Since July, veterans from Erskine’s care homes have been visiting the Scottish SPCA’s Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre weekly, where they spend time with cats and dogs to help the animals build trust and socialise. These visits provide the veterans with joy, routine, and companionship, and have been described as calming and uplifting by participants like Bill Turner, a former Cold War Intelligence officer.

The initiative also includes visits from SPCA dogs to the veterans’ village for those unable to travel, and both charities plan to expand the project in 2026 to involve more veterans. Additionally, a new allotment area is being developed at the Glasgow centre, with planters made by the veterans, allowing them to grow herbs and vegetables to support the care of small animals.