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11 Best Dog Rescues In Essex (Updated 2023 Guide)

Best Dog Rescues In Essex

There’s a question that’s been bugging you…

“What’s the most reliable dog rescue in Essex?”

And to answer that, you have to search so much…

But you’re eager to adopt, foster, or donate.

So, let me cut you some slack and give you the best options on a simple list.

Continue reading to discover:

  • 11 best dog rescues in Essex.
  • Ways you can help each organization.
  • The contact details of each dog rescue shelter.
  • And many more…

My recommendations are formed through locals’ honest opinions.

I researched each shelter using Google maps.

There, people with first-hand experience rate the shelters. 

Such a task takes time.  Plus, it can feel a little overwhelming to be greeted with too much information.

And so, I came up with this simple list that you can depend on.

Disclaimer: The ratings and reviews may be subject to change. But they’re accurate on the day of writing this article.


11 best dog rescues in Essex


#1: Dogs Trust Basildon

Dogs Trust is not just number 1 on this list…

It’s actually the leading dog rescue across the UK.

Having been of service since 1891, they’ve gone through a lot of milestones.

Today, 21 centers of them stand to serve the community.

And as for the leading branch in Essex, you can find it in Basildon.

Rating: 4.4

Reviews: 330

Contact details

Website: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/our-centres/essex/

Address: Nevendon Rd, Wickford SS12 0FH, United Kingdom (Google maps)

Phone: 0303 003 0000

Opening hours

Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday: 12 NN to 4 PM

Social media presence

Services

Adopt from them

This shelter cares for hundreds of dogs each year.

With that, their list of adoptables gets updated regularly. So, if you’re thinking of rehoming one, visit the page frequently.

Wanna be familiar with the process first? Well, I’ve got you. Just go to this page to find out how to rehome from Dogs Trust.

Guided tours

Do you wanna see how Dogs Trust operates?

Sure, you can pay them a visit and enjoy a few minutes with the rescues.

But, a tour will give you more of an insight. You’ll find out what goes on in the shelter every day.

To book a tour, contact them through:

Phone: 07436 162276

Email: samantha.davis@dogstrust.org.uk 

Support their cause

Volunteer

If you’re interested in being a volunteer, see their vacancies first.

Foster

The Essex center can hold up to 120 dogs in their shelter.

So, why do they still need foster parents?

You see, some canines are special cases.

With that, they’ll do better in a home environment.

The kennels might be too suppressing for them. And so, they’d feel more stressed.

Moreover, a foster can better attend to the rescue’s specific needs.

Learn more about it here.

Sponsorship

Unfortunately, you can’t adopt or foster a pooch.

So, how else can you help a specific rescue?

You can help one out by becoming a sponsor.

Donate

Dogs Trust wouldn’t have gone this far if it weren’t for people’s kindness.

Continue to support them and their cause by donating. Here are their donation details.

#2: RSPCA Danaher Animal Home

The next one that I recommend is a branch of RSPCA.

First of all, RSPCA has over 150 branches in England.

Moreover, they’re strongly against animal cruelty. 

That’s why they set up a hotline that’s dedicated to stopping it.

Save this number on your phone and call it when you see an animal in distress: 0300 1234 999.

Here’s what you need to know about their fight against animal cruelty.

As for their leading branch on Essex, it’s none other than their Danaher Animal Home.

Rating: 4.5

Reviews: 208

Contact details

Website: https://danaheranimalhome.org.uk/ 

Address: THORLEY FARM, Hedingham Rd, Wethersfield, Braintree CM7 4EP, United Kingdom (Google maps)

Phone: 0300 111 4321

Email: reception@danaheranimalhome.org.uk 

Opening hours

They’re open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, except Wednesdays.

Services

Adopt

Take a look at these canines that are eager to be rehomed.

If you wanna meet them in person, book a visiting appointment. You can do so by giving them a call.

And if you’re set on one rescue, here’s what you should know about their adoption process.

How to help

Volunteer

You’re a certified canine lover. But because of circumstances, you can’t take care of one.

Well, how ’bout volunteering for the rescues?

See what role you can best contribute to on this link. And if you’re decided, here’s the application form.

