RESCUE puppies and older dogs from Birmingham Dogs Home paid a visit to Aston Villa’s training ground.
Players from the men’s first team arrived after training at Bodymoor Heath and were welcomed by the charity team into a dog-filled space.
There were four rescue puppies, all Cocker Spaniel mixes who were nearly ten weeks old wearing Aston Villa bandanas printed with player numbers, which quickly became a talking point among the squad.
The puppies had a tough start in life after being surrendered very young when their owner could no longer cope.
The charity says they arrived underweight and severely unwell and were hand-reared around the clock by Birmingham Dogs Home staff, which has a base in Catherine De Barnes.
Now thriving, the puppies confidently soaked up the attention and have already been reserved for adoption.
As players left the puppy room, they were met by older dogs Rory and Aspen, who enjoyed calm, unhurried time with the squad.
Rory and Aspen are older residents who are still awaiting their forever homes.
Players on the day included Ollie Watkins, Emi Martínez, Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings, Tammy Abraham and captain John McGinn.
John McGinn said: “After training, coming in and spending time with the dogs from Birmingham Dogs Home was a brilliant surprise and something we all really enjoyed.
“The puppies obviously got a lot of attention, but it was just as good meeting the older dogs. They were so calm and affectionate, and it really brings home how important it is to support local causes like this and help shine a light on dogs who are still waiting for a home.”
Birmingham Dogs Home currently has 166 homeless dogs in its care and supports more than 2,000 dogs each year across the West Midlands.
While the average dog waits around three months to be rehomed, older dogs often wait much longer, sometimes many months or even years.
Rachel Frost from Birmingham Dogs Home said: “We are incredibly grateful to Aston Villa for welcoming our dogs, and for the continued support the club has shown Birmingham Dogs Home.
“Puppies will always draw attention, but visits like this are so important for dogs like Rory and Aspen, who can wait much longer for a home.
“The care and kindness shown highlight just how special older dogs are and why they deserve a chance.”
The visit builds on a previous collaboration between Birmingham Dogs Home and Aston Villa Women, who welcomed rescue puppies to their training ground last year, and it is hoped the collaboration will inspire people to support Birmingham Dogs Home.
