Paws Off Duty: fundraising calendar that supports retired police dogs

15 December 2025

The highly anticipated 2026 Paws Off Duty charity calendar is more than just a collection of striking photographs - it’s a lifeline for the retired police dogs of North Wales. 

Now in its 11th year, the calendar has become a cherished annual tradition, raising vital funds to support the ongoing welfare, veterinary care, and retirement needs of the dogs who have served the community with loyalty and courage.

Paws Off Duty was launched by Jackie Edwards, 54, a serving police dog handler with North Wales Police, who, after 23 years in the Force, and nearly two decades working with dogs, still describes it as ‘the best job in the world’.

Her journey began the way many passions do - with persistence. “I always badgered my mum for a dog when I was younger,” she said, adding: “She finally gave in when I was 11.” 

 

Police Dog-in-training, Menai

A collie became her first companion, and the spark was lit. As an adult, Jackie owned her first German Shepherd, and that relationship only strengthened her desire to work with dogs professionally.

At 30, seeking a career change and determined to follow her lifelong goal, she joined the police. 

“Becoming a dog handler is tough. It’s a highly competitive process, both physically and mentally demanding,” she continued.

“But that was always my goal. Working with dogs is a role like no other in the police. It’s you and the dog. You trust them unequivocally. You’re a team.”

Handlers

That bond goes beyond the workplace - they live at home with their handlers. 

“They’re not ‘just animals’,” said Jackie, adding: “They’re colleagues. They’re part of your family. They stay with you until they retire.

"In fact, they stay with you beyond that, into their golden years, unless they’re re-homed, with a new loving, forever family.”

Today, Jackie works with Vega, her three-year-old Belgian Malinois. She’s had him since he was 12 weeks old and has trained him from scratch to become a highly skilled general-purpose police dog. He tracks offenders, locates missing people, works in public order situations, and identifies scents from discarded belongings. 

 

Jackie and Police Dog Vega

“These breeds amaze me,” she says. “They’re so intelligent, quick to learn, agile, elite dogs, really.”

Alongside Vega, Jackie is raising Menai, an 11-week-old Fox Red Labrador, who is just beginning her playful puppy training. 

“It’s all fun, kibble and tennis balls at this stage,” she explained. “We want confident dogs. Nothing should phase them.”

But alongside the joy of training police dogs, Jackie also witnessed a reality most people don’t see - what happens when these extraordinary animals retire.

Police dog

Her first police dog, Trader, a Belgian Malinois, worked with her for over three years before she was assigned a second dog, Barney, a springer spaniel. She kept both until the end of their careers. 

Trader was due to retire at seven, but a spinal disc issue - an injury sustained while bravely apprehending an offender - meant he retired early at six and a half.

What shocked Jackie most was discovering that once a police dog retires, all official funding stops. “I didn’t realise it at all,” she recalled. “Trader was my responsibility. Of course, I kept him, but the vet bills were significant.”

Trader lived until just after 11, and it was during his retirement that Jackie realised a support gap existed. That’s when she founded Paws Off Duty, a charity dedicated to supporting the welfare and vet care of retired North Wales Police dogs.

The charity’s earliest fundraising idea quickly became its biggest success: a calendar.

In 2015, with the help of social media and the enthusiasm of local pet chain Pet Place, the first calendar sold around 1,000 copies. 

Pet charity

“Pet Place approached us saying they’d always wanted to support a pet charity,” Jackie said. 

“That was massive. They sold the calendars in store and have continued supporting us ever since.”

More than a decade later, the calendar remains the charity’s flagship fundraiser, and the 2026 edition is one of its strongest yet. 

This year’s design, created voluntarily by PC Conway, features glossy A3 double-sided pages, bilingual content, and stunning images from local photographer ‘Fur Real Shots’, who also offered their work entirely free. 

Priced at £9.99 in Pet Place stores or online (plus postage), every penny raised supports retired police dogs, whether that is for routine treatments to life-saving surgeries, and even end-of-life care when needed. 

Retired dogs

“This financial year alone, we’ve granted more than £7,500 to support retired dogs,” Jackie said. “Vet bills can be such a burden. Being able to help makes a huge difference.”

The charity also assists with rehoming when a dog can’t stay with its handler, ensuring every dog finds a loving home. 

Jackie explained: “Some owners don’t need us, but others really do. It’s lovely to give something back to the dogs who’ve given so much.”

Buy your 2026 Paws Off Duty calendar online from Pet Place.

READ MORE IN THE LATEST MAGAZINE: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/bb846b5954.html