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Many people might not stop and think about what happens to police dogs when they have reached the end of their careers and need to put up their paws and take a well-earned rest. But registered charity ‘Paws Off Duty’, established in 2015, is dedicated to supporting North Wales’ retired police dogs and caring for them as they get older. It helps to provide funding towards the dogs’ needs – from vaccinations to veterinary treatments, such as costly scans and medication – and it also helps funds end of life care when the dogs’ life of public service draws to a close.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin visited the founder of Paws Off Duty along with staff from the Dogs Unit at North Wales Police on 11th December to learn more about the charity and its important work in how it supports the retired police dogs. The PCC also got the opportunity to meet some of the dogs who have benefited from the charity’s support and gave them a donation as recognition of their work. The donation came from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner after it was brought to the PCC’s attention that the dogs do not receive any funding after retiring. The donation will make a meaningful difference to the charity and the retired dogs’ lives.
North Wales Police and Cheshire Constabulary work together as part of the Alliance Police Dog Unit, which support police in a diverse range of activities from combating Serious and Organised Crime to assisting in matters of public safety. When the police dogs retire from the force, usually between the ages of 7 and 10 years old, they will either remain with the handler and their family or be re-homed to suitable members of public without any financial support. Re-homing and caring for an elderly dog can be costly and that’s when Paws Off Duty steps in. Monies raised are through fundraising events, donations from the public, merchandise, and sales of calendars each year with pictures of both current and retired police dogs. These calendars are available to buy online and in store at the Farm and PetPlace retail premises, whom have been instrumental in supporting the charity throughout.
Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin commented: “It was a pleasure to visit Paws Off Duty and to see its valuable work. Police dogs are a vital part of North Wales Police and help make our region a safe place through helping fight crime and looking after residents. The dogs have dedicated their lives to serving the public, and they deserve a happy retirement, where they continued to be loved and cared for.
“It is important to me, as PCC for North Wales, that the police dogs get the recognition they deserve and that, when they retire and put their paws up, they can still live their best life. I thank Paws Off Duty and their team for their very important work!”
Jacqueline Edwards, OSS Alliance Police Dog Constable, commented: “The charity are extremely grateful for the kind donation received from the PCC and his team. It will hugely help with the continued, day to day costs of looking after our retired dogs after all, they have dedicated their lives to looking after the North Wales public and it’s only right we continue to look after them in their retirement.”
To find out more about Paws Off Duty visit their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075938978722
To purchase their calendar, follow the link here: Alliance Police Dog Calendar 2025 - Alliance Police Dog Calendar - Farm & Pet Place