England and Sale Sharks star Tom Curry meets some new furry friends

England and Sale Sharks flanker Tom Curry made the most of his free weekend by swapping the rugby pitch for the kennels at Dogs Trust Manchester.

With a crucial Six Nations game against Scotland on the horizon, the 26-year-old took time out of his busy schedule to visit the rehoming centre, where he met with the team and some of the dogs still searching for their forever homes.

As a devoted dog lover, Tom shares his home with Toby, his beloved four-year-old Dachshund. While away playing rugby, Toby enjoys staying at home with Tom’s mother and watching the game on the television.

During his visit to the Trust in Denton, Tom was given a behind-the-scenes tour of the centre, where he met the hardworking staff and volunteers who ensure the dogs in their care receive the love and enrichment they deserve.

Volunteers play a crucial role in daily tasks such as walking the dogs, cleaning kennels, and organising activities to keep the pups happy and engaged.

After exploring the facilities, Tom was introduced to four of the centre’s furry residents, each with their own unique personality:

Mia the sweet seven-year-old Lurcher is looking for a family willing to embrace her goofy character. She loves to play fetch and stretch her long legs on outdoor walks. She would need to be the only pet in the home, but does enjoy socialising with other four-legged friends.

Next to meet Tom was Harry the eight-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross Lurcher. Harry spends most of his days at the rehoming centre, snoozing away under the reception desk while his human friends are hard at work. He’s a real character, who loves approaching everyone for a cuddle and playing with tennis balls.

Tom also met a puppy during his visit, Jazz the 18-month-old Mastiff Cross who has been at Dogs Trust Manchester for just over a month. Jazz is a bouncy girl who’s on the lookout for her new best friend. She could live with children over the age of 14 who are comfortable around big dogs. She loves to play and explore the outdoors with other like-minded dogs.

Blair the seven-year-old Pocket Bully is the final dog that Tom met during his visit to the centre. He’s been in the organisation’s care for over 280 days and is yet to find his forever home. While other dogs love playing with squeaky toys or doing tricks in exchange for treats, Blair has a unique favourite hobby - he enjoys being read to by his canine carers.

Rebecca Smith, Assistant Manager at Dogs Trust Manchester, said: "It was a pleasure to welcome Tom to the rehoming centre and introduce him to some of the incredible dogs currently in our care. His passion for animals was clear, and it was wonderful to see him take such a genuine interest in the work we do. The dogs loved meeting him just as much as we did!”

“Visits like Tom’s help shine a light on the importance of adoption and the dedication of our team and volunteers, who work tirelessly to give these dogs the second chance they deserve. We hope his visit will inspire more people to consider giving a rescue dog a loving home.”

If you think you could offer Mia, Harry, Jazz or Blair a forever home, please visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/manchester for more information.