ANOTHER CAMPAIGN WIN!

nicky733
Jul 15
2 min read

🎉 Another Win for Dog Safety in Our Community!

We’ve been working hard with local councillors and departments to improve safety for dog owners in public spaces. It’s not always quick — there are forms to fill in, meetings to attend, and different departments to coordinate — but persistence pays off. And we’re excited to share our latest success!

The Project: A Message Board with a Mission

Following a suggestion from a local councillor, we applied for CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) funding to install our very first dog safety message board — just steps away from where little Doris was found on the railway, and right beside a popular off-lead dog walking spot.

We’ve been campaigning to get holes in fences repaired along this stretch for some time. But the truth is, even when repairs are made, new gaps appear. This board will help raise awareness of the risk and give dog owners clear, instant information about what to do if the worst happens. It's simple; keep a close eye or a lead on your dog in this area.

💬 What Is CIL?

CIL stands for Community Infrastructure Levy — money paid by developers when they build new projects. That money is then made available to improve local areas, and anyone can apply.

CIL funds have supported a wide range of community projects, from refurbishing village halls and planting schemes to creating safer paths and new bike racks — and now, our very own dog safety initiative.

✅ A Competitive Bid — and a Win!

We were thrilled to hear that our application was successful — especially since the pot for our ward was oversubscribed. That means others missed out, so we’re truly grateful to have been chosen.

Our thanks go to the local councillors, the staff behind the scenes, and our friends at DogLost Dorset for their support and encouragement.

📍 What Will the Board Include?

We’re still working closely with the council on the final design — it has to fit their quality and style guidelines — but we’ve already submitted the key information we want it to show.

That includes:

A warning about the nearby live railway line
Clear steps on what to do if a dog goes missing
Our signature paw-shaped QR code, linking straight to Safe Paws

Because this is a council-delivered project, we don’t receive the funds directly — but we’re fully involved in shaping the message and we’re excited to see it take shape.

💛 Why It Matters

Every small step like this helps build a safer world for dogs and their people. And it proves that local voices can make a difference.

So here’s to the first of what we hope will be many message boards — and to a future where fewer dogs go missing, and more are quickly found.