M6toll will provide funding to support the creation of dedicated sensory planting areas within two new Enrichment Paddocks at Birmingham Dogs Home’s rescue centre in Solihull.
The project aligns with the funding theme of promoting animal wellbeing and improving the lives of vulnerable dogs in local communities.
These purpose-built outdoor spaces will give dogs access to safe, stimulating environments designed to support their physical and emotional wellbeing.
The Enrichment Paddocks will feature a carefully selected range of dog-safe herbs, grasses and flowering plants, including rosemary, sage, thyme, lavender and ornamental grasses.
The sensory planting scheme will encourage natural behaviours such as sniffing, exploring and scent tracking, providing dogs with a rich variety of scents, textures and colours to stimulate their senses and promote positive engagement with their surroundings.
Birmingham Dogs Home is seeing increasing numbers of dogs arriving at its centre experiencing anxiety, low confidence and behavioural challenges.
While the charity provides the highest standards of care, dogs also benefit greatly from opportunities to explore, make choices and engage in natural behaviours outside of the kennel environment.
The new paddocks will provide dedicated therapeutic spaces that help reduce stress, build confidence and encourage positive behaviours while dogs await their forever homes.
Sally Insley, head of income generation at Birmingham Dogs Home said: “We are incredibly grateful to M6toll for supporting this important project.
“The new sensory planting areas will play a vital role in creating enriching outdoor environments where dogs can explore, relax and build confidence. By supporting both the physical and emotional wellbeing of dogs in our care, we can better prepare them for life in new homes, increasing their chances of successful adoption and helping us support even more homeless dogs across the West Midlands.”
Jo Brett, external communications assistant at M6toll, said: “Our commitment to supporting the communities we serve extends to the incredible organisations working to improve animal welfare across the region.
“We are proud to support Birmingham Dogs Home and their Enrichment Paddocks project, which will provide vulnerable dogs with dedicated outdoor spaces that reduce stress, encourage positive behaviours and improve their overall wellbeing while they wait to be rehomed.”
The project will be overseen by Birmingham Dogs Home’s Behaviour and Training Team, who will monitor the delivery of the paddocks and assess their impact through ongoing behavioural observations.
The charity hopes the project will improve welfare outcomes, reduce average lengths of stay and create greater capacity to help more dogs in need across the West Midlands.
