Rescue kennels benefit from professional photographer Cathy Bower’s love of dogs
A photographer’s passion for rescue dogs has led to donations of food to support Stoke-on-Trent’s City Dogs Home.
Cathy Bower pledged to support the rescue kennels by taking portraits of pet owners and their adopted dogs and she’s now appealing for more rescue dog lovers to come forward. All entries will be entered into a competition to win a free photoshoot and print.
An award winning Leek-based commercial photographer, Cathy asked rescue dog owners to tell her what made their pet special. She then pledged to donate food whenever people commission her to photograph their dogs.
Cathy Bower at the City Dogs Home.
“We are a nation of dog lovers yet we know that kennels at places such as the City Dogs Home are always full,” said Cathy. “It is important to try to encourage animal lovers to look to adopt when they are considering dog ownership and I wanted to do my little bit to help. There’s recently been stories about people taking on a rescue dog during coronavirus lockdown, but animal charities fear there will be a wave of abandoned dogs filling the rescue centres once the furlough scheme ends and more redundancies are made. We adopted our much-loved pet, Baxter, three-years-ago and he’s a great addition to the family. He was rescued from a puppy farm and we wouldn’t be without him.”
Cathy is continuing her campaign and is appealing for more owners to tell her the stories about their rescue dogs. She adds: “I want to build a portfolio of photos and stories that can be turned into an exhibition. Since I started this project, the UK has been affected by coronavirus lockdown and that’s led to new stories. I am now looking for people to contact me with how their rescue dog has served as a faithful companion during lockdown, combatting loneliness and accompanying owners on the one daily walk that became a big part of British life as people self-isolated.”
To enter the competition, please search for Cathy Bower Photography on Facebook like the page and then send Cathy your entry.
“Each story of how a dog was rescued and how it has become part of a family is unique,” said Cathy. “In one case, I photographed Sarah and her dog Millie who was rescued from desperate conditions on what was described as a dog meat farm and brought to the UK. She’d been kept in a tiny cage with a floor made from wires that hurt her paws. Sarah told me that dogs on the farm were electrocuted and sold for human consumption and that was the fate destined for Millie. She now lives with Sarah in Brown Edge. Sarah told me that she instantly fell in love with Millie when she saw her on a rescue charity website.”
Sarah and Millie.
Sarah added: “Millie was terrified of everything when she first came, the stairs, the TV, her reflection. She’s still scared of many things but her courage and ability to love is awe inspiring. I struggled earlier on this year with my mental health and I believe I owe my life to Millie. We rescued each other.”
Cathy Bower Photography has built a reputation for creative photography, working extensively in the corporate arena as well as creating “pictures with personality” for families across the Midlands and North West. Animal and pet photography is also a passion, alongside equestrian photo shoots.
Main image Cathy Bower donates dog food to Stoke-on-Trent’s City Dogs Home.
