Here’s what you need to know if you’re searching for dog rescues in Essex. The popular saying goes, “adopt – don’t shop,” and we couldn’t agree more, which is why we’ve combined this guide to help you find the best dog rescues in Essex.
With its blend of natural beauty, historical sites, and modern infrastructure, Essex County might be the best place for dog rescues.
The city has green and clean countryside, which makes it ideal for dogs and humans alike. Most importantly, in and around Essex County, good-hearted and kindly people are doing God’s work by rescuing dogs and providing them a home.
By adopting dogs, you allow these loving creatures to grow up in a home that provides them love and care – a chance they may otherwise miss.
Before scrolling down this list of dog rescues in Essex, check out these other recommendations: Best Dog Rescues in Washington and Best Dog Rescues in Hampshire.
Find a Dog Rescue New You in Essex
Without further ado, let’s have a look at the best dog rescues in Essex.
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1. Dogs Trust Basildon
Located in Basildon, Essex, Dogs Trust Basildon has a friendly and caring team that would be happy to unite you with a furry friend for your home.
Dogs Trust Basildon is a registered charity organization dedicated to providing abandoned, abused, and neglected dogs a new, loving home.
The renowned charity organization cares for up to 120 dogs at a time and is equipped with a training barn, in-house veterinary, surgical suite, and a training and rehabilitation subdivision to care for and facilitate the puppies in their care.
Therefore, you can be assured that your future four-legged friend is in safe hands. Dogs currently available at the organization can be viewed by visiting the facility.
However, note that visits to the center are by pre-booked appointments. Moreover, if you are planning to adopt but are unable to find the right dog for you, you can also make an appointment with one of their adoption advisors over a phone call.
They can offer you expert advice and help you find the perfect puppy for your home. So, whether you’re looking for a small dog rescue or a big one, Dogs Trust Basildon is the organization for you.
Dogs Trust Basildon Details
- Website: Dogs Trust Basildon
- Address / Location: Nevendon Road, Wickford, SS12 0FH
- Phone Number: 0303 003 0000
- Twitter: @DT_Essex
- Instagram: @dogstrust_basildon
- Snapchat: @dogstrustbas
- Timings: Monday to Friday – 9 am to 6 pm. Saturday, Sundays & Bank Holidays – 8.30 am to 5 pm
2. A Better Life Dog Rescue
If you’re in the Shoeburyness area of Essex County and are looking to welcome a puppy into your home, Better Life Dog Rescue has your back. This excellent organization helps abandoned, and stray dogs from Romania find a loving home.
Their teams travel to Romania with food and medical supplies to bring neglected dogs living in harsh conditions to the United Kingdom, where they’re united with caring pet parents who provide them with their utmost love and care.
Founded in 2012, the organization has since rescued, and re-home around 1600 dogs – which is what makes them the best pet rescues in Essex.
Note that all of their adoptions start by filling out an application form. Their timings are Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. They are closed on Saturday and Sunday.
A Better Life Dog Rescue Details
- Website: A Better Life Dog Rescue
- Address / Location: 137 Picasso Way, Shoeburyness, Essex SS3 9UY
- Phone Number: 07568 339829
- Twitter: @BetterRescue
- Instagram: @abetterlife.dogrescue
3. Acres Way
One of the best dog rescues in Essex, Acres Way, is a boarding kennel and rescue center with decades of experience. Located in Thundersley, Essex, they rescue and re-home stray dogs in Southend, Rochford, CastlePoint, and Basildon Counsels.
The organization takes the utmost care to provide the dogs in their care with comfort and love. Every dog in the center is given special attention, and they are provided comfortable heated and air-conditioned kennels along with a covered outdoor run.
Therefore, it is safe to say that every dog at Acres Way is comfortable and living its best life. All dogs currently available to adopt are listed on Acres Way. You have to pay an adoption fee of £137 before every adoption.
This fee is spent on food, medical treatment, and other necessities for dogs under the care of Acres Way. Every dog at Acres Way is vaccinated, registered, microchipped, and treated for fleas and worms.
So, you can adapt to your future furry BFF without any worries. You can visit the center by making an appointment; it is open Monday to Sunday – 10 am to 3 pm. Saturday and Sunday are non-working days.
Acres Way Details
- Website: Acres Way
- Address / Location: Acres Way Kennels, Great Burches Road, Thundersley, Essex, SS7 3NE
- Phone Number: 01268 770402
- Email: contact@acresway.co.uk
- Twitter: @acreswaykennels
- Instagram: @acreswaykennels
4. National Animal Welfare Trust
Another excellent option for a dog rescue in Essex is the National Animal Welfare Trust. Established over 50 years ago, the NAWT is one of the leading dog rescue centers in the United Kingdom.
