And finally…charity to lock up Edinburgh’s CEOs

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is locking 20 business leaders in its kennels to raise vital funds for the city’s stray and abandoned dogs and cats.

Armed with only a laptop and a mobile phone, the business gurus will have a full working day to reach out to their contacts and social media networks to raise as much money as they can to win ‘treats’ and, ultimately, be released.

They will be championing and sharing the stories of a selection of dogs currently looking for forever homes, including Layla the shar-pei and Star our longest-serving resident.

Top dogs being locked up on Friday include entrepreneur and online BBC Dragon’s Den ‘Dragon’ Shaf Rasul, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home Trustee and Head of Real Estate at Gilson Gray, Murray Stewart, and Peter Proud from Cortex Worldwide. Blue Parrot Company, 2020 Productions, Malmaison, Queen Margaret University and Changeworks Recycling are among other businesses sending their leaders into the dog house.

Throughout the day, fundraising milestones will be rewarded with ‘treats’, such as a chair to sit on, a walk in the paddock and snacks. The participant who raises the most money by the end of the day will be crowned Top Dog.

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home’s Director of Fundraising and Communications Nicola Gunn, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing back ‘In the Dog House’ for its second year, and to have the support of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce for this entrepreneurial challenge.

“Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home’s kennels provide a safe, warm and loving space for hundreds of dogs that come through our doors each year. By inviting business leaders from across Edinburgh to spend a day in the kennels, we are hoping to not just to raise much-needed funds for their care, but also to highlight the many animals who are spending months, even years, calling these spaces home while they wait for their new owner to walk through our door.”

Last year’s event was an overwhelming success, raising nearly £10,000 to support Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home. Without any government or lottery funding, these funds go a long way to support our vital work to rescue, reunite and rehome the city’s lost and abandoned pets.

Richard Ellis, Head of Membership at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce added: “Having been locked ‘In the Dog House’ myself at last year’s event, I’ve seen first-hand how great this event is; not only in raising vital funds for the Home but in raising awareness of its work in a unique and light-hearted way.

“As a Chamber, we’re delighted to be supporting this year’s event. Connecting business with the third-sector is central to our role in helping to develop a successful city.”