We Can't Change Their Past. Will You Change Their Future? Double Donations Week 2026
This Christmas, you can give animals like Hugo the brighter future they deserve.
Every animal deserves to feel safe, loved and cared for. Sadly, for some pets, life begins very differently.
For 11-month-old German Shepherd cross, Hugo, hunger, illness and neglect were all he had ever known. Found by police during a drugs raid, he was desperately unwell and in urgent need of help. But thanks to the dedication of our animal welfare team and the kindness of NAWT supporters, Hugo's story began to change.
From 1st–7th December 2026, we're running our annual Double Donations Week, when every donation made to NAWT will be DOUBLED at no extra cost to you. It's an opportunity to help us provide essential care for more animals in need, just like Hugo.
During Double Donations Week, you can donate online or call 020 8950 0177 (option 1) to make your donation.
Hugo's story: a life that needed to change
Starving, chronically sick and covered in thousands of uncomfortable fleas, Hugo had been left to fend for himself in appalling conditions.
When police discovered him during a drugs raid at the property where he was being kept, they were met by a dog whose body was painfully thin, yet whose tail was wagging. Despite everything he had endured, Hugo greeted them with eyes full of love and hope.
Recognising the obvious signs of neglect, the officers seized Hugo under the Animal Welfare Act. He was just one month away from his first birthday.
The police immediately began looking for somewhere safe for him to go. Eventually, they contacted our NAWT Bedfordshire team, who agreed to stay late so they could welcome Hugo into our care and settle him into a kennel.
For Hugo, it was the beginning of a new chapter. But his road to recovery was far from straightforward.
Hugo was found in a severely emaciated state
The long road to recovery
When Hugo arrived at NAWT, he was severely emaciated, weighing just 20kg. Despite being visibly starving and receiving changes to his nutrition plan, he struggled to gain weight.
Our team knew something else was wrong.
For months, Hugo underwent veterinary investigations as our vets worked to discover what was making him so unwell. Multiple X-rays, blood and urine tests, courses of antibiotics, an endoscopy and two biopsies followed.
Eventually, we found the answer: a bacterial infection and inflammation of his stomach.
Hugo had never previously seen a vet, so the original cause of his condition remains unclear. However, a weakened immune system, stress and an unbalanced diet can all increase the risk of this type of infection.
At last, with a diagnosis and the appropriate treatment, Hugo began to improve.
The team breathed a sigh of relief for the first time, because we could now be confident that this wonderful dog, we’d all come to know and love, was going to survive.
Within just a few weeks, Hugo gained 7kg. His energy returned, and his playful personality began to shine even brighter. One of his favourite things? A good game of fetch!
Although Hugo still had a way to go towards his ideal weight of 35–40kg, his future was looking brighter.
Hugo was found during a drugs raid on the property where he was being kept
We can't change his past, but your support can change his future
We'll never know exactly what Hugo endured before he was rescued. What we do know is that, without intervention, his illness would have continued untreated, and he would eventually have died from starvation.
Instead, Hugo received veterinary care, nourishment, patience and the chance to recover. The team who cared for him saw him through the uncertainty and never gave up on finding answers.
At NAWT, we see how the right care and support can transform an animal's life. Some arrive needing urgent medical treatment. Others need time to rebuild their confidence, recover from difficult experiences or learn to trust people again.
Every animal's needs are different, but they all deserve the opportunity to have a better future.
And that's where you come in.
Our team were struggling to understand what was making Hugo so ill
Hugo turned a corner and started feeling better in August
Will you help change their future this Christmas?
Our annual Double Donations Week returns from 1st–7th December 2026.
During this special week, every donation made to NAWT will be doubled at no extra cost to you, helping your generosity go twice as far for animals who need us.
Your support helps us provide the veterinary treatment, nutritious food, safe shelter and dedicated care that can make a life-changing difference to animals like Hugo.
We can't undo what happened to him in the past. But together, we helped change his present. And with your support, we can continue giving more animals the chance of a brighter future.
How to donate to Double Donations Week
There are two easy ways to support NAWT during Double Donations Week, from 1–7 December 2026:
- Donate online: Visit Donate | National Animal Welfare Trust to make your donation.
- Donate by phone: Call 020 8950 0177 and select option 1.
Please help us spread the word by sharing Hugo's story with friends, family and fellow animal lovers.
This Christmas, let's give more pets the chance to feel safe, recover and discover what a brighter future can look like.
We can't change their past. We're changing their present. Will you change their future?
Thank you for caring.