Organisations providing welfare advice, support, rescue & rehoming
From healthcare and advice to rescue and rehoming, animal welfare organisations are true heroes of the animal world.
Much animal welfare is provided by charities and a huge debt is owed to volunteers who give their time and expertise to help animals (and their families) in distress. We are hoping our directory of animal welfare organisations will be a useful resource for those in need and people wishing to help and support animals.
Animal welfare organisations and charities are able to purchase from us at special prices and raise money by selling to their membership. If you are a supporter of a group check to see if you can purchase through them to help raise funds. If you represent an organisation who would like to purchase our products at our special charity prices, please contact us.
If you have been helped by, or represent, an animal welfare group who you would like to see included in our directory please let us know.
Each month we aim to shine a spotlight on one of these wonderful organisations and charities to highlight and celebrate the work they do and, hopefully, to gain them some new supporters.
Many Tears Animal Rescue (MTAR) is based in Carmarthenshire, Wales but has dogs in foster homes throughout the UK. They take in and rehome primarily ex-breeding dogs, those on “death row” in the pounds, and those whose owners are no longer able to keep them.
They are a unique rescue in that the majority of their dogs are ex-breeders and many have never seen the outside world before. With the help of their dedicated staff, fosterers, and other volunteers they provide a special and loving environment to help the dogs adapt and find permanent, loving new homes.
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We are a national charity dedicated to rescuing and rehoming beautiful Dobermanns and securing safe, loving forever homes.
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The Shropshire Cat Network is a wonderful community resource for people and their cats!
It evolved out of the 2020 COVID crisis to
Their website is shropshirecatnetwork.co.uk and they have a Facebook group here
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Linked to their pet insurance services, Direct Line have produced an informative piece of research, designed to give guidance on adopting and caring for rescue animals.
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SCAS was established in 1979 to promote the study of human-companion animal interactions and raise awareness of the importance of pets in society. Over the past forty years SCAS has established itself as the leading human-companion animal bond organisation in the UK through providing education, raising awareness, encouraging best practice and influencing the development of policies and practices that support the human-companion animal bond.
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BorrowMyDoggy connects dog owners with trusted local people who would love to look after their dog. We make it easy to arrange walks, playtime, overnight stays or holidays. Our aim is to help dog owners when they need it, give dogs more exercise and playtime and to allow people without a dog to spend quality time with one. We call it a win-win (or a woof-woof) situation for everyone involved.
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Homelessness is a growing problem in the UK and an increasing number of homeless people have dogs. The bond between many homeless people and their dogs is profound and the health and wellbeing of their canine companions is often a major priority for their owners.
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We are a registered charity (number 1114853) that take in, rehabilitate and re-home those cats who come into our care through no fault of their own.
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Discover the many ways we’re making the world a better place for donkeys, from our response to global welfare issues to education, enrichment and Donkey-Assisted Therapy programmes.
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If you run a care home for the elderly, we’ll come and talk to your residents. At the other end of the animal welfare spectrum, we run local neutering campaigns that help shape better futures for North Devon’s cats and dogs. We’ll try to help if you can’t afford vet fees. And, though we’re only a small local charity, we play our part in regional animal welfare issues – such as working with the feral goats in the Valley of the Rocks.
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Ferne Animal Sanctuary is a charity (Charity number 1164350). We receive no government funding and rely on fundraising through grants and donations. We rescue and re-home animals within a forty mile radius of the sanctuary.
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Our dedicated staff and volunteers care for approximately 1000 cats and dogs every year. We are committed to providing the best environment possible for our animals with a superb 11 acre site.
We have 82 kennels and 81 cat pens in total, so we have a lot of animals to care for!
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The Woodside Animal Welfare Trust is an animal rehoming charity (registered charity number 1143122) based on the outskirts of Plymouth in Devon. The foundation of Woodside’s broad field of work was begun in 1974 by Carole Bowles.
