Humans invited to sample “dog’s life”

Imagine being rounded up and put in a van, taken to a centre, undergo flea treatment, have your “behaviour assessed, then locked in a kennel, albeit with a dog run. The big treat in your day will be a walk in the park on a lead.

That’s what’s in store for the “lucky” couple chosen to change places with their dog for a day – courtesy of Battersea Dog?s Home. And already, there are no shortage of volunteers.

The scheme is part of a campaign called Paws for Thought, which is aimed at making owners plan ahead before they go on holiday and not force their dogs to fend for themselves.

Ali Cuthbert, spokesperson for Battersea Dog’s Home explained: “We hope to put the couple through a similar experience to what a dog would go through while in kennels – although some of the procedures, like de-fleeing, will have to be improvised.

“We have been inundated with calls from people wanting to volunteer – muchmore than expected. We will probably have to hold auditions to decide on who will take part.”

Anyone wishing to take part must own a dog which will be given a day of luxury, while its owner samples life “as a dog”.

No date has yet been fixedfor the day but it?s expected to take place some time next month.

For more information contact Paws for Thought (tel: 020 8569 9889).

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