Like many charities, Edinburgh’s Dog and Cat Home receives no public funding and relies entirely on voluntary donations to survive. That makes it difficult enough to cover the cost of essentials, so there is seldom anything left over for luxuries or indulgences. But that’s when it pays to have friends – a group of 157 exceptionally dedicated and enthusiastic people whose official title is Friends of the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home.

The ‘Friends’ was originally formed in 1984 when a small group of people arranged a coffee morning on behalf of the charity and raised £400. This year, 25 years and £650,000 later, the Friends of the EDCH, led by Chair of the Friends, Winifred Bruce and Vice Chair, Mamie Johnston, recently celebrated their ‘silver’ anniversary, sharing the occasion – and doubtless, the specially commissioned cake – with David Ewing, manager of EDCH, and Ciara, the seven-year-old rescued golden collie cross and current ‘cover girl’ of the Home’s latest annual report.

"The group was originally led by Millie Connell, whose husband was manager of the Home at the time," explains Winifred Bruce. "Money was raised and friendships forged as the Friends started to make a difference, helping to pay vet fees and the cost of refurbishing houses for puppies and kittens. Then in 1993 Millie hit on the idea of opening a charity shop, which opened in Portobello High Street and later, moved across the road to larger premises officially opened by Aileen Paterson, author of the famous ‘Maisie the Cat’ books."

The rest, as they say, is history. Funds raised by the Friends have continued to help provide many extras for the animals and also improve conditions for the staff. "The Friends are wonderful people who have made such a difference in so many ways," says Home manager, David Ewing. "Their efforts have upgraded our sick bay and grooming room, refurbished the cattery, provided a dishwasher for the kitchen, chairs for the lecture room, feeding barrows, vet beds and feeding bowls. When we mentioned we needed a digital camera to help re-home animals from our website, the Friends came through – and, of course, they have re-homed many of our dogs and cats."

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is a much beloved institution in the city. It’s also Scotland’s oldest dog and cat sanctuary, having been in existence since 1884 when it was located in Comely Bank Gardens. It moved to Broughton Road in 1900 and again in 1957 to its current site in Seafield Road East. Last year staff at the Home cared for 3,239 dogs and 1,244 cats, lost and/or abandoned animals who find sanctuary here and are welcomed and made comfortable while staff endeavour to find them new homes where they will be given the love and proper attention they deserve.

The Home has a non-destruct policy and is run by people who are passionate about what they do. Donations are always welcomed, as are visitors. To find out more or to make an online donation visit www.edch.org.uk