It has two dog rescues in Essex – one based in Clacton and the other in Thurrock. Both branches have cats, dogs, and other animals in their care, waiting to find them their forever homes.
All dogs under the center’s care are vaccinated, microchipped, neutered, and checked by a vet. So, you can adopt your future dog without any worry regarding its health.
Moreover, you will also be provided with four weeks of pet insurance for your furry friend after adoption – NAWT is one of the best dog rescues in the city for its excellent customer service and responsibility.
The re-homing fee at the National Animal Welfare Trust to bring your furry friend home is £200. But it is a small price to pay as you get a companion for life in return.
National Animal Welfare Trust Details
- Website: National Animal Welfare Trust
- Address / Location: NAWT Thurrock, Thurrock, Essex / NAWT Clacton, The Street, Little Clacton, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO16 9LG
- Phone Number: 07905 847286 and 01255 860062
- Twitter: @NAWT_updates
- Instagram: @nawtuk
- Facebook: National Animal Welfare Trust
5. Suffolk & Essex Small Animal Welfare
Last on the list of best dog rescues in Essex is the Leavenheath based SESAW. It is an independent charity organization with over 25 years of service under its belt that looks after sick, injured, and neglected animals, including dogs.
If you’re looking for a big dog rescue in Essex, SESAW can be your number one choice. Although they are not as expansive as NAWT, they have all types of dogs under their care, waiting to be taken into their forever homes.
Most animals at SESAW can be re-homed. However, certain pets, due to age or behavioral problems, may not make suitable pets, and thus, those dogs live at the SESAW foster home permanently.
You can also donate to the charity organization to help them facilitate the animals under their care in a better and more efficient way.
Suffolk & Essex Small Animal Welfare Details
- Website: Suffolk & Essex Small Animals Welfare
- Address / Location: Idano, Stoke Road, Leavenheath, Suffolk, CO6 4PP
- Phone Number: 01787 210 888
- Facebook: SESAW
How to Choose Best Dog Rescues in Essex
You’re itching for a new pet, and you’ve decided to adopt from a shelter instead of going to a breeder to purchase a dog, which is excellent. But with countless rescue shelters near you, how do you pick the best dog rescues? Here are a few tips on choosing the best dog rescues:
Research
First, do your research about the dog breed you want to bring home. Different dog breeds lead different lifestyles and possess different characteristics, which must be considered before you bring them home.
Especially think about the energy levels of the dog and whether or not it matches with your lifestyle. Are you a couch potato? Then you might want to get a Pug, so you have a cuddle partner.
Or are you someone who lives and breathes for a jog first thing in the morning? If so, you might want to welcome a Labrador Retriever home to accompany you on those long jogs.
It is crucial to consider lifestyle; people who don’t ask this question before adoption are the ones that end up returning their dogs to shelters the most.
Read Online Reviews
Secondly, when you visit a rescue shelter, don’t forget to read online reviews beforehand so you’re aware of the rescue’s reputation. It’s best to choose well-reputed and renowned shelters that are also rated well by past clients.
You should avoid unregistered and under-the-table rescue shelters at all costs as they are mostly illegal and treat their dogs poorly. Dogs that are neglected or abused tend to have behavioral or health problems, which may cause you emotional and financial stress.
Choose Registered Rescues
It is also recommended to ensure that the rescue is a registered organization. You can do this by asking the shelter for their registration number. A registered shelter should be your top priority.
Check for Vaccination & Health Insurance
Finally, the right rescue shelters also ensure that the dogs under their care are vaccinated, microchipped, and dewormed. That is a factor you need to look for when choosing the right shelter for your new furry friend. Moreover, any rescue shelter offering benefits such as pet insurance will also make a good choice.
Conclusion For The “Best Dog Rescues in Essex”
Adopting a dog can be an exhausting process, especially if you are adopting a rescue dog. It is not easy to pick a rescue shelter and wait for the process to be completed. However, it is an equally rewarding process.
At the end of it all, you get a four-legged companion who will offer you its affection and loyalty for life. All our furry friends ask from us in return for their loyalty, and friendship is our love and attention.
So, make sure you shower your new pet with all the love you can give. We wish you the best of luck as you start the adoption process for your new furry friend.
For more guides similar to this list of dog rescues in Essex, you can check out:
Before you adopt a dog from a rescue in Essex, you can learn more by watching “How to Prep For a Rescue Dog” down below:
Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
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