Overview

The Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home (EDCH) is where people can come to adopt four-legged family members, and if sadly needed, to use the service to rehome pets. The Home has been running for over 140 years and been in place in its current location since the 1950s. We visited to find out about disabled access and to donate some Euan's Guide dog bowls. The team gave us a special tour so that we can tell you about the Home's disabled access. We were welcomed by a lovely team of humans and dogs (the team's dogs make up part of the crew and were very happy to meet us!). If you are visiting and have some emotional needs, if the team know in advance they can keep the energy levels quieter to give you time and space. Visits to the EDCH are coordinated online - so please do check their website to make a booking or talk to one of the very helpful team. As well as visiting the EDCH to adopt, members of the public can hire large outdoor spaces to exercise their own dogs. Even though the property is quite old (built in the 50s), we didn't have a problem getting about with a powerchair. And if you want to help the Home with a donation - there are donation tubs in the reception area where items like pet food and blankets can be dropped off.

Transport & Parking

There is a disabled parking space right outside the entrance, which is off-street, in the venue's own car park. Public transport is a bit harder to manage - about a 10 minute walk away from the nearest bus stop.

Access

There is a ramp to get into the building that we managed in a power chair. There is an auto push-button door to get into main reception area. From the reception area to the dog exercising space or the toilets, there is another ramp. For an older building, we could get around quite well. The building is quite old, and you can see the charity has done its best to make it as accessible as possible. If you use a chair and are thinking of adopting a cat - the EDCH team would be very happy to accommodate you to find a way to meet the cats. We saw many cats from the outdoors. They have lovely exercise spaces to use - many happy cats had a little meow-chat to us through their fenced areas. We went to a Small Paddock pen (which can also be hired for exercising dogs) to meet a wee dog called Daisy - very flat to get there with a powerchair, and lots of room for all of us, and plenty of space for Daisy to take her time to say hello. It overlooks the Firth of Forth – lovely fresh sea air! We also checked out the large dog park that the public can hire by the hour for personal use to exercise their dogs. The Home also uses for Community days (keep an eye on their social media). There was a bit of an incline to wheel into the big dog park but it was managed it fine in a powerchair. The grassed area is kept well mowed and it is relatively flat (see photos). A huge area for dogs to exercise in. There is also a small memorial garden path open to the public that is tended by volunteers. A lovely way to remember a dear pet and support the Home. The path/incline was a bit too difficult for our powerchair to navigate (Karine did a good go of it to let people know!).

Toilets

The accessible loo has transfer space (right-hand transfer), a red cord, grab rails, low sink and baby change table. The door opens inwards, but we had room to spin around. The loo is tucked away, so do ask the team if you need to use it. See photos in my review.

Staff

The staff are amazing people who are very passionate about rehoming dogs and cats. They were very happy to help us. We met quite a few of the team who do 1:1 work with the animals, and they were all very friendly. The team were very kind in accommodating us to make sure we got around the site as easy as possible.

Photos