Hats off to animal lover Theresa

As people across the world sit down to open their presents on Christmas morning, animal lover Theresa Lovegrove did something quite different.

Theresa, a Home Direct Coordinator at the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Lewknor, Oxfordshire, is said goodbye to her luscious locks and shaved her head for pets in need.

Theresa said: “Christmas is the time for giving, and after getting so much joy from working for the charity I thought it was about time I gave something in return.

“I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me so far and come to continue to raise, and hopefully exceed my goal.”

Theresa began supporting Blue Cross when she completed work experience at our Lewknor rehoming centre while still at college. She never left.

Over the past nine years, the passionate animal fan has since taken on a range of roles at the charity, including Volunteer Coordinator and Animal Welfare Assistant, and is now dedicated to our Home Direct service, not only caring for pets at our centre, but for the ones who stay in their homes until we can find them a lovely new one, too.

Work doesn’t stop at 5pm for Theresa and she never complains about taking her work home with her - she regularly hand-rears kittens who need round-the-clock care.

The pet welfare enthusiast has given homes to two pets from Blue Cross: Blackie, a lovely cat who unfortunately had FIV and lived happily as a house cat with her for four years, and Dougal, a lovely 15-year-old dog who came into our Lewknor centre as a stray just before Christmas last year.

Theresa aimed to raise £500 to help pets in need but smashed her target and raised over £2,000!

Theresa also donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment.