If you are thinking of adopting a new pet…
Patience is the key.
The process can be long and overwhelming.
Dog rescues need to be trusted and proven.
So how do you find the best one?
Read on and…
Discover:
- The steps on how you can adopt your own dog.
- All the services offered by each rescue organization.
- Important information about their requirements and processes.
- The 13 best dog rescues in the South East of England according to actual people.
- And much, much more…
Table of contents
- 13 best dog rescues in the South East of England
- #1 Etta’s Place Rescue and Sanctuary
- #2: Dogs Walk This Way
- #3: Doris Banham Dog Rescue
- #4: Starfish Dog Rescue
- #5: German Shepherd Rescue South
- #6: Foal Farm Animal Rescue Centre
- #7: Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare
- #8: Holbrook Animal Rescue
- #9: Animal Samaritans
- #10: St. Francis Animal Rescue
- #11: Dogs Trust Canterbury
- #12: Last Chance Animal Rescue
- #13: Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary
All the information on this list is based on thorough research from Google Maps.
Local Guides have given their reviews and ratings on these places. Their opinions are based on experience. This will give you a better understanding of each place listed below.
I have compiled all the necessary information below since individual research can take a lot of time. The goal is for you to see all the relevant places in one list.
Disclaimer: All the gathered information during the writing of this article is based on actual reviews and ratings. But bear in mind that changes can be made to these ratings without prior notice.
13 best dog rescues in the South East of England
#1 Etta’s Place Rescue and Sanctuary
Rating: 5
Reviews: 6
Website: ettasplacerescue.com
Address: Stanford Rd, Faringdon SN7 8ET, United Kingdom
Phone: N/A
Opening Hours: N/A
Social Media:
Services
Adoption
Etta’s place requires interested adopters to fill out a pre-adoption form.
This needs to be completed before proceeding to an evaluation.
Adoption requirements and pre-adoption assessment form here.
#2: Dogs Walk This Way
Rating: 5
Reviews: 4
Website: dogswalkthiswayrescue.com
Address: 3 Albert Road., Bagshot, GU19 5QL, England
Phone: +44 7713 802349
Opening Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Social Media:
Services
Volunteering
DWTWR is always in need of extra hands to help out in their shelter.
This includes dog walking, fundraising, fostering, home-checking, and more.
Volunteer application form here.
Adoption
Adoption services are all done through virtual appointments. An adoption form is needed before staff can schedule your shelter visit.
The shelter also requires the whole household (including pets!) to be present during the shelter visit.
Adoption application form here.
#3: Doris Banham Dog Rescue
Rating: 4.9
Reviews: 24
Website: dorisbanhamdogrescue.org
Address: Wells Lane Cottage, Wells Lane, Cottam, Nr Retford, DN22 0EZ
Phone: +447984143253
Opening Hours: N/A
Social Media:
Services
Adoption
Adoption visits are scheduled by the staff once you have seen an animal of your interest.
Available dogs are on their website and contain the necessary information and description.
Fostering
Potential fosters are evaluated by staff before final application.
The shelter also requires home checks and visits.
Adoption and foster application here.
Reading recommendation: 17 Critical Tips To Take Care Of A Rescue Dog (Guide)
#4: Starfish Dog Rescue
Starfish dog rescue has no physical shelter. Instead, they have foster homes and individuals caring for their animals.
Rating: 4.7
Reviews: 57
Website: starfishdogrescue.co.uk
Address: The Birches, The Frith, Brownshill, Bussage, Stroud GL6 8AD, United Kingdom
Phone: +447980934164
Opening Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Social Media:
Services
Rescues
The shelter rescues animals that are abused, neglected, or have an injury due to accidents.
These animals are then rehabilitated and evaluated before they can be put up for adoption.
Rehoming
Starfish dog rescue takes in unwanted and neglected dogs for rehoming.
These dogs are either placed with a foster or with a new family immediately.
#5: German Shepherd Rescue South
Rating: 4.7
Reviews: 53
Website: https://www.german-shepherd-rescue-hampshire.org.uk/
Address: 48 Edward Grove, Portchester, Fareham PO16 8JA, United Kingdom
Phone: +442392221485
Opening Hours:
- 4:30 am- 12 am (Every day)
Social Media:
Services
Adoption
Potential adopters are required to fill in an adoption application before evaluation.
A member of the administration team will contact approved adopters before they can see their chosen animal.
Adoption application here.
Fostering
The shelter offers a chance of fostering their dogs in a loving temporary home.
All expenses regarding the animal will be covered by the shelter.
Rehoming
The shelter requires all medical history and vaccination forms to be submitted.
These are reviewed before a dog is approved for rehoming.
Rehoming fill-up form here.
#6: Foal Farm Animal Rescue Centre
Rating: 4.6
Reviews: 524
Website: foalfarm.org.uk
Address: Jail Ln, Biggin Hill TN16 3AX, United Kingdom
Phone: +441959572386
Opening Hours:
- 1:30 pm- 4:30 pm (Every day except Tuesday)
Social Media:
Services
Adoption
All animals receive the following services before adoption:
- Deworming.
