Jess is filling shoeboxes for dog charities this winter - can you help?

While not many of us have turned our attention to the C-word yet (Christmas, before you get worried), one young dog lover is starting to think about those four-legged friends who need some extra festive cheer.

Jess Colton, 12, is spending the next few months collecting doggy goodies to pack into shoeboxes for two local dog charities. 

Dogs are in the blood for Kingsbridge Community College student Jess, whose mum Suzi runs Waggles, dog walkers and food and treat suppliers, and The Waggle Club on social media. 

Jess with Ben from Morrisons who donated some treats for the shoeboxes

Jess managed to fill and donate 100 boxes last year and hopes to meet or beat that this year, before delivering them to Gables Dogs & Cats Home and Woodside Animal Welfare Trust.

Jess said: “Do you have anything you could donate? A dog collar that no longer fits, a coat they won't wear, treats they don't like (we know that’s a big ask ????) a spare tin or tray of dog food or even a toy they don't play with? 

“Anything dog related we will collect if you are local to us and we will wash before popping them into the shoeboxes.

“Perhaps you are a dog business with some surplus stock?”

Jess outside Herring Shoes picking up the shoeboxes

Jess also wanted to thank Herring Shoes in Kingsbridge, who for the second year in a row have donated the shoe boxes for her to fill. 

If you want to support Jess but don’t have anything to donate, contact her through the Waggles Facebook page because they are organising an Amazon wishlist, so you can choose something off there to donate instead.