Purple Paw
Around 60% of UK households share their lives with a pet, the importance of that relationship is often overlooked.
Purple Paw is all about you and the special bond you share with your pet. For so many of us, animals are not “just pets” - they are part of our family. They’re there in the quiet moments, the difficult days and the joyful ones too. They ease loneliness, lift our spirits, give us a reason to step outside and offer comfort when we need it most.
As part of our ‘Protect Animals. Protect People.’ campaign, Purple Paw is shining a light on why the animal–human bond truly matters. We’re inviting you to share your story and a photo of the companion who makes a difference in your life, whether they supported you through a tough time or simply make you smile every day.
By sharing your experience, you’ll help us celebrate this connection and show just how powerful the bond between people and their pets really is.
Explore this section
Stories from the Purple Paw Community
Millie
About
“Millie was a unique French Bulldog. She brought happiness to everyone who met her. She was registered with Pets As Therapy, visited a Dementia Café in Rochester, attended local church services, and volunteered on the Tug Touchstone. She also spent time in care homes in Bexleyheath and Sidcup, and at Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice, bringing happiness to the residents, making them smile and helping their loneliness slip away as they stroked and petted her.
Millie made us smile too. She supported our wellbeing, getting us out for walks and helping us meet people who would stop to say hello in the street, turning strangers into new friends. We gave Millie a home, but she was the one who rescued us.”
Jack
About
“One of the dearest family members I have ever had was my dog Jackson, who we adopted
under tragic circumstances in September 1980 when he was a puppy and who had an
adoring home with us for his entire 17 years of life. He was acutely empathic, deeply loyal,
and one of the sweetest people I have ever met in my life. Sadly he succumbed to liver
cancer on the 28th November 1997, but I have both his ashes and his photograph on my
bedroom book case and can safely say that he was one of the most important people to
me that I have ever had in my life. I look forward to seeing him again in Heaven one day,
but meanwhile my memories of him fill me with joy and happiness. Jack, you were an
angel in canine form.”
Tiggy
About
“Having a tonsillectomy in your fifties is not easy. The recovery was painful and slow, and
during those long weeks at home I often felt exhausted and frustrated. But I wasn’t alone. My
rescue cat Tiggy, already 14 years old, rarely left my side. She seemed to sense that
something was wrong. When I rested on the sofa, she would curl up beside me, purring
softly. When sleep was difficult, she would settle on the bed as if keeping watch. Her quiet
companionship became a huge comfort. At a time when my recovery felt endless, Tiggy
brought calm and reassurance. Fortunately, my tonsil turned out not to be cancerous- the
enlargement was due to a huge undetected abscess. However, I'm grateful that I trusted my
instincts, as well as for Tiggy’s quiet care during that difficult time..”
Teddy
About
“Teddy, a large, long-haired ginger and white stray tom cat, came into our lives during lockdown. It really felt like Teddy found us when we needed him most. He arrived during such a heartbreaking time for our family. He was our salvation after my sister died of cancer, and he was and is by my side through tears and grief. He helps our family and me with his sweet, loving, caring nature.
He must have had a horrible life as a stray because he was always so hungry at first. But he is the most loving cat you could ever imagine. He is so very loved by us all and gives us so much joy. Rescue cats are so very special; he is a superstar.
Teddy has completely changed my life for the better. I honestly don’t know what I would do without him. Thank you, darling Teddy.”
Pebbles
About
“Pebbles is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I adopted her from a dog rescue centre when she was 16
weeks old and we quickly formed a strong bond. She is always by my side. She is now working
towards her Gold Level Qualification of scent training and continues to amaze me with her ability.
Pebbles is a huge part of my life and makes my every day a happy one. I had cancer seven years ago
and she gave me strength each day throughout months of chemotherapy. She brings joy to everyone
she meets and I’m so lucky to share the love and a special relationship like no other. She truly is the
light in my life.”
Maisie
About
“Some twelve years ago, I looked after a friend’s tiny Australian Silky Terrier, Tullulah, while she was in hospital. Within moments, she had my husband under each of her four paws. After she went home, he kept asking for a dog of our own. Although he was living with advanced Alzheimer’s, I eventually agreed, and along came Maisie, a four-year-old rescue Yorkshire Terrier. Their bond was instant and she brought him comfort, companionship and joy throughout the last four years of his life, happily sitting on his lap for hours while he talked. After he died, Maisie became my constant companion, carrying precious memories of my husband until she crossed the Rainbow Bridge to be reunited with him.”
Cat Eccles
Cat Eccles, Member of Parliament for Stourbridge, shares the remarkable story of how an unexpected encounter at a bus stop led to two beloved cats who have become a constant source of companionship.
“It’s quite a funny story of how we got Penny, my now 10-year-old cat. I was on my way to work at the hospital when I saw a man at a bus stop holding a box. Suddenly, a little black kitten popped her head out and, before I knew it, he handed me the box and said, “Can you take it?” I was completely taken aback, but I couldn’t resist. He gave me a couple of packets of cat food, £5 to buy more, then simply walked off, leaving me with this tiny kitten.
I worked in an operating theatre, so I arrived at work hoping my manager wouldn’t notice the box. I hid the kitten in the staff kitchen and phoned my mum, who came to collect her. I wasn’t planning to keep Penny because I already had another cat, who was very much the
queen of the castle, but I couldn’t bear to give her away. Ten years later, she’s still with us and still loves sitting in boxes.