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Ashbourne Animal Welfare operates The Ark Rescue and Rehoming Centre for unwanted and stray cats and dogs. We provide TLC as well as any necessary veterinary care prior to adoption, we always neuter and we promote responsible pet ownership. The charity was formed in 1988 and has helped over 8000 animals to date.
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Rushton Dog Rescue is a registered charity (No. 1139999) based in Dorset and Somerset and are committed to saving abandoned and abused dogs on an international scale; with current projects in China (Darkness to Light) and the UK. We create happy families by rehoming thousands of dogs each year, find your new best friend and give them a forever home today!
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Somerset & Dorset Animal Rescue is a non-profitable organisation dedicated to improving the lives of unwanted animals. The rescue is run entirely by non-wage volunteers who juggle their full time jobs with the care of over 60 animals.
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At Margaret Green Animal Rescue we take in pets that have become homeless due to a change in circumstances, or that have been neglected, mistreated or abandoned. Regardless of their circumstance, each pet will find a warm bed, a kind team and all the love and respect they deserve awaiting them at Margaret Green Animal Rescue.
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Stray Aid is a registered charity, Charity No. 1117372, based in Coxhoe, Durham.
Our mission is to rescue, re-unite or re-home the lost, abused, abandoned or unwanted dogs found on the streets in the North East of England.
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Tiggywinkles is the world’s leading wildlife hospital.
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Are you thinking about getting a dog? Would you like to help a dog in need? Chilterns Dog Rescue Society will not only help you try to find the dog of the age, type and temperament to suit your home but will assist with care and training advice to make the dog you choose a real success.
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Wimbledon Greyhound Welfare is an independent charity devoted to caring for retired racing greyhounds and finding them homes. We are self-funding and rely on the kindness and generosity of our supporters and the general public.
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Welcome to Leicester Animal Rescue, We aim to give animals a long term permanent home that they can feel loved and secure in.
We take dogs & cats into the shelter providing they are healthy. If you are interested in Re-homing any of our animals then please view them on our re-homing page
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The Re-homing Animal Telephone Service (RATS) began as a registered charity in 1984 when a small group of dedicated animal lovers in the Bedford area got together and began a service that put those who needed to re-home an animal in touch with those who wished to adopt via the telephone hence the name Rehoming Animal Telephone Service. From that small beginning we are proud to say that the charity has grown into one of the counties leading animal rescue charities.
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Brook Farm Animal Sanctuary mainly rescues farmed animals, though it takes in any animal of any species in need of help.
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Stray cats have often had a very difficult life. They have to survive hunger, harsh weather, pregnancy, disease and injury. Abandoned cats have their whole world turned upside down when they go from a loving home to a shelter. Our aim is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home these cats.
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We first started animal rescue 30 years ago and have been vegans for the same number of years. Our Shelter operates from our home and we handle a mixture of animals numbering 500-600 per year; and we have a no-kill policy at our Shelter unless the quality of life has gone.
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Animals In Need is a voluntary organisation dedicated to rescuing sick, injured, trapped and distressed wild and domestic animals. We provide veterinary treatment where necessary, care for and rehabilitate animals until they can be released or re-homed. Animals In Need was set up in 1990, the aim of the organization is alleviate suffering in animals.
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Feline Cat Rescue is a charity concerned solely with the rescue and re-homing of cats, and has operated in South Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire for over 20 years.
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The aims of the Charity are to relieve suffering and distress, by providing refuge and care to unwanted domestic animals until suitable permanent adoptions can be found.
To provide help and advice to pet and animal owners or their families, who are unable to cope due to a change in their circumstances for example the absence of a family member, disablement or poverty
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We are committed to encouraging through knowledge the integration of wildlife into our countryside and our gardens alongside us in a natural balance. We help to preserve wildlife in its natural environment by talking in schools and reaching the next generation and via worksheets, direct animal contact and talks.
