Midsomer Norton’s canine hub, The Dog Lover Shop & Coffee Stop, has once again done their bit to help animals in need. Over 30 packages of generously donated dog toys and treats made their way to Iraq in January, arriving just in time for the start of February.

Since December, The Dog Lover Shop & Coffee Stop has been taking donations for their winter collection in aid of War Paws. The video above shows just how impactful your donations are in helping War Paws turn depraved situations the dogs found themselves in to warm moments at the shelter working tirelessly to help dogs in war torn countries.

War Paws are a charity providing animals with a sanctuary at a shelter in Iraq.

The team care for over seven hundred dogs at the shelter, and are in desperate need of donations of food and toys. The shelter has a growing number of large dogs in their care weighing over 35 kilograms, which means that food stocks deplete at a rapid rate. The charity appreciates every donation it gets. New and part bags of food will be accepted.

Winter temperatures in Iraq are a few degrees warmer than in our climate, though the dogs are likely to still feel the cold with the majority of the shelter being an outdoor compound. Donations of large coats and jumpers to fit big breeds are welcomed.

Finally, the dogs are eager to get their jaws around something they can play with! They are particularly fond of soft plushies, even ones that you might’ve grown out of as a child will do - as long as the eyes are removed to avoid choking hazards. They can be new or used, just make sure to pop them in the washing machine before donating.

Donations of dry food, small treats, toys and coats/jumpers can be taken to The Dog Lover Shop & Coffee Stop at The Island in Midsomer Norton.

Kate Geernaert, who owns The Dog Shop & Coffee Stop in Midsomer Norton (and groomery in Paulton), explained why she helps the charity, “I realise how little these dogs have. Ever since we got our first rescue, Dolly, we’ve been involved with retrieving dogs from Ukraine when the war broke out there. It has been a personal journey for me. War Paws were very kind to house those one hundred rescues and I am always trying to give back to them to thank them for their help and generosity.

“I also very much believe in adopting and helping dogs that haven’t got homes. There are so many in all countries that need somewhere to go, but these dogs in particular are not safe in a lot of kennels in other parts of the world. Often terrible things happen to dogs before War Paws pick them up, abuse, neglect... it’s a very different world for stray animals there.”