A few years later, my husband and I brought home Hugo, a ginger tom born on the day the UK went into lockdown in March 2020. Despite his size, he’s scared of his own shadow, and although he and Penny have the occasional scuffle, they get on well. Hugo and Penny bring so much to my life. Their love is unconditional, and they always seem to know when I need them most. I can’t imagine my life without them.”
Sam Billingham
Domestic abuse survivor and founder Stronger Beginnings, explains how her cat Harper has become a calming presence in her family's life.
“My cat, Harper, has a wonderfully calming effect on me. His purr is incredibly relaxing and helps reduce my stress levels, especially during our special time together each morning. Our routine is simple but precious. I let him in, feed him, and after settling in front of the fire, he jumps onto my lap, kneads contentedly, curls into a ball and purrs himself to sleep.
We welcomed Harper into our family as a tiny ball of fluff with ears far too big for his head. As an only child, my daughter quickly formed a special bond with him. He became her confidant, always there with a gentle head bump or by curling up beside her when she needed comfort.
For me, Harper is my baby. I adore the comfort he brings, whether I’m stroking his head, touching his little nose or holding him while he purrs in my arms. His companionship is constant, and he always seems to know when I need him most.
Spending time with Harper helps me slow down, be present and appreciate the moment. He has improved my mental health, reduced loneliness and brought me happiness, connection and unconditional love. He’s like a therapy animal without ever realising it.
Most of all, Harper has taught me a lot about life and love. He never dwells on the past or worries about the future – a lesson many of us could learn from.”
Peter Egan
Actor, animal advocate and long-time rescue dog guardian Peter Egan reflects on the many rescue dogs he and his late wife Myra welcomed into their home.
“Over the years my late wife Myra and I have been fortunate enough to have rescued over 16 dogs. Each one was different and each one was unique in personality and look. I know it’s a cliché, but it happens to be true, that they rescue us just as much as we rescue them. There isn’t a single moment I regret in time spent with these wonderful friends and I’ve learnt something from each of them. From the way they developed their individuality and personality as they grew to trust and accept us, to learning that the home we offered was for them to be happy, to be themselves and not to be extensions of us.
Every rescue has a journey to make, from being abandoned or cruelly abused, they have a bridge to cross to trust. I loved all of our dogs equally, but two stood out because they laid a paw on my heart in such a way that insisted that they would be the first among equals. First was DJ, a border-collie spaniel cross who was magical in his attention. He insisted that I look him in the eyes and understand that he was my gatekeeper. He defined for me the meaning of sentience in all animals. Then Pippa, a blonde staffie cross, took my heart. Pippa taught me to live in the moment and the true meaning of forgiveness. She was very nervous when she first joined our home but quickly settled down and said: “I’m here to stay”.
They have both gone now, on their next journey, and I hope they have united again with Myra.”
Tasha
“Mongrel pup wanting good home’ was the advert that caught my eye. I was in my second year at university studying veterinary medicine and that weekend’s rash decision proved to be pivotal in my life. Without any research and without any forward planning (which is definitely not to be recommended) I went off and retrieved ‘mongrel pup’ who I named ‘Tasha’ and who was
with me from that point in time until three weeks after the birth of our first daughter. I had no concept of the amount of help that I needed for our relationship to continue over the years that we were together and I had no idea just how supportive and precious her relationship with me would be. Tasha was my anchor in turbulent storms and a constant friendship for 13 years that kept me sane.
Share your story
Follow our Purple Paw journey
Bringing Parliament together for the Purple Paw campaign
On 19 March, we were proud to host our Purple Paw Parliamentary event, launching our campaign with strong cross-party support. We were delighted to welcome Alex Davies-Jones, then Minister for Violence Against Women and Girls, alongside MPs from four political parties, members of the House of Lords, and our patron, Wendy Turner Webster.
Since then, our campaign has travelled beyond Westminster, from Lincolnshire to Cornwall through our partnership with Refuge4Pets, helping to raise awareness of the vital role pets play in the lives of domestic abuse survivors.
Thanks to our incredible supporters, Purple Paw has also received widespread media coverage. Heartfelt stories celebrating the bond between people and their pets have been featured in national newspapers including The Sun and the Daily Star, as well as Dogs Today magazine, Pet Magazine and the Bucks Herald. Every story shared helps highlight why protecting pets means protecting people.
If you’d like to learn more, read the full blog here, and don’t forget to share your own story about why your pet means so much to you.
How you can help
There are lots of ways to help with our work, from making a donation through to holding fundraising events or even getting involved as a volunteer. Below, you can explore the different ways to help us continue raising standards for animals.
Share your story and photos to help us celebrate the powerful bond between people and their animals.
This simple step would reduce harm to wildlife. Help us deliver this message directly to retailers who can make a real difference.
UK wildlife is under threat, yet crimes against it are treated as minor offences. Urgent legal reform is needed.
Join us in telling your local MP why a change in law is vital to protect our wildlife.
Join us in asking the UK Government to finally end animal testing for all everyday household products.
Unethical extreme designer pet trends are pushing cats and kittens to the limit.
Join us in calling for extreme cat breeding to be banned across the UK.
Your support helps us protect wildlife and tackle cruelty. Every donation makes a real impact.
Take part in a way that works for you, whether volunteering, fundraising or donating items, and help create a kinder future for animals.