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The Starlight Trust was founded in March 2008 by husband and wife Dave and Sarah Argrave. Both are lifelong animal lovers and Sarah has been involved in animal rescue work since 1993, caring for both wild and domestic animals.
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West Surrey Badger Group operates throughout the Western half of the county.
Activities include:
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SOS dog rescue is run by families from family homes.
We rescue, rehabilitate, and re home dogs throughout the UK.
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Furry Friends Animal Rescue is a home-run rescue located in Mayo, Ireland dealing with various types of animals including dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, terrapins and smaller caged animals. We pride ourselves on being a non-destruct rescue, as well as operating a backup for life policy. We spend a great deal of time helping animals that are in danger of being put to sleep. It is easily forgotten how many animals are in danger of euthanasia simply because there are just not enough good homes and spaces in rescue to cope with the amount of unwanted animals there are, and we do our best to save as many as possible.
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Welcome to the Ark Animal Rescue and Retirement Home website.We are a charity which takes in animals for adoption from private homes, other rescue centres and sometimes via the dog warden. We have mainly dogs and cats but also have rabbits and small furries, including ferrets from time to time as well as occasional other species.Most of our animals live with us whilst they wait to find a loving home but we also have long-term residents who will stay with us for the rest of their lives as they cannot be re-homed for a variety of reasons.
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The sanctuary has re-homed cats and dogs over the years but has always primarily focused on ‘taking in animals with nowhere else to go’ and for this reason many are not suited for re-homing and so need to stay at the sanctuary for life which is why the emphasis is on it being a homely environment.
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In 2004 a group of cat lovers set up a charity which would help the cats locally in whatever way we were able.
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Our mission is simple, to rescue, shelter and rehabilitate as many animals that need our help as we can. We offer safety and care until we can find new families to love them, or they can live out their lives with us in our retirement village if that’s right for them. Our vision is to educate children of today so they become responsible pet owners of the future so fewer animals come to harm in our communities.
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Farm Animal Rescue Sanctuary’s mission is to provide a safe and peaceful environment, where rescued animals can remain for the rest of their lives. Veterinary care and medication is provided as required and all animals in our charge are constantly monitored to ensure their good health and well being. We never implement euthanasia unless it is advised by our vet as a total necessity.
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The Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre formerly the Animal Rescue Group, Wokingham, was founded over 50 years ago. For a large part of that time animals rescued by the Charity were kept at the home of Mrs Brimblecombe, who was awarded the MBE in 2001 for services to Animal Rescue.
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We are West Oxfordshire’s newest rescue organisation caring solely for cats.
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Ardley Rescue Kennels became a registered charity in 2003. Since the rescue started, we have run a nonstop service providing care and support to unwanted, stray or abandoned dogs.
We’ve found forever homes for more than 2000 dogs.. but we don’t plan to stop there!
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Four Paws Cat Rescue (F.P.C.R) covers Oxfordshire and parts of Buckinghamshire in rescuing and re-homing domestic cats and kittens. We also offer advice for cat owners.
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Stokenchurch Dog Rescue was formerly known as The High Wycombe & District Dog Rescue and Welfare Society. It was set up by local residents in 1963 to save the lives of stray, abandoned and unwanted dogs, as well as those impounded by the police. Since then we have successfully re-homed thousands of dogs and are well known for our non-destruct policy.
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The Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary admits & re-homes around 500 animals every year. Since opening in 1967, we have proudly managed to help over 25,000 animals find their forever home.
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After registering as a charity in June 2012, Maria has more ideas on improving this shelter with her trustees and hard working volunteers. The aim is to keep our re-homing project successful and try to help prevent cruelty to animals, educate the public on the proper care of animals, give advice, to try and solve problems in order to keep an animal with its owner.
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We are a Cornish based rescue, re-homing and rehabilitation center who service the whole of Cornwall. We are independent and rely solely on donations to survive and on our team of dedicated volunteers to run the center, fundraise, conduct behavioral support, and advise on any aspect of dogs and dog welfare.
