardine, who runs the dog rescue centre, said “Bella is a beautiful dog who has landed on all four paws with Catherine and Paul. She was handed in to the centre with another St Bernard who has also been rehomed.

“Although we rehome dogs nationally we are delighted that Bella was rehomed so close to home and we thank Catherine and Paul for choosing to adopt rather than buy a puppy.”

Lorraine set up the volunteer-run centre after her own dogs were tragically killed following a car accident. Lorraine found the process of trying to adopt dogs very difficult. During this time, she also discovered the dreadful situation for ‘pound dogs’ in the UK.

Lorraine said: “Several hundred, young and healthy dogs were being put to sleep each week and this wasn’t a situation I could morally accept without trying my best to do something about it. I thought there must be hundreds of great homes for dogs but people like myself were being put off by the process.

“I formed Islay Dog Rescue in August 2011 hoping that perhaps I’d be able to rehome two dogs each year. To reach this milestone of 700 did make my eyes leak.”

Islay Dog Rescue predominately take dogs into the rescue centre who have served their time in dog pounds and are scheduled to be put to sleep. These dogs have either been found straying or abandoned.

The centre rehomes all breeds of dogs from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, but these were the first two St Bernards they had given rescue spaces too.

Lorraine said: “We never turn away a dog based on breed alone – all lives matter.

“All dogs being rehomed are neutered, fully vaccinated, microchipped, flea’d, wormed and assessed. The assessment is vital to ensure that the dog is matched to the most appropriate home possible.”

Catherine, Bella’s new owner, said: “Bella is settling in well and her personality is beginning to develop. She is full of fun and wants to share her love all the time.”