Vet nurse remembers 60 dogs killed in Manchester Dogs’ Home fire as she calls for higher first aid standards for pet professionals
A veterinary nurse who helped give emergency treatment on the night of the devastating Manchester Dogs’ Home fire has returned to remember the 60 dogs who lost their lives.
Rachel Bean visited the memorial at the Home with her dog Chilli, 12 years after the blaze broke out on 11 September 2014.
Rachel was among those providing emergency first aid on the night of the tragedy and said she would never forget what she witnessed.
She said: “Although 12 years have now passed, the sense of loss remains deeply felt by everyone connected with the Home.
“I work at Manchester Dogs’ Home, so this is a place and a cause which mean an enormous amount to me.
“Visiting the memorial with Chilli was an opportunity to reflect, not only on the dogs who died, but also on the extraordinary response from the local community.”
Members of the public rushed to the scene alongside emergency services, staff and volunteers, helping to rescue more than 150 dogs from the fire.
Rachel said: “The compassion shown in the aftermath demonstrated just how much animals matter to people and what can be achieved when a community comes together.”
Manchester Dogs’ Home continues to care for dogs who have nowhere else to turn, providing them with food, shelter, veterinary treatment and the opportunity to find loving new homes.
Like rescue organisations across the country, it depends on public donations to continue its work.
Rachel’s volunteering at the Home is closely connected to her professional work as a veterinary nurse and canine first aid tutor.
She travels across the country teaching an Ofqual-regulated canine first aid qualification and was instrumental in creating the first Ofqual-recognised canine first aid qualifications for pet professionals.
Rachel is now calling for higher first aid standards across the pet care industry, particularly among professional dog groomers.
She said: “Whether I am working with rescue dogs, teaching pet professionals or speaking at an event, my message is always the same: knowing what to do in an emergency can save a dog’s life.
“There is a significant difference between attending a short, unregulated awareness session and completing a recognised qualification which requires learners to demonstrate their knowledge and practical abilities.”
Dog groomers and other pet professionals are responsible for animals in an unfamiliar environment, often while using electrical equipment and sharp tools.
They may suddenly face emergencies including burns, cuts, seizures, choking, collapse or heat-related illness. An appointment can also reveal a previously undiagnosed health condition.
Pet professionals regularly handle dogs of different breeds, ages, sizes and temperaments, including elderly or anxious animals, brachycephalic breeds and dogs living with existing medical conditions.
Rachel said being able to recognise the early warning signs of distress and respond calmly could make all the difference.
She added: “First aid training is not about replacing a veterinary surgeon. It is about protecting the dog, preventing the situation from becoming worse and providing appropriate support until veterinary help is available.”
Rachel has also been announced as a speaker at Pet Pro Expo 2026, where she will share her expertise with other professionals from across the pet care industry.
She said: “Events like this provide a valuable opportunity for us to learn from one another and continue raising standards throughout the animal care industry.
“For me, remembering the dogs lost in the Manchester Dogs’ Home fire also reinforces why preparation, knowledge and compassion matter so much.
“We cannot always prevent an emergency, but we can make sure we are ready to respond.”
Donations to Manchester Dogs’ Home can be made at: https://www.dogshome.net/donate/