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Oak Tree provides a safe place for all animals in their time of need. We look to re-home dogs, cats, and equines and work to support good, long-term healthy relationships between animals and their owners out in the community.
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We always have many animals that are desperately in need of loving homes, most of which you can find right here on the website. If you are not able to offer a home, you can still help by sponsoring any of the cats and dogs or feral cats who we are unable to home but who still need our care.
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Catcuddles is a registered charity that is all about promoting and strengthening the feline-human bond and helping pair up unwanted cats with loving forever homes and humans. The charity receives no funding from state or grants. Our sustainability and success as a charity are entirely based on the goodwill of our donors, continuous interest of key supporters and the selfless dedication, hard work and passion of the volunteer team.
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We are a small team of passionate animal lovers who work with several local council authorities to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome the many abandoned dogs that come in everyday. We also take in dogs from members of the public who can no longer look after them.
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All of the Guinea Pigs that come to us stay for a minimum of 4 weeks, so that we are able to get them health checked by our Vet and allow them to settle to be able to show their different piggy personalities! This is so that they can get used to being held by adults and children as well as also being around other animals. This is important to find them a perfect piggy home or a new companion.
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All our animals have a full care plan, daily paperwork for cleaning, health checks, food and water.
In addition, we have regular visits from our veterinary team to check on the health of every animal in our care.
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Established in 1976, Hounslow Animal Welfare Society rescues and rehomes hundreds of abandoned cats and other domestic animals each year. Follow this link to our animals currently looking for homes.
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Founded around 20 years ago, Holbrook Animal Rescue was set up to help with the neutering, veterinary care and feeding of stray and abandoned dogs and cats. We take in many different types of animals and they all come from different backgrounds. We try find good homes for them all – where possible – and often keep the old and sick ones as our own animals.
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The aim of the sanctuary is to find homes for any waifs and strays or otherwise unwanted dogs, making sure they are properly cared for in the meantime.
The policy of the sanctuary is never to put a clinically healthy dog down, which means we sometimes have a few long term “stayers” until the right owner comes along.
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We have been at Hollyview for 18 years and have always rescued animals but as we have been asked to help more and more animals we made the decision to register as a non profit making charity.
We have at the moment 144 animals in our care but this number can grow on a weekly basis we never know what the next phone call will bring! We work closely with other charities and will always try our best to accommodate an animal in need.
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Labrador Rescue Kent and Borders is a Registered Charity (No.1067495) formed in 1997 which aims to recover, rehabilitate and re-home any Labrador Retriever in the County of Kent and its borders that has been ill-treated, neglected or whose owners can no longer keep it.
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Established in 1991 as a specialist Wildlife Information Bureau and Fox Deterrence Consultancy, it has incorporated a Wildlife Hospital since 1993 which, today, admits and treats around 800 foxes per year, including 250 cubs.
The Fox Project appears regularly on TV, radio and other media, both in the UK and internationally and has received awards from the RSPCA, International Fund for Animal Welfare, media and TV.
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We are dedicated to rescuing horses, ponies and donkeys that have been neglected, abused or are unwanted, sometimes simply because they are no longer rideable. We currently have more than 200 animals in our care and our aim is to provide a safe, comfortable environment for them at our 100-acre farm, near Uckfield in Sussex.
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We have been operating for 22 years; rescuing, neutering and re-homing around 250 cats every year. Home visits are carried out, and all rescue cats are neutered, micro-chipped and treated against fleas and worms before adoption. We also offer micro-chipping, and assisted funding for neutering depending on circumstances. Please call the shelter to make an appointment before visiting cats needing homes. We can assist in matching you and your family to suitable cats.
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Situated in the Broadwater Forest near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, Folly Wildlife Rescue Trust is a charity dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of injured, orphaned and distressed wild animals and birds throughout West Kent, East Sussex and the surrounding region.
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We are a non-profit making charity re-homing or providing permanent refuge for abused, abandoned and unwanted animals.
