We all know the saying: “A pet’s for life, not just for Christmas,” but unfortunately, many people don’t heed this advice, resulting in huge numbers of unwanted animals ending up at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home every year. 

If, like us, this fact distresses you, why not get involved with the Home’s latest campaign?

The charity invites you to cast on for Staffordshire Bull Terriers as part of their campaign to show the soft and affectionate side of this breed.

Battersea’s campaign features a knitted Staffie designed exclusively for the charity by Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, the design duo behind 'Best in Show: Knit your own dog' and 'Best in Show: Knit your own cat', published by Collins and Brown. 

Sally Muir says: “Both Joanna and I have owned Battersea dogs before so we are delighted to be working with Battersea on such a worthwhile campaign. Hopefully our knitted Staffie will encourage more people to see Staffies in a different light. Our designs are quite simple and perfect for beginners. If you love crafts and dogs you’ll love this project.”

Last year Battersea took in almost 7000 lost and unwanted dogs, 40 per cent of which were Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Staffie crosses. The Home says indiscriminate sale and breeding is leading to such high numbers being abandoned, but sadly not enough people are willing to give the breed a chance.

“The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has become stigmatised in this country because of a small minority of people who own them for the wrong reasons,” says Claire Horton, Battersea’s Chief Executive. “As a result, many people have a negative perception of them, when in reality they are loving and extremely affectionate. We hope that our knitted Staffie will encourage more people to see their softer side and that more people will want to give one a home.”

The knitted Staffie pattern is available from Battersea’s website for just £2, with all proceeds going directly towards the Home. We think it makes a fabulous, unusual Christmas gift that will never need to be re-homed!

To find out more visit www.battersea.org.uk/staffie

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