Make a donation

Visit this page to know how to make a donation.

Charity shops

Did you know? Their charity shops generate half of their needed money per year.

They function best because of their stores.

So, you can donate your preloved items to them.

Or, you can also buy their merchandise.

All proceeds will be for the welfare of their rescues.

#3: Wallace Kennels

Rating: 4.0

Reviews: 155

Contact details

Website: https://www.wallacekennels.com/ 

Address: Clapgate, Chivers Rd, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood CM15 0LH, United Kingdom (Google maps)

Phone: 01277 821032 or 07891 884701

Email: wkrescue@btinternet.com 

Also, follow their Facebook page.

Opening hours

Weekdays: 9:30 AM to 2 PM

Weekends: 9:30 AM to 12 NN

Services

Adopt

You can scroll down their homepage to see dogs up for adoption.

If one captures your heart, submit this application form.

How to help

Volunteer

To be a volunteer, just simply send them an email.

Donate

Make a donation by clicking the ‘Please Donate’ button on their home page. It’ll direct you to their PayPal account.

#4: Acres Way

Rating: 4.6

Reviews: 128

Contact details

Website: http://www.acresway.co.uk/ 

Address: Great Burches Rd, Benfleet SS7 3NE, United Kingdom (Google maps)

Phone: 01268 770402

Email: contact@acresway.co.uk 

Opening hours

They’re open every day from 10 AM to 3 PM.

Services

Adopt

Eager to rehome a pooch?

Choose one from this list of adoptables.

And if you need more information, just go here.

Microchipping

What’s a microchip? It’s an electronic chip that has a unique number.

Then, it’s implanted beneath your dog’s skin. Despite that, it can still be read by a scanner. When it’s read, necessary contact info about your pooch will show.

Now, you can get such a service from Acres Way. They offer microchipping services for £15.

Read more about it here.

Boarding

They also have boarding services for dogs of all sizes. Their prices range from £10 to £13. Learn more about it on this page.

How to help

Volunteer

Give them a call to start your volunteering journey with them.

#5: Clarks Farm Greyhound Rescue

Clarks Farm Greyhound Rescue

Rating: 4.9

Reviews: 119

Contact details

Website: http://www.clarksfarmgreyhounds.org.uk/ 

Address: Wash Ln, Maldon CM9 8LX, United Kingdom (Google maps)

Phone: 01621 788315

Email: clarksfarmevents@gmail.com 

Give their Facebook page a follow.

Opening hours

Their doors are open every day from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Services

Adopt

See their Greyhounds up for rehoming on this page.

Click the profile of a canine to start your adoption process.

How to help

Go to this page to see the many ways you can lend a helping hand. There, you’ll see every detail.

But, I collected most of the essential details for you.

Sponsor their resident canines

What are resident rescues?

They’re the ones who can’t cope with life outside the shelter anymore.

With that, the shelter takes them in as a resident instead. Then, those canines stay in the shelter for as long as they can.

It’ll only cost £8 a month to sponsor one. If you wanna do it for a year, you’ll save up a little as it’ll cost £100.

Sponsor a kennel

How ’bout sponsoring a canine who’s waiting to be adopted?

This time, you’ll need £5 to sponsor a rescue per month. Or you can pay one-off for £60 and support the pooch for a year.

Donate

Please go to the first link I mentioned in this section. There, you’ll find their donation details via PayPal.

You can also call them for further information.

Shop for them

This shelter is in constant need of supplies. So, lighten their load a little by buying something off of their Amazon wishlist.

#6: National Animal Welfare Trust – Clacton

Rating: 4.8

Reviews: 111

Contact details

Website: http://www.nawt.org.uk/ 

Address: The St, Little Clacton, Clacton-on-Sea CO16 9LG, United Kingdom (Google maps)

Phone: 01255 860062

Opening hours

They’re open 7 days a week from 11 AM to 3 PM.

Social media presence

Services

Adopt

Check out their wonderful rescues here. Each of ’em is eager to be home to a loving family.

Click on a rescue’s profile to start your rehoming journey.

If you wanna learn more, here’s their page for FAQs.

