Rescue dogs are animal-loving mayor's special guests
Four adorable rescue dogs were guest visitors at a mayor's parlour to help promote an animal charity.
Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Paul Bott, has chosen Many Tears Animal Rescue as one of his mayoral charities of the year.
It means that during his time as mayor, fundraising events and collections will be held to support the charity, which takes in dogs that are in poor physical shape, often abandoned, unwanted and ill-treated.
The animals are brought back to good health and safe new homes are found for them via the animal rescue team.
Councillor Potts, who adopted a dog himself from the charity, said: "Some of the dogs rescued by the charity go into Walsall Manor Hospital.
"They visit children on the wards, who can play with them before going into theatre. It's a way of reassuring them.
"They are therapeutic dogs who offer them comfortable while in hospital and are used by the Kissing It Better charity.
"We have two rescue dogs ourselves and one came from Many Tears Animal Rescue.
"He had been rescued from a puppy farm and was in quite a bad way.
"We've always had West Highland White Terriers as breeds and our latest one we've had for about two years now, and the other nine."
Animal-loving councillor Botts, from Darlaston, has already won a battle during his time in office to not wear mayoral robes made of animal fur after he protested over the issue.
He called for the fur to be removed and council chiefs agreed to buy a faux fur robe for him to wear as a replacement.
Now he is appealing for any donations towards the animal charity during his year in office by sending cheques, payable to the 'Mayor's Charity Fund', to the mayor's secretary.
He said: "A lot of their rescue dogs come from puppy farms. When a dog can no longer produce puppies a lot of the time they are killed.
"Many that survive would also be put down but this charity nurses them back to health and ensures they are rehomed."
For further information about making a donation, call 01922 652072 or 01922 652013, email mayor@walsall.gov.uk or pop into The Mayor's Parlour, in Lichfield Street.
