Among the four new patronages announced by the Duchess of Sussex as 2019 gets under way is the animal welfare charity, Mayhew. The organisation is focused on supporting cats, dogs and the communities they live in.
Mayhew was set up in 1886 and since then has spearheaded initiatives designed to reduce the number of animals in need. Its main centre is in London but it also works around the UK and internationally with schemes in several countries including India and Afghanistan.
The charity’s work includes rehoming dogs and cats while a network of welfare officers rescue animals every day. They also visit homeless centres to ensure people’s pets, often their only companion, are kept healthy and can stay with their owners. All its work is centred on the links between animals and community welfare.
Meghan’s love of animals is well known as is her support for welfare charities. Before meeting Prince Harry, she adopted two rescue dogs called Bogart and Guy and since their wedding in May 2018, the Sussexes have taken in another pup in need of a home. In the announcement of the new patronage, the Royal Household said that ‘’the Duchess has long understood the connection between animals and community welfare’’ and highlighted her previous work supporting animal rescue centres in her former home in Los Angeles.
Caroline Yates, CEO of Mayhew, said ‘’we are so excited that HRH The Duchess of Sussex has chosen to be our Patron’’ and added ‘’the Duchess has spent many years championing animal welfare and we are honoured to have our charity represented by such a passionate Patron’’.
The charity also has a number of celebrity ambassadors helping it in its work, among them actress and presenter, Joanna Lumley, dancer and choreographer Arlene Phillips, documentary maker and journalist, Louis Theroux and actor, Sir Tony Robinson. Its website can be found at www.mayhew.org.
As well as Mayhew, the duchess announced three other patronages on January 10th 2019 – the National Theatre, the Association of Commonwealth Universities and Smart Works.