We operate a no destruction policy.
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At the KWT we rescue and re-home unwanted animals, mainly cats and dogs, and have a wildlife rehabilitation programme and emergency help line.
The Trust’s Rescue Centre is also home to horses, donkeys, cats, goats, birds and small mammals where, in the interest of their welfare, they remain in our care.
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East Sussex WRAS was established as a voluntary group in 1996, but some of its rescuers have been rescuing since 1985. The organisation was set up in order to provide a front-line rescue service for wildlife casualties who unlike their domesticated cousins, do not have owners to help look after them.
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We are a family run shelter and rescue for abused, abandoned and neglected Guinea Pigs based in Chelmsford, Essex.
BlackBerry Patch is a not for profit organisation with an open door policy to all unwanted Guinea Pigs. The rescue also helps with guinea pigs that have special needs ranging from poor health to behavioral problems. These are nursed back to health and when fit are then put up to be re-homed.
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Animals in Distress was founded in 1967 to alleviate the suffering of sick and injured animals. This is still the main aim today. It is achieved through a number of methods. These include 24-hour rescue, veterinary treatment, neutering and a micro-chipping scheme. Education, advice programmes and work experience placements back up these practical steps.
This work involves strays, abandoned animals, cruelty cases and road traffic accidents and with the new Retirement Home we are able to offer long term care to older animals.
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Cavy Haven is a guinea pig rescue center based in Winsford, Cheshire which has been run by Irene Jamieson for nearly 26 years. With 40 years experience in guinea pig care, Cavy Haven takes in unwanted and abandoned guinea pigs and re-homes them into loving homes. We can also house your guinea pig while you are away on holiday, for a small donation.
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We are Michael and Oksana from Helicopter Ears, where with many wonderful supporters we’ve been rescuing special-needs rabbits since 2011. You’ve fundraised incredible amounts, and together, we’ve made miracles for rabbits who had no hope.
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We are a small completely self-funded rabbit and guinea pig rescue based in Bristol (formerly The Littlest Rescue). The main rescue centre is in Staplehill, with smaller foster homes around Bristol. We mainly rescue rabbits and guinea pigs but also occassionally take in other small furries. We run a small boarding service which helps a little with our costs but any donations would be greatly received, particularly towards our neutering program.
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Every year 33,000 rabbits are handed into rescues centres and many more are rehomed privately. Rabbit Rehome was set up in 2002 with the goal of helping to find homes for these unwanted rabbits. Rabbit Rehome is based around an internet website which includes a database of over 600 rabbits available for adoption, a list of rescue centres, special appeals, information on volunteering, printable posters and guides to rabbit care.
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At MCDH our mission is very clear! We promise to:
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Horses4Homes aims to safely and efficiently rehome, loan or share horses via its robust and innovative state of the art online listing and application process. Horses4Homes has helped many horses and owners across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales since it was founded in 2011. No system is entirely fail safe but with owners being honest about the horse’s health, behaviour and temperament and those wishing to take on horses being honest about their capabilities as a rider and keeper the risk of incompatibility is much reduced.
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The UK’s Largest Horse Sanctuary
Redwings is the UK’s largest horse sanctuary, responsible for over 2,000 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, and funded solely by donations from kind supporters like you!
We strive to provide and promote the care and protection of all horses and donkeys by offering a place of safety to those in need, rehoming those with the potential for a fulfilling life outside the Sanctuary, and educating owners and future generations about the value of horse welfare.
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We help around 200,000 cats and kittens every year thanks in no small part to our network of over 250 volunteer-run branches and 36 centres.
These include the charity’s flagship adoption centre in Chelwood Gate, Sussex where our administrative offices can also be found.
Cats Protection is governed by a Board of Trustees which, in turn, is advised on its decisions by an Advisory Council of appointed representatives of the charity’s membership.
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In 1952 Miss Raymonde-Hawkins established Raystede as an animal charity.
