Manchester Dogs' Home: Social media campaign takes off as owners post dog selfies

JustGiving page has been flooded with donations as Twitter users and owners on Facebook show their support

Animal lovers have taken to social media this morning to support Manchester Dogs’ Home – posting a selfie of themselves and their pet alongside their donation for the centre.

Donations for Manchester Dogs’ Home on one JustGiving page have already exceeded £500,000 - and look set to continue.

A Facebook page, Dog selfie for Manchester dogs’ home, already has more than 2,200 likes with people posting photos of themselves and their dogs – who were often rescued from Manchester Dogs’ Home.

Writing on the page, Lee Smiley posted the following: “Jake got from the Manchester dogs home, so i will be donating today”.

On the same page Rachel Watmore wrote: “Scruffy's selfie thinking of you all, our donation on it's way.”

The hashtag #ManchesterDogsHome was trending on Twitter this morning, with users also posting photos of themselves and their dogs.

The fire was believed to have started in the dog centre’s kennels at around 7pm last night. 30 fire-fighters battled the flames, which were eventually brought under control after damaging a third of the kennels.

At least 60 dogs have died in the fire, although that number is expected to rise as police and fire services continue their investigation.

The Manchester dogs’ home had a maximum capacity of 400 dogs.

Around 150 animals were rescued and are now being temporarily housed in sister home in Grappenhall, Cheshire.

A 15-year-old boy is being questioned on suspicion of arson as a joint investigation by Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.