Donation-Powered Christmas Tree Saves Lives

A puppy and a horse have switched on the first of the lights on the world’s only donation-powered Christmas tree, which will help sick, injured and homeless Blue Cross pets.

Based at our Burford rehoming centre in Oxfordshire, the festive installation will literally light up the season for needy pets in our care, as part of our campaign encouraging the public to take action to help, rather than just feeling pity.

Blue Cross Burford Rehoming Centre Manager Jenna Martyn said: “The festive period is meant to be a happy time of year for everyone but we expect to be caring for over 1,000 sick, injured and homeless pets across our 11 rehoming centres on Christmas Day this year.

“Our beautiful Christmas tree will shed a light on the work that all our valued centre staff and volunteers do at our clinics and rehoming sites across the country. Blue Cross is totally reliant on public donations to continue its work helping pets in need. Every light on our tree represents the kindness and generosity of those who’ve sent in donations to help the pets in our care and every single donation is very welcome.”

The unique 12 foot blue-coloured tree has been decorated with fairy lights that will only illuminate in response to people’s donations to the charity in the lead up to 24 December. It launched with just one solitary light, and as people embrace the festive spirit and donate to Blue Cross, more bulbs will illuminate - until the tree is fully lit.

Should this be achieved, it will represent thousands of individual donations which will help us look after the hundreds of pets in our care this Christmas.

It may be tradition to ask a local celebrity to turn on festive illuminations, but we gave the honour of switching on the tree’s first light to Max, an 18-week-old jack russell terrier puppy who was brought to us after he was abandoned by an unscrupulous seller.

He returned to our Burford rehoming centre to do his part in shining a light on the charity’s yuletide appeal, and is looking forward to spending his first Christmas with a loving new family. Max was also joined by a horse called Banks who lent a hoof to help turn on the lights.

The tree also features 50 baubles, each one picturing the portrait of a pet Blue Cross has looked after throughout this year. They include pets such as Pebbles the cat; she was looked after by vets at our animal hospital in Victoria after being hit in the face with a boot. Her injuries led to her losing her eye but thankfully she made a speedy recovery and has since found a happy new home.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for regular video updates throughout December.