ELLA Hooper has always loved and been interested in animals and when she took a job with the Dog’s Trust it was the perfect position.

She started with a temporary post at the Kenilworth branch and, when that finished, applied for a role at the Evesham rehoming centre, where she’s been for six years.

Ella is one of a band of canine carers who help to look after, train and rehome around 800 dogs, of all shapes and sizes, a year which pass through the Evesham centre.

“I have worked with dogs since I was 18. I have always worked with animals and done animal care,” she said.

There are many different aspects of being a canine carer but Ella particularly enjoys the training. “I prefer nervous dogs. I like bringing them on. We have a lot of nice dogs that do not need a lot of help but there are others that need TLC and softer training.

“It is so rewarding, especially if the dog gets to know you and trust you,” she said.

Some dogs are rehomed fairly quickly while others stay with the trust for years. Ella said she had one dog she was training for three years but eventually, as a result of the animal going to one of their foster homes for a while, it did find a permanent home.

Some are rehomed and come back to the centre if the placement is not successful but they can stay at the Dog’s Trust in Evesham until they find a new home – there isn’t a time limit.

Ella, who has a cat and two pet rabbits at home, said: “I just like making sure they have a nice day and have some fun.”

Each canine carer’s day at the Dog’s Trust starts with a briefing where they find out what dogs have arrived or left for new homes; are told of any appointments, including information about dogs due to be handed in by members of the public, and what they will be doing that day.

This is followed by making sure the dogs have everything they need for the day – food, exercise, clean kennels, company, mental stimulation and training.

The vet suite at the centre is extremely busy during the morning with new dogs arriving and others leaving for their new homes. Their health is monitored throughout their stay with the trust.

Any dogs leaving for their new homes are ready to go by 10am and all new owners attend a pre-adoption talk to help them understand how to care for their dog. The owners are also given some food, medical information about their new pet, general advice and information about the Dog Trust’s training and behavioural advice for life.

Those dogs staying at the trust then get a chance to have some fun with an hour of playtime. The trust believes it is important the dogs get as varied a day as possible and can spend some time off the lead too. It tries to introduce the dogs to as many other four-legged friends as possible during their time with there - this can mean playing in the paddock together or going out on a walk.

Then there is an opportunity for potential new owners to visit the centre and find out about any suitable dogs as staff tell them about the animals that may fit in with them. Then the visitors get a chance to meet some dogs. If that goes well, other family members are encouraged to visit too and to bring other dogs if they have them, to make sure they get on.

Each afternoon brings an opportunity for staff to assess the training and behaviour of new dogs – including how they get on with other dogs and understand how to play. They also provide training for dogs with additional needs.

Canine carers also spending time with the dogs, teaching them basic training and commands to help keep them occupied and stimulated.

Any dogs which need grooming will get some sprucing up during the afternoon – a bath, nail cut and fur trim to make them feel more comfortable and look their best to catch the eye of potential new owners.

Some of the centre’s dogs go into temporary foster care called Home from Home and the co-ordinator Sarah Fortey goes out in the afternoons to check how they are getting on.

At 4pm each day the dogs have their final feed and walk of the day and settle down for the night, to dream of the day when it’s their turn to head off to their new home with their forever family.

With the last of the visitors gone, staff head home for the day - ready to do it all again tomorrow and see which homeless hounds they will be caring for until they find their special someone.