With all eyes on the Club as it goes head-to-head with number one seeds, Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals, the Club have found a new way to use its digital reach to make a difference.

Bath Rugby are long-term and proud partners with Bath Cats and Dogs Home. Situated at Claverton Down, they operate one of the largest animal rescue centres in the South West and annually take in around 1,200 animals from Bath and North East Somerset and beyond.

Bath Rugby’s new matchday campaign, which starts this weekend but will continue through the 2020/21 season and beyond will feature the heart-warming story of a rescue animal in need of a loving home. The image will be shared across Bath Rugby’s digital channels and on its digital match centre, which have a combined reach of over seven million impressions per month.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic impact on Bath Cats and Dogs Home’s important work. In March, the Home closed to the public which meant that adoptions stopped, important fundraising events were cancelled, and charity shops closed down.

This happened at the same time as the centre received an influx of new animals. The pandemic has sadly meant that many people have been left without jobs, meaning their finances no longer stretch to paying for pet insurance or costly vet bills, and with no regular income, many of these animals have ended-up being left at rescue centres.

The charity made sure that as many animals as possible made it to lovely new homes, but during lockdown their animal care and animal vet teams still had close to 100 animals to care for.

Shula Smith, Communications Director, Bath Rugby shared her thoughts on the new campaign: “We are privileged to be part of the Bath Rugby family, a community of Blue, Black and White supporters across the UK and beyond. We hope that by sharing this message at a time we are all coming together to support our team, that we can support other parts of our community too. It will be a heart-warming moment if we can share news that a rescue animal has found a new home because we have helped to share their story.”

Rachel Jones, Chief Executive at Bath Cats and Dogs Home’ commented:“One positive during these extraordinary times, is that the animals on site have really benefitted from it being quieter. They have been able to spend extra time with their carers and in our enrichment gardens – or just snoozing. Some of our long-stay dogs, who have struggled with their behaviour in the past, have shown a remarkable breakthrough, and we have been able to find them loving new homes.

“Excitingly now, with social distancing measures in place we have resumed adoptions by enabling people to come and meet with their potential new pets by appointment.

“One lovely lady who has been at the Home for a while and is looking for a forever home is Sue…”

About Sue – Bath Rugby’s first four-legged matchday mascot

Sue is a very beautiful young lurcher looking for an active home and patient owner. She is very elegant and has bright amber eyes.

Sue loves meeting new people but can get a bit over the top and likes to have a toy to carry which helps her to calm down and she’ll benefit from continued training in her new home. She is an affectionate girl, that loves a cuddle on the sofa just as much as she loves playing with her toys.

Sue is a clever lady, who already knows sit, down, give paw (with either paw) and stay. She would love to learn even more. Sue will make a fantastic addition to a calm, experienced home. She can live with teenagers and adults, no other pets.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SUE

Can you help Sue or another animal like her?

If you are interested in rehoming Sue or another dog from the Home, visit www.bathcatsanddogshome.org.uk

If you can help us by donating to look after more pets like Sue until we can find them loving homes, please visit www.bathcatsanddogshome.org.uk/donate_today

Bath Rugby launch four-legged matchday mascot to help local rescue animals find loving homes

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