Laura Bremner:All4Paws

For Laura Bremner, a fourth-year veterinary student at the University of Edinburgh, helping animals isn’t just a future career — it’s a personal mission. Between lectures, clinical work, and research projects, Laura still finds time to serve on the committee of All4Paws, a small but growing grassroots service for the pets of the homeless and vulnerably housed in and around Edinburgh.

Originally from Edinburgh, Laura lives at home while she studies, allowing her to stay close to both her family and the cause she cares so deeply about. She first got involved with All4Paws after learning more about the challenges the organisation faces behind the scenes.

“I know about the good work that it does, and I also know how small it is,” she says. “It’s sort of almost kind of fragile… it’s really like a grassroots charity and it’s just slowly becoming more official.”

That sense of vulnerability and potential was what inspired Laura to take on her first big fundraising challenge: the Edinburgh Kiltwalk. She heard about the event while doing veterinary work experience, where a fellow vet mentioned they were taking part.

“I looked at the website and thought, ‘Oh, I could do that,’” Laura recalls. “The idea of running a marathon seemed quite challenging for me, but the Kiltwalk — I can give that a shot.”

Having completed the Duke of Edinburgh Award in the past, Laura already had experience dealing with long distances and the occasional blister. But nothing quite prepared her for the Big Stroll, a 14.5-mile trek through the city.

“I did get blisters halfway through — I didn’t expect that!” she laughs. “I brought blister plasters, but I didn’t prepare so much for that part.”

Despite the sore feet, the walk was a success, and Laura has already set her sights on a bigger challenge next year: “I think next year I’ll try the Mighty Stride — and maybe tape my feet up beforehand to avoid the blisters!”

Making Every Step Count

The funds Laura raised through the Kiltwalk go directly toward the essential supplies All4Paws needs to provide care for animals with health issues.

“What’s costing us at the moment is mainly the day-to-day things like food and drugs,” she explains. “We use a specialist type of food called hypoallergenic — it’s made so the proteins are broken down so small that the body can’t recognise them and have an allergic reaction.”

This kind of food is crucial for many of the dogs All4Paws takes in, especially those suffering from skin allergies. But at around £80 a bag — and with a high turnover — it’s a constant expense. On top of that, there are ongoing costs for painkillers, vaccines, and other medications.

“When we do a surgery, it can cost thousands of pounds,” Laura says. “They’re rare, it’s the everyday care — the food, the medicine — that really adds up.”

Beyond the Kiltwalk

Laura’s fundraising journey doesn’t end with one event. She’s now helping to organise All4Paws upcoming “Hallow-Week of Giving” — a Halloween-themed week of activity in the last week of October.

“We’ll accept donations of toys, coats, cat toys, balls — all sorts of things,” she explains. “There’ll also be a raffle with prizes, and on the final day, a bake sale on Thursday 16 October where people can donate money or items to get a baked good.”

Balancing veterinary studies and charity work isn’t easy, but Laura is committed to doing more. Whether it’s through another Kiltwalk, a bake sale, or simply raising awareness, her focus remains clear: helping animals get the care they deserve.

“You want to help all these animals,” she says. “But medicine costs money — and every little bit of fundraising makes a difference.”

Support Laura’s Journey
You can still support Laura’s fundraising efforts via her JustGiving page.

Every donation helps All4Paws provide the food, medicine, and love these animals need to heal and thrive.

All4Paws

All4Paws is the University of Edinburgh free outreach service for the pets of the homeless and vulnerably housed in and around Edinburgh. The service is run on a voluntary basis by students and staff of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and is only able to continue providing much needed services with support from people like you.

Easyfundraising

You can raise free donations for All4Paws when you shop online at www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/all4paws

Amazon

You can buy something from the All4Paws Amazon Wishlist here. The address will appear as 'All4Paws Clinic' (Roslin, Midlothian) and delivered to All4Paws via the vet school.
 

Donate

You can make a one-off gift or set-up a regular donation to All4PAws at https://donate.ed.ac.uk/support/clnicoforhomelessdog

Thank you for your support of All4Paws.