Two former four-legged-friends from Dogs Trust Shoreham Rehoming Centre have found their new lives with their new owners have more than lived up to expectations by becoming stars of the airwaves and the small and big screen.

Alvie, (pictured right) a 4 year old Springer Spaniel was rehomed from the Dogs Trust Centre in Shoreham-by-Sea in November 2006 by Heather Driscoll and her partner Darrell Woodford.

Heather works on BBC Southern Counties radio and brings Alvie into work with her every day. Since rehoming him 4 months ago he has been "adopted" as the official Surrey Drivetime Show dog and has his own web pages1 and has even been on air a couple of times.

Heather Driscoll, Alvie’s owner from the BBC Southern Counties Radio webteam, comments:

“Alvie has proved to be so popular at BBC Southern Counties and loves coming in to work where he gets a nice comfy bed and lots of attention and affection from everyone in the office. He has now taken part in the filming for the BBC's new local radio adverts which are to be featured on prime time BBC TV, advertising the services that local radio has to offer and is really becoming a bit of a local celebrity. We’re really chuffed that we could offer him a new loving home and that he can enjoy this new life of his to the full.”

There is also Ross (pictured left), a Great Dane / English Pointer crossbreed who was rehomed by Charlotte Cohen and her husband Kim 2 years ago when he was just 3 months old.

Since finding a new home with Charlotte he has gone on to star in the new Carling beer adverts on television and is also going to be in a film with Scarlett Johanssen and Natalie Portman called 'The Other Boleyn Girl' – due for general release in the UK in early 2008.

As well as rubbing shoulders – quite literally, he is a big dog – with film stars Ross also shares his home with Charlotte’s other dog Elly who came from a dog shelter in Cyprus.

Charlotte Cohen, Ross’ owner, comments:

“Ross is a real character and a big softie. His personality is as huge as he is and is full of cuddles for anyone who wants them! Ross was unsure at first when we took him home but has grown into such a wonderful dog and I find it extremely rewarding owning rescue dogs.”

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, caring for over 15,000 stray or abandoned dogs every year through its network of 17 Rehoming Centres across the UK. Dogs Trust Shoreham cares for around 90 dogs at any one time and is located on Brighton Road, Shoreham-By-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5LT. The Rehoming Centre is open from 12pm until 4pm every day except for Tuesdays when it is closed for staff training. If you are interested in rehoming a dog from the Centre please contact them directly on 01273 452576 or visit www.dogstrust.org.uk / call 020 7837 0006 to find the details of your nearest Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1 For more information, please visit:
www.bbc.co.uk/southerncounties/content/articles/2006/12/07/alvin_feature.shtml

Journalists, photographers and film crews are welcome to visit Dogs Trust Shoreham to interview the staff and dogs at the Rehoming Centre.

Staff available for interview include: Dianne Porter, Dogs Trust Shoreham Rehoming Centre Manager and Naomi Tucker, Dogs Trust Shoreham Supporter Relations Officer and Elaine Potter, Canine Carer.

For more information, please contact Dogs Trust Press Office:

Sharon Hatt, Press Officer, Dogs Trust
020 7833 7620, email: sharon.hatt@dogstrust.org.uk

Naomi Tucker, Supporter Relations Officer, Dogs Trust Shoreham 
01273 440856, email: Naomi.tucker@dogstrust.org.uk  

Or visit our online press office at www.dogstrust.org.uk

Dogs Trust is working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.