She made a pledge to provide facilities that were equal to or better than existing animal rescue centres. In the early days the charity was based in her cottage and back garden.
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Cheltenham Animal Shelter is a charity that has been helping animals since 1926. We rescue and re-home unwanted and abandoned stray cats, dogs and small animals from across Gloucestershire.
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Supporting rehoming charities throughout the UK.
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Based in Ferring, Worthing, Wadars is a leading animal welfare charity and has been rescuing wildlife and rehoming companion animals since 1969.
We believe that animals enrich our lives: we also know that they cannot speak for themselves and need protection. Last year Wadars rescued more than 1700 injured, orphaned and at risk birds and wildlife, and rehomed over 400 cats, dogs and other companion animals.
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From humble beginnings in 1924 Wood Green, The Animals Charity has grown to become one of the leading animal welfare organisations in the UK.
We take in animals of all shapes and sizes! As well as cats and dogs, we find loving new homes for thousands of chickens, rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, goats, sheep, ferrets and more!
We think owning an animal is one of the most rewarding things you can do and we are here to offer help and support to both people and their pets. There are lots of ways you can help, like rehoming an animal, volunteering your time, making a donation or visiting one of our Centres.
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Mayhew is an animal welfare charity working to improve life for dogs, cats and the people in our community – at our home in London and internationally.
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BVA is the national representative body for the veterinary profession in the UK
We guide our members throughout their careers, from student to retirement, with the support and knowledge they need to achieve their goals, and speak up for them on the issues that matter most.
We are the only UK veterinary association that looks after the interests of all vets in all disciplines. Our members are at the heart of everything we do, and with the power of more than 17,000 members behind us, we’re able to provide a voice to represent members and services to support them.
We are a not-for-profit organisation so any money that we make is reinvested to serve the veterinary profession.
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Battersea is here for every dog and cat, and has been since 1860. We believe that every dog and cat deserves the best. That’s why we help every dog and cat in need – whether it’s newly born or getting on, cute or cute in its own way. Find out more about our work and how we take care for over 7,000 animals every year.
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Our mission is to bring about the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.
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Love UnderDogs was set up by animal lovers who wanted to make the world a better place by helping and supporting some of the most unwanted, abused, neglected and voiceless dogs.
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National Animal Welfare Trust is one of the UK’s top animal welfare charities operating six rehoming centres across the south of England in Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Cornwall, Essex, Hertfordshire and Somerset.
Whether you already own a pet or are looking for a new companion we’re there to help.
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We were founded in a London coffee shop in 1824. The men present knew they were creating the world’s first animal welfare charity, but they couldn’t have imagined the size and shape that the charity would become today.
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Promoting the study of human-companion animal interactions and raising awareness of the importance of pets in society.
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Greyhound rehoming in Lincolnshire and surrounding areas. Now with kennels in Oxfordshire and Epping.
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The Rescue and Homing Centre for Greyhounds in Wales.
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Blue Cross is a registered animal welfare charity in the United Kingdom, founded in 1897 as Our Dumb Friends League. Pets are at the heart of everything we do. Each year, thousands of cats, dogs, small pets and horses turn to our animal hospitals, clinics and rehoming services for treatment and to find them the happy homes they deserve. Meanwhile, our Education and Behaviour Teams prepare future pet owners to take responsibility and look after their pets for life.
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ProDogs Direct rescue and re-home unwanted dogs in England and place them in foster care rather than kennels. They operate a non-destruction policy. If you are looking to re-home a dog please consider this great organisation and take a look at the lovely dogs they have in their care.
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The only specialist national charity for people in their last years and their much loved, much needed companion animals.
A network of 15,000 volunteers “hold hands” with owners to provide vital loving care for their pets. We keep them together – for example, we’ll walk a dog every day for a housebound owner, we’ll foster pets when owners need hospital care, we’ll fetch the cat food, or even clean out the bird cage, etc.
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