A retired police dog stole the show at the official opening of a new pet store in East Kilbride. Accompanied by a St Andrew’s Day piper, Corrie, an Alsatian who served for six years with Police Scotland until retirement, bit through a string of sausages to declare the Jollyes store at Kingsgate Retail Park officially open on Saturday, November 30. Corrie, who was assisted by South Lanarkshire Provost Margaret Cooper, is supported in her retirement by the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals, Jollyes charity partner.
The fast-growing pet retailer now has over 100 stores across the UK. Jollyes’ new East Kilbride store aims to be the best value pet store in town, joining other Scottish stores in Perth, Stirling, Glenrothes, Hermiston Gate (Edinburgh), Port Glasgow, and Clydebank. East Kilbride is one of three stores opening over a fortnight, along with others in Leyland, Lancashire, and Newport Road, Cardiff.
Pet parents in East Kilbride will have access to Jollyes’ raw food frozen ‘shop-in-shop’ and, later this year, community pet clinics at each location will offer unbeatable prices for essential vet services such as microchipping and vaccinations.
Corrie’s special appearance at the store opening highlights the importance of retired service animals and the support they receive from organisations like the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals. It’s heartwarming to see a beloved police dog enjoying retirement and helping to mark the beginning of a new chapter for Jollyes in East Kilbride.
The partnership between Corrie, Jollyes, and the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals showcases the strong bond between animals and their human companions, even after their working days are over. It’s a reminder of the dedication and service these animals provide to the community and the recognition they deserve in their well-deserved retirement.