The dog rescue charity with its roots in Sussex announces more support for its wonderful work
Legendary TV presenter Eammon Holmes has joined Sue Barker CBE as a patron for 100% volunteer dog rescue charity K-9 Angels. He also joins S Club 7 singer and songwriter Jo O’Meara, who is the charity’s celebrity ambassador.
Eamonn met the charity co-founders Victoria Featherstone Pearce (and Sussex local) and Pola Pospieszalska 10 years ago and have attended events together over the years including a charity event at Downing Street. Eammon recently hosted the K-9 Angels 10th anniversary event.
On the announcement, Eamonn says: “I am truly honoured that Victoria and Pola asked me to become a patron with Sue. I met them initially at a charity event and I was immediately impressed with their dedication and drive for rescuing abused and abandoned dogs.
‘They have rescued and rehomed over 1,200 dogs since they launched 10 years ago – finding them perfect forever homes. They take spay and neutering very seriously as this makes a huge difference to the overseas dog population where dogs can be left on the streets to die or taken into terrible dog shelters. Imagine a dog with no food, no love, no walks… People are doing what they can of course, however much more needs to be done.
“Dogs have a very special place in my heart as I know they do with us all in the UK – and my dog Maggie has helped get me through some difficult times too,” he adds. “Every dog deserves a loving forever home and I will do all what I can to be the best patron possible to this fantastic 100% volunteer charity. I thank all of their wonderful supporters, donators and of course the supporters who step up to take a rescued dog into their hearts and home.”
Co-founder Victoria says: “We are delighted that we have the support of three household names – all are equally as passionate about dogs and helping to give every dog the wonderful home it deserves.
‘Eammon is passionate about dogs and has a rescue dog Maggie, Sue gave a forever home to the amazing Batty (Biaatu) who sadly has since passed away. Jo now has a K-9 Angels rescue dog, Cece (who can sing!), and despite Jo being petrified of heights she even did a wing walk to raise funds for us recently. We cannot thank Eammon, Sue and Jo enough – it’s all about the dogs for us!”
Showing the amazing work they do, Sue Barker says: “Biaatu was eight-years-old, five years on the streets before being rounded up by the dog catchers. K-9 angels rescued him thankfully but then he was sitting there for three years waiting for a home. We couldn’t resist his story, we wanted to give him a chance. We wanted to give him a home.
“The first evening he crawled into my husband’s tennis bag as he didn’t know where to sleep (or hide)… it was heartbreaking. We had a rescue cocker spaniel called Charlie who showed him the ropes and he became the most loving dog. We had six glorious years with Batty [as we couldn’t pronounce Biaatu]. He wasn’t the prettiest dog but he had the biggest heart of any dog we’ve owned and has left a huge hole in our hearts when he passed away in 2021.”
k-9angels.org