Who Are The Blue Cross

We have been caring for animals for more than 100 years. When we started out, in 1897, we were called Our Dumb Friends League but we changed our name in the 1950s because of the role our Blue Cross fund played in helping sick and needy animals in the two World Wars.

Caring for horses is at the heart of our history and in 1900 we bought the first horse ambulance to be used on London’s streets. In 1902, when many places in London closed their water troughs because of an outbreak of the horse disease glanders, we persuaded companies using horse transport to carry a bucket on the back of each vehicle so the horses could still be watered. 

In 1905 we set up a scheme to station draught horses at the bottom of London’s steep hills to help smaller horses pull heavy loads.

Today we have three equine centres which look after more than 100 horses at any one time and we have around 500 out on loan. Many people find our loan scheme the perfect way to provide a horse or pony with a loving home. We also help needy dogs, cats and small animals and we have 11 adoption centres dedicated to caring for, rehabilitating and rehoming pets.

Many of these are unwanted, some are strays and others are much-loved pets whose owners have sadly died. We work hard to give them a second chance in life.

Our four animal hospitals care for pets whose owners can’t afford private vets’ fees and we carry out more than 50,000 consultations a year.

We also educate people on responsible animal ownership and we regularly visit schools and branches of The Pony Club to talk to children about animal welfare and the work of The Blue Cross.

Here are just some of the faces we’ve helped along the way:

• Treacle
• Lassie
• Amber

Treacle

Treacle had been severely neglected and was in a pitiful state when he was rescued from a farm in Wales.  In time the little 11.2hh native pony was transferred to us. Treacle now lives with the Plumridge family where he is proving to be the perfect pony for seven-year-old Connie. Mum Amanda said: “Connie is having lots of fun on Treacle.  He is a lovely, cheeky little pony who is always pleased to see you in the mornings. He always behaves well with Connie and her three-year-old sister Ruby who can’t wait to claim him for herself when Connie has outgrown him.”

Lassie

Lassie found herself without a home when her owner became ill and couldn’t take care of her anymore. The collie cross still had a lot of love to give and she just needed a second chance in life. Now she’s been given that chance after finding a new home with Marc and Claire Hayes and her confidence has come on in leaps and bounds. Claire said: “Lassie is happy and relaxed in her new home. She can be very playful and when we go out for a walk and dry her off with a towel she loves it and tries to grab the towel and play with it. She likes to go to the beach and she’s had a dip in the sea. We’re hoping to take her on our continental holidays. Lassie is one of the family now.”

Amber

Amber was found abandoned in a cardboard box with a note from her owners saying they could no longer look after her. The tortoiseshell cat proved to be extremely outgoing and friendly and just loves being the centre of attention. Her favourite trick is standing on her back legs and gently giving you a high five with her front paws. Amber had a lot of love to give but needed someone to love her back. Now she’s found that someone after being adopted. Her new owner says: “She’s settled in really well and it’s almost as if she’s always lived here. She gets on really well with our dogs and she’s still up to her old tricks of standing on her back legs. We all love her to bits - she’s great.”