Dog Rescue Centres

There are hundreds of dog rescue centres all over the country, the largest being Dogs Trust, and who hasn't heard of Battersea Dogs Home?, so why spend hundreds of pounds on buying a pedigree dog when you could open your home (and your heart) to a homeless (even homeless pedigree) dog? There are rescue centres for particular breeds of dog all over the UK, so if you are looking for a particular breed, contact the Kennel Club on 0870 6066750 who will be able to help you.

To increase the chances of finding your dog should the worst happen, always have it micro-chipped so that it can be traced back to you. It is also a legal requirement for every dog to wear a collar with its owner's name and address inscribed on the collar or tag attached to it when out in a public place. Should the dog wander off and be found in a public place not wearing a collar, then it may be seized by the police and treated as a stray. In such a situation, the owner - and any person in charge of the dog permitting him to be in a public place without a collar - will both be guilty of an offence and may be prosecuted and fined.

If your dog does stray, you should immediately contact your local dog warden (through the Environmental Health Department at your local council) and the local police station. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 allows for your dog to be seized and sold or destroyed if unclaimed after a seven day period.

Below is a list of just some of the dog rescue centres all over the UK.

Mutts in Distress is an animal shelter located at Normandale Kennels, in Little Hallingbury on the Herts/Essex border.

We rescue dogs from local pounds that would otherwise be destroyed, and offer them for rehoming. We do not take unwanted dogs from members of the public.

Please note that we only re-home dogs in the Harlow, Bishops Stortford, Saffron Walden, Haverhill, Cheshunt, Hitchin, Stevenage, Broxbourne, Ware, Epping, Cambridge, Baldock, Royston, Sudbury, Peterborough, Romford and Clacton regions.

We insist on making home checks before rehoming a dog, and it is difficult if you live further away. We also like to do follow up checks to ensure that the dog is happily settled in its new home. To view the dogs, please call at the centre between 11am-12.00am Mon to Sat.(not on bank holidays) but please note that you must have passed your home check before viewing. If the re-homing does not work out, the dog MUST be returned to us, however far away you may live. For more information click here

Wanderers Haven Animal Sanctuary

Wanderers Haven Animal Sanctuary was founded in 1961 by Mrs Geraldine Wagstaff. It is now run by her daughter, Frankie in Cranham, Essex.

Every day, unwanted animals are brought into the sanctuary where they are looked after until a new, caring home can be found for them.

For those animals who cannot be rehomed for various reasons, Wanderers Haven is their permanent residence. These animals can be sponsored, and your money goes towards their ongoing care.

Wanderers Haven also takes in animals for boarding while their owners are unable to care for them for a certain period of time, whether it is short or long term. We operate a 24-hour emergency service. For more information click here

Great Dane Rescue

Sue & Lissi have been owners of Great Danes for over 40 years. They have been rescuing and rehoming Great Danes throughout the UK since 1969.

Daneline uses 'foster' homes instead of kennels while we find good homes for the dogs. The 'foster parents' provide local help and advice throughout the adoption as well as providing a vital link in the aftercare service.

Daneline offers a 24 HOUR HELPLINE for support and information after rehoming.

Daneline's policy is to collect or take in any Dane requiring a new home within 24 hours of the initial phone call. Daneline will not exclude any dog regardless of age, health, temperament or behavioural problem. These dogs are then assessed and put into appropriate foster homes that will meet the Danes' individual needs. For more information click here

Kent

Chancepixies Re-homing - our aims are:

To protect dogs from unnecessary destruction, distress and abandonment by providing shelter, treatment and the seeking of new homes.

To promote kindness and responsible ownership through the education and training of dogs and humans alike, through all aspects and levels of canine welfare.

To campaign for the promotion and encouragement of responsible breeding in this country and by doing so, helping resolve the stray and rescue problem at source.

Chancepixies Rehoming, Gravel Lane, West Hougham, Dover, Kent, CT15 7AG. REHOMING - 01304 201382. For our website click here

To adopt a dog in Kent, contact Foal Farm Animal Rescue Centre, Jail Lane, Biggin Hill, Kent TN16 3AX

Telephone: 01959 572386

Email: info@foalfarm.org.uk

Please visit us at the farm.
We are open 1.30pm - 4.30pm every day except Tuesday

To see what dogs are currently looking for new homes with loving owners click here

Many Tears Rescue Centre - S. Wales

Many Tears Animal Rescue (MTAR) is a small rescue based in South Wales but has dogs in foster homes throughout the UK. We take in and rehome primarily ex-breeding dogs who are no longer required; those on "death row" in the pounds and those whose owners are no longer able to keep them. MTAR also has a small cattery which enables us to take a small number of cats.

With the help of our staff and volunteers we provide a special and loving environment to help all our animals adapt and find permanent, loving new homes.

All our dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, micro chipped, inoculated, and wormed and our dogs are also kennel cough vaccinated.

All potential adopters are interviewed and homes vetted.

To read more about the wonderful work this rescue centre does click here