One of the North East’s most dedicated animal welfare champions is celebrating an incredible milestone this month, as Marie Simpson marks 40 years of service with Mrs Murray’s Home for Stray Dogs and Cats in Aberdeen.
Marie joined the charity in June 1986 as a Kennel Maid, having left school on the Friday and started work at the Home the following Monday. It wasn’t the career she had imagined – “I wanted to work in a record shop,” she laughs – but it quickly became a lifelong vocation. Forty years on, she is General Manager, having devoted her entire working life to improving the lives of animals across the North East.
Transforming animal welfare in Aberdeen
During her four decades at Mrs Murray’s, Marie has witnessed profound changes in animal welfare, rescue and rehoming. When she first joined the charity, many animals were routinely put to sleep simply because there were not enough homes available. Today, the focus is firmly on rehabilitation, rehoming and giving animals a genuine second chance.
Marie and her colleagues were among the first in Aberdeen to introduce vaccinations and microchipping within a rescue environment, helping to drive standards forward long before legislation changed. Continuous improvement has always been central to her approach. When she started, only ten kennels were used for dogs looking for homes, with the rest reserved for strays and boarding. Now, there are around 30 kennels dedicated to rehoming, and Marie is helping to lead The Big Build – an ambitious fundraising campaign to create modern, purpose-built facilities for future generations of rescue dogs and cats.
Giving animals others had given up on a chance
Looking back on her career, Marie says some of her proudest moments have come from helping animals that others might once have given up on. One such case was Miley, a six-week-old stray Cocker Spaniel puppy who arrived at Mrs Murray’s in 2018 suffering from Swimmer Syndrome, a developmental condition that affects a puppy’s ability to stand and walk properly.
Despite being told her outlook was poor, Marie and the team were determined to give Miley every chance. Marie fostered her at home, taught herself rehabilitation techniques, encouraged the puppy to build strength by swimming in the bath, and even built a cardboard walking frame to help her learn to walk. Today, Miley is eight years old and living happily with her forever family.
“Mrs Murray’s is not a sad place,” Marie said. “It’s a joyful place, full of hope, love, and amazing stories. Whether it’s a rescued puppy learning to walk, a nervous stray finding confidence, or a much-loved pet getting a second chance, helping these animals is what has kept me coming back every day for 40 years.”
Sanctuary for the most vulnerable animals
Under Marie’s leadership, the Home has also introduced long-term sanctuary care for animals whose medical or behavioural needs make rehoming impossible. Among them was Max, a much-loved long-term resident who recently became the face of the charity’s Big Build fundraising campaign, but who sadly passed away in May.
The Home has cared for numerous long-term resident cats over the years too, continually adapting its approach to ensure animals with complex needs can enjoy a safe, happy and comfortable life for as long as they remain in its care. This commitment to lifelong welfare reflects the ethos Marie has helped to instil throughout the organisation: that every animal deserves a chance, regardless of their circumstances.
A legacy of compassion and leadership
Chairman Alan Grant believes Marie’s contribution to Mrs Murray’s cannot be overstated. “Forty years of service is an extraordinary achievement, but what makes Marie’s contribution truly special is the belief she has instilled throughout the charity that every animal deserves a chance,” he said.
“Mrs Murray’s is full of wonderful memories, and Marie has played a part in so many of them. She has devoted her working life to improving the lives of animals across the North East, and it is impossible to measure the impact she has had on the thousands of dogs and cats that have come through our doors during that time.
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“We are incredibly fortunate to have her leading the Home, and even more fortunate that she continues to bring the same energy, compassion and determination to the role today as she did 40 years ago.”
For Marie, however, the biggest achievement has never been about reaching a milestone. “Mrs Murray’s isn’t just a job, it’s part of my life,” she said. “I’m lucky to have an incredible team around me who are as passionate as I am, and we support each other to do the very best for the animals in our care.”
While the exact number may never be known, one thing is certain: few people have touched the lives of more rescue animals in the North East than Marie Simpson. And after 40 years, her passion for helping them – and the people who care for them – shows no sign of slowing down.
