It was National Dog Day on Friday, August 26 and when it comes to celebrating Perthshire pooches, kind-hearted Katie McCandless-Thomas from Perth is a person who is devoted to tracking down any animal unfortunate enough to get lost.
Not counting cats and other animals, Katie reckons she has helped well over 400 dogs find their owners after getting lost or separated and her Missing Pets Perth and Kinross Facebook page has saved many tears and lifted many hearts.
Katie - who had her wee dog Baxter as a special guest at her and Laurie’s wedding - was recently recognised for having done so much to help owners locate their pets when the worst happens and they go missing.
She and best friend and volunteer Christine Faulds Quinn got invited to the Queen’s Royal Garden Party at Holyrood Palace after the Lord Lieutenant of Perthshire put them forward to be in attendance.
“It was a wonderful experience and we both felt very lucky to be invited to such a special occasion,” Katie told the PA.
She had personal reasons for founding the popular page which has gathered 26,000 likes.
“I started up Missing Pets Perth and Kinross after our own family dog Charlie went missing,” Katie explained.
“It was a horrible experience to have a beloved family pet go missing and not to have a clue where they were and if they were alright, so that’s why I set up Missing Pets to try and help others who were going through similar.
“Over the years Missing Pets has grown an incredible amount with support from the local community who truly are a county of animal lovers and extremely supportive volunteers who go out their way to offer practical advice to owners, emotional support and give up hours or days of their time to ground search for an animal in need of help.
“Having a pet go missing is every owner’s worst nightmare and the most gut-wrenching feeling imaginable. So everyone at Missing Pets just wants to do what we can to help reunite an animal with their family and offer as much support as possible along the way.”
The PA looks back on a few of the successful rescues.
Dexter the Dachie was aged just six months when he went missing at the Blair Castle Horse Trials exactly a year ago and was out on his own for three nights.
Marvin the rescue dog had the team searching for three nights (Katie had an ear infection and nonetheless took a thermal camera out in the rain, set up a cage and feeding station) at Broxden Services in Perth when he escaped out of a vehicle on his way to being handed over to new owners.
Marvin’s new family were so moved by Katie’s dedication they described her as “one of life’s absolute stars” and raised money to help her with ongoing efforts.
Also last September, Scott’s dog Belle vanished up Craigie Hill and needed gentle coaxing to make her come out of hiding.
Another owner, Ryan, was so impressed when Ruby the cocker spaniel was found safe in Dunkeld, he went on to become a volunteer with Katie’s group. The searchers went out on foot, used night scopes and drones to locate Ruby who was spotted several times near the A923 before Ryan got her back.
