A group of Colchester dog groomers are travelling to Greece this summer to give some much needed TLC to 250 stray dogs looking to be rehomed.
Kerry Youngman, who owns Animal Magic in Military Road, has recruited eight of her former apprentices, who all now own their own grooming parlours, to join her trip to Kalamanta in southern Greece on Thursday, June 28.
She will be working alongside Greek dog rescue centre Dream of a Safe Haven (DASH) to help their new intake of strays find a loving home.
“We are going to go out there are treat 250 dogs in four days,” she said.
“The volunteers over there, they feed the dogs, give them shelter - they are the lucky ones with full tummies.
“The dogs that don’t get rehomed will be sheltered for the rest of their days.
“When they come in they are covered with fleas and ticks, have cuts and grazes and matted manes.
“It is just so sad to see these poor dogs,.
“They must feel dreadful.”
The team of groomers, joined by two more from Greece, will bath and groom all the dogs at the rescue home, as well as checking their eyes, ears and noses for any problems.
They will then treat any skin problems and apply treatment for fleas and ticks.
Mrs Youngman said although there are dogs that need help in the UK, they fare much better than the animals in Greece.
“Over here you don’t see dogs starving, crawling in the street,” she said.
“The rescue centres in the UK do a great job.
“I do help a rescue centre here in Colchester and groom all their dogs for free, then she rehomes them.
“I don’t care where they are in the world, all dogs deserve a good quality of life.
“If we can do our bit, then it will be worth it.
“They must feel awful to have ticks sucking the blood out of them.
“Under those matted coats who knows what is going on.
“We will shave it all off and start again.”
A fundraising page has been set up to raise cash to fund the trip and equipment.
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