Meet Sam & Ledley

Meet the Owner

Every month we talk to one of our favourite dog owners about their four-legged friend/s and ask for their top dog friendly recommendations – places to stay, places to eat and places to go. Today, we’re joined by Sam Warburton and his seriously cute dog, Ledley. While many of you may know Sam from his days as an international rugby union player, it’s his unrelenting support for his local rescue centre that caught our eye. We hope you enjoy finding out a little bit more about this awesome duo.

What difference does having a dog make to your life?

It’s another integral member to the family. He makes us enjoy the outdoors, and always having a warm welcome when you come through the door never gets old. Also, there is less room on the bed!

We know that you’re a keen supporter of Cardiff dogs home, The Rescue Hotel. Can you tell us a little bit about what they do and how you first became involved with them?

They are my local rescue centre in Cardiff where I live. The kennels are in desperate need of upgrading and even with the hundreds of voluntary dog walkers, the dogs can spend up to 23 hours a day in their kennels, which at the moment can be a stressful environment. I think it’s unfair that dogs are bought naively and given up on so I want them to have a place where they can happily wait to meet their forever family with the trainers, care, shelter, food and veterinary services they need.

The Rescue Hotel is currently on a mission to raise money to refurbish the kennels. How can people help or get involved?

If you follow The Rescue Hotel on twitter and Instagram, there are lots of fun fundraising events you can attend and find out about – or simply donate. So far, we have raised £130,000 and we have even opened up our own veterinary surgery for the dogs and the public at much cheaper rates. Fundraising is going really well but we still need a fair bit more to hit our target.

Do you like to travel with your dog?

Love to! He has been to West Wales, Mid Wales, Cotswolds and Cornwall to name a few. We regularly go to West Wales as we prefer to holiday as a whole family than leave him at home. He loves a coastal path and the beach.

City, coast or countryside. Any preference?

We are lucky that Pembrokeshire in West Wales has both countryside and the coast so Ledley is in his element there.

Favourite dog friendly place to stay?

We stay at both of our parents’ caravans (one in the Gower and the other in Pembrokeshire) so we are very lucky to have those on tap.

Favourite dog friendly place to eat?

We struggle to take him anywhere to eat because he can bark at the most random dog for no apparent reason much to my wife’s humiliation. Fish and chips outside will have to do!

Favourite dog friendly place to go?

We love Pembrokeshire because there’s so many beaches that dogs can access all year round and so many acres of fields for them to run around in. Newgale beach is one of the most scenic beaches for dog walks.