- Vaccination.
- Microchipping.
- Spay or neuter.
Adoption fees are based on the animal and their age.
Volunteering
the shelter accepts volunteers who can help with the following:
- Dog walking.
- Maintenance.
- Animal helper.
- Home checkers.
- Traffic coordinator.
- Sorting donated goods.
- Fundraising event support.
- General cleaning and mucking.
#7: Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare
Rating: 4.5
Reviews: 217
Website: raystede.org
Address: The Broyle, Ringmer, East Sussex, BN8 5AJ England
Phone: +44 1825 840252
Opening Hours:
- 10 am – 4 pm (Every day)
Social Media:
Services
Adoption
The Raystede centre has a lot of pets and wildlife up for adoption.
Each one has requirements every potential adopter needs to read and review.
These need to be understood before they decide to adopt.
Raystede’s requirements and care guide for dogs here.
Surrendering
Before further action, the shelter requires people to fill up the “Request to give up an animal” form.
Once the animal is accepted, the staff will interview the owner for more information.
Sponsoring an animal
You may choose your preferred animal to sponsor on the shelter website.
Then you can commit to your desired time length and amount after choosing.
#8: Holbrook Animal Rescue
Rating: 4.5
Reviews: 113
Website: holbrookanimalrescue.com
Address: Old Holbrook, Horsham RH12 4TW, United Kingdom
Phone: +441403248745
Opening Hours:
- 10:30 am- 4:30 pm (Every day)
Social Media:
Services
Sanctuary and Rehabilitation
The shelter offers rehabilitation and assessment to animals that need it.
Animals on rehabilitation cannot be put out for adoption yet.
They also have a sanctuary where they house all kinds of animals with health or behavioral issues.
Volunteering
The shelter currently has 2 available volunteer positions. These are:
- Volunteer Fundraising assistant application here.
- Volunteer Administration assistant application here.
Adoption
Adoption is done by online appointment through their website only.
Potentially adoptable dogs are also listed on their website.
Note: The shelter does not accept phone calls at the moment.
You might also want to check out: 13 Mistakes When Adopting A Rescue Dog (Guide)
#9: Animal Samaritans
Rating: 4.5
Reviews: 39
Website: animalsamaritans.org.uk
Address: Welling DA16 2WS, United Kingdom
Phone: +442083031859
Opening Hours: N/A
Social Media:
Services
Rescue and Rehoming
All dogs rescued by the shelter staff are either placed in fosters or in a new forever home.
Interested adopters can contact them through their website.
Pet bereavement line
Animal Samaritans offer a place where owners can grieve, get advice, or talk about their loss in a non-judgemental environment.
For more information call: 0203 745 9859
#10: St. Francis Animal Rescue
Rating: 4.5
Reviews: 11
Website: stfrancisanimalrescue.co.uk
Address: 266 Stanhope Rd, South Shields NE33 4TA, United Kingdom
Phone: +441914202736
Opening Hours: N/A
Social Media:
Services
Volunteering
Volunteer opportunities of the shelter are as follows:
- Fostering.
- Fundraising.
- Working in the shelter.
Lost and Found
Animals on their lost and found list are on their website.
Contact the shelter directly if you see an animal you know or if you have lost an animal.
#11: Dogs Trust Canterbury
Rating: 4.5
Reviews: 376
Website: dogstrust.uk.org
Address: Radfall Rd, Whitstable CT5 3ER, United Kingdom
Phone: +441227792505
Opening Hours: N/A
Social Media:
Services
Volunteering
Volunteer opportunities are available on the shelter website.
Fostering
The shelter has two kinds of fostering programs:
- Project freedom fostering.
- Home from home fostering.
Project freedom fostering is for the pets of domestic abuse victims. The pets are cared for until the victim can reunite with them again.
Home from home fostering is for animals with special needs and requirements or young puppies.
#12: Last Chance Animal Rescue
Rating: 4.4
Reviews: 323
Website: lastchanceanimalrescue.co.uk
Address: Hartfield Rd, Edenbridge TN8 5NH, United Kingdom
Phone: +441732865530
Opening Hours: N/A
Social Media: N/A
Services
Adoption
Visits and walk-ins to the shelter are welcome.
The shelter requires meet and greets, home visits, and home checks to potential adopters.
Adoption application form here.
Volunteering
Volunteer opportunities at the shelter are currently closed due to COVID restrictions.
You might also be interested in: Adopting A Rescue Dog: The First 7 Days [Checklist]
#13: Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary
Rating: 4
Reviews: 1
Website: oxfordshireanimalsanctuary.co.uk
Address: 36 South Parade, Oxford, OX2 7JN, England
Phone: +44 1865 510082
Opening Hours:
Social Media:
Services
Adoption
Animals are available to view on their website. Adopters need to choose an animal before further steps can be taken.
Shelter staff will then conduct interviews, home checks, and evaluations for all members of the household.
Volunteering
The shelter needs dog walkers, fundraising events, charity shop volunteers, and more!