Here are 5 activities that every animal lover in Birmingham needs to do
Friday 4th October was World Animal Day, but we all know how difficult it can be for animal lovers stuck in the middle of a city, living in halls with a strict no pet policy.
So if you’re studying in Birmingham and looking to make some new furry friends, this list is for you.
Have a purrfect lunch at Kitty Cafe
If you’re a cat person then this place, which doubles up as a rescue centre and adoption service for its four-legged residents, is for you. Admittedly, there’s an entrance fee even before you’ve paid for food and drinks, and it’s advisable to book in advance, but if you’ve got the spare cash and you fancy an afternoon surrounded by adorable felines, go for it!
Where: Grand Central, Birmingham New Street Station
How: Find out more and book a table on their website.
Find a new best friend on BorrowMyDoggy
As a student, your nearest available pooch almost always belongs to someone else. Luckily, there’s a website to put you in contact with your closest pup. BorrowMyDoggy pairs dog lovers looking for a new canine bezzie with dog owners who need someone to take care of walkies or playtime. If you want to get in touch with dog owners and arrange some dog-sitting, you’ll need to become a Premium Member but, with an annual fee of only £12.99, you could fund your doggy dependence just by taking a brief hiatus from Netflix.
Where: Anywhere, not just Brum. As long as there are dog owners nearby, you’re good to go!
How: Sign up on their website.
Have a budget-friendly day out at Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park
Volunteering here is theoretically possible but may be difficult — you’ll need to visit the Birmingham City Council website to apply to volunteer at the city’s parks. If that’s not a practical option for you right now, visiting only costs £6 and you’ll get to hang out with an impressively diverse bunch: from goats and guinea pigs to monkeys, red pandas and antelope. A portion of the fee goes towards the park’s conservation work, meaning you can enjoy seeing the animals whilst contributing to their protection at the same time.
Where: Cannon Hill Park, Pershore Road, Birmingham, B5 7RL
How: For more info, check out their website.
Volunteer at Birmingham Dogs Home
Bobbie is getting ready for #Halloween! Watch out Shark about!!! 🤣 #BDH #birminghamdogshome #rescuedog #exresident pic.twitter.com/JmL63eJkvQ
- Birmingham Dogs Home (@BhamDogsHome) October 2, 2019
This charity, which has been rescuing and re-homing dogs since 1892, currently has a waiting list for volunteer dog walkers but will ‘advertise any future vacancies should they arise’. There’s also Wythall Animal Rescue, the Donkey Sanctuary in Sutton Park as well as the RSPCA’s Training Centre at Newbrook Farm. Have a look around, keep an eye out for vacancies and find out what works for you.
Where: The Birmingham Centre is in Catherine-De-Barnes in Solihull.
How: Keep an eye out for vacancies on their website.
Gate-crash a Pop-Up Dog Cafe
No, you’re not dreaming, this is a thing. Despite being slightly more geared towards dog owners, dog lovers are also welcome to the pop-ups so don’t you dare let that stop you! At these sessions you can enjoy spending a whole one hour and fifteen minutes hanging out in a room full of other people’s dogs, what more would you want? Tickets aren’t too bad either — £10 for adult non-owners — but they’ve been live since mid-September, so get in there quick before they sell out!
Where (and when): The next Pug and Dachshund Cafes are on Sunday 27 October (and yes, they’re Halloween-themed) at Revolution Birmingham, but they run throughout the year.
How: Check the website for upcoming events in Birmingham and other cities.
Originally published at https://uni.news on October 7, 2019.