How to get involved

Volunteer

Be one of the reasons why this welfare charity strives. Read about how to become a volunteer.

#7: RSPCA Stort Valley Branch

Yet another high-rated RSPCA branch around Essex.

Rating: 4.5

Reviews: 98

Contact details

Website: http://www.rspcastortvalley.org.uk/ 

Address: 23 The Stow, Harlow CM20 3AN, United Kingdom (Google maps)

Phone: 01279 306058

Email: clinic@rspcastortvalley.org.uk 

Opening hours

Monday to Thursday: 10 AM to 3:30

Services

Adopt

Adoption fee: £155 to £195

Visit this page to see the dogs that are ready to be adopted.

Kindly visit the said page regularly. That’s because they update it constantly, depending on if there’s a canine rescue.

As for the adoption information, click here.

How to help

Find out how you can donate and support this RSPCA branch on this page.

Shop

They have a charity shop that generates their funds for the rescue.

Here’s the address of the nearest shop to this branch.

For Mondays to Saturdays, it’s open from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. As for Sundays, you’re welcome to visit them from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Volunteer

Read on how to become a volunteer.

You can also contact them through:

Email: volunteer@rspcastortvalley.org.uk 

#8: Mutts In Distress

Rating: 4.5

Reviews: 84

Contact details

Website: http://mutts-in-distress.org.uk/ 

Address: Normandale Boarding Kennels & Cattery, New Barn Ln, Little Hallingbury, Bishop’s Stortford CM22 7PR, United Kingdom (Google maps)

Phone: 01255 677074

To send them a message, submit this contact form.

Moreover, you can join their Facebook group as well.

Opening hours

Catch them open 7 days a week from 11 AM to 12 PM.

Services

Adopt

Here are their mutts that are ready for their forever home.

And to know more about their rehoming procedure, go to this link.

They also advertise other rescues from different shelters. If you wanna check those other dogs, just click here.

How to help

On their home page alone, you’ll see the button for donation. Clicking that will lead you to a secure webpage and pay via the desired method.

#9: Heathlands Animal Sanctuary

Rating: 4.2

Reviews: 78

Contact details

Website: http://www.heathlands.org.uk/ 

Phone: 01763 244488

Phone operating hours

Their lines are open every day from 12 PM to 4 PM.

Services

Adopt

This adoption procedures guideline has every information you’ll need.

As for the dogs up for adoption, see them here.

Support them

Go to this page for the many ways to help their rescue shelter.

Foster

Join their foster system by giving them a call. If you’re still unsure, maybe reading about it will help you decide. Visit this page to do so.

Donate

Heathlands rely on the generosity of their supports. If you wanna make a donation, visit this page to find out how.

#10: Wanderers Haven Animal Sanctuary

Rating: 4.5

Reviews: 72

Contact details

Address: Brookmans Park Drive, Front Lane, Cranham, Upminster RM14 1LW, United Kingdom (Google maps)

Phone: +44 7763 646257

Email: wanderershaven@aol.co.uk 

Their Facebook page acts like their main website. So, give them a follow by clicking here.

Phone operating hours

Contact them from 9 AM to 6 PM.

How to get updated

As I said, their website is their Facebook page as well.

With that, you can follow them for updates.

They regularly post their rescues on that page. 

And they do so in a friendly and playful manner. They do so in a way that’s guaranteed to make you appreciate the rescues’ cuteness.

Moreover, you can easily send them a private message if you have any inquiries.

#11: Dobermann Rescue Ltd.

Rating: 4.6

Reviews: 30

Contact details

Website: http://dobermann-rescue.co.uk/ 

Address: Cranfield Park Rd, Wickford SS12 9LG, United Kingdom (Google maps)

Phone: 01268 733353

Email: ann@dobermann-rescue.org.uk 

Follow their Facebook page to get updates from them. 

Opening hours

Mondays to Sundays: 9 AM to 5 PM

Services

Adopt

First, make sure that you’re indeed ready to adopt a pooch. You can do so by reading this adoption checklist they prepared.

And once you’re decided, see their many canines that are up for adoption here.

After that, submit an adoption application.

Ways to support them

Find out how you can help their Dobies on this page.