The Duchess of Cornwall Visits Wellington SPCA

Her royal titles include the Duchess of Rothesay, The Countess of Chester and the more familiar The Duchess of Cornwall. In her private life, however, Her Royal Highness also proudly holds the title of devoted pet parent to rescue dogs. During a special stop on a royal tour of New Zealand her four-pawed pals both past and present were in her thoughts as she paid a visit to the dogs and cats at Wellington SPCA.

Having chosen the option of pet adoption when she welcomed her current canine companions Beth and Bluebell into her life, the Rover-loving royal was happy to meet some of the center’s dogs who are hoping to find a family to love, such as Arthur, a three-legged mixed breed dog who helped to demonstrate the facility’s dog wash; Jonah, one of a litter of pups who was rescued from a glass recycling bin; and Baxter, one of the adorable adoptables who comprised the dog guard of honor which greeted the Duchess upon her arrival.

A fan of felines who helped Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London celebrate the grand opening of the center’s state-of-the-art cattery in 2010, the Duchess also visited some of the cats in Wellington SPCA’s care.

Her Royal Highness has been a life-long friend of Fidos, and she is presently a patron of Medical Detection Dogs and Animal Care Trust.

Leaving behind a leaf on the facility’s Tree of Remembrance in honor of her late four-legged friend Freddie, the Duchess of Cornwall left the Wellington SPCA with a dog coat for one of her fur babies at home, presented by the staff at the center to commemorate the occasion.

Established in 1884, the Wellington SPCA is one of 48 SPCAs in New Zealand.

Photo Credit: Yahoo News New Zealand; Getty Images