As a nation of pet lovers, most owners know just how much their pet becomes an important part of their family, and for many, a pet is the only companion they have. Sadly, the grief owners feel when a beloved pet dies can often be overlooked, downplayed, or even ignored. The team at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home realise some people need more support at such a difficult time and offer a variety of special ways for owners to remember and honour their pets.

In 2019 Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home opened ‘Leo’s Garden’, a reflection garden at their Seafield site to allow the public a private space to reflect and remember their pet. Within the garden are two beautifully crafted metal trees where people can dedicate a leaf in memory of their pet. Now the Home is delighted to announce the launch of its online Memory Trees providing a beautiful way for members of the public to memorialise animals they have lost. Individuals can purchase a leaf and dedicate it to a beloved pet, giving them a place to visit to reflect and commemorate a lost friend.

Generously built by Edinburgh based tech company Forrit, the site enables you to purchase a virtual leaf for your dog or cat, upload a favourite image and leave a short message to commemorate them. Friends and family can visit the site with the added option of making a donation in memory. This will help raise vital funds for the Home’s work to rescue, reunite and rehome the city’s lost and abandoned pets.

Ailsa Stevenson, Individual Giving Officer at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home said: “Here at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, we understand how difficult it is to lose a much loved pet and the need to have a special way to honour them. We also recognise that many people are unable to personally visit our site, particularly in this new world we are all living in. Therefore, we are pleased to introduce our new virtual memory trees on our website, where our supporters can visit day or night, to have a moment for themselves or share with family and friends from the comfort of their own homes.”

To visit the Home’s virtual memory trees please visit Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home | Rescue, Reunite and Rehome Animals (edch.org.uk).