Many outstanding small dog rescue centers in the UK provide a safe and loving environment for abandoned dogs. These centers work hard to find new homes so they can have a second chance at life. This article will discuss the most reputable dog rescues in the United Kingdom, along with their services and contact details.
However, before considering dog rescues, you must analyze whether your home is suitable for a rescue dog. Most rescued dogs have suffered traumas and negligence. Some of them have been abuse victims, which may have led to social or separation anxieties.
Moreover, some may need special medical attention as they may be old, suffering from genetic disabilities, or have chronic illnesses. Therefore, make sure you’re ready to handle a rescue dog with its emotional imbalances and physical requirements.
Choosing a rescue center becomes more crucial here because a good rescue center assesses dogs for temperament and puts them up for adoption only when they’re ready. Let’s have a look at some of the most trusted small dog rescue centers in the UK.
Before you read this list of small dog rescues in the UK, check out: 10 Best Pomeranian Rescues in the UK! (2023) and 6 Best Goldendoodle Rescue Centers in the UK! (2023).
1. Mayhew, For Dogs, Cats & Communities
Mayhew is an animal welfare charity for dogs and cats. They’re based in London and have been rescuing and rehoming dogs within and outside the UK for many years.
Besides the adoption service, Mayhew provides free and low-cost veterinary services. It also educates people about dog care, the importance of rescuing dogs, and responsible ownership.
Generous donations from the public entirely fund this organization. It costs nearly £6,000 daily to run Mayhew, where they home and care for almost 30 dogs at a time. They also provide these dogs with neutering or spaying, microchipping, deworming, and vaccinations.
Mayhew assesses each dog for behavioral and health issues before they’re rehomed to find the perfect match. An average of £1,000 is spent on each dog at Mayhew, and the rehoming fee they take from you includes all these health treatments and a starter pack.
You will also have to register and pay for training lessons with your dog separately.
The adoption process from Mayhew is simple; first, you go to their website and see all the dogs available for rehoming. Once you find the dog of your choice, fill out the online application form.
Their team will assess your application to see if they have a dog that fits your desired pet image and then conduct a virtual interview. Before adoption, the team will arrange for you to meet the dog in person; you will then pay a rehoming fee of £160 to reserve the dog.
The team will conduct a home visit to meet other house members and ensure that it’s a suitable place for a pet dog. Finally, when the team approves you, you can come and collect the dog at an arranged time.
Mayhew, For Dogs, Cats & Communities Details:
- Location: Trenmar Gardens, London, United Kingdom
- Phone Number: 020-8962-8000
- Email: info@mayhewanimalhome.org
- Website: Mayhew, For Dogs, Cats & Communities
- Social Media: Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Twitter
2. Battersea
Next on our list of reputable puppy rescue centers in the UK is Battersea, a registered charitable organization which takes in every animal in need. Run by charity and donations, Battersea has several devoted volunteers and foster homes who help provide ultimate love, care, and attention to abandoned and neglected dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens.
Battersea helps people make informed choices when adopting a rescue dog; they have numerous articles on their website for novice dog owners. They also provide training and campaign for dogs’ welfare.
Each dog gets medical treatment and great care before being listed for adoption. Moreover, the rescue carefully assesses each dog to ensure they find the perfect new home.
The process of applying for a dog is convenient. First, you register your interest by providing details regarding your living circumstances, preference, and other essential data and email the form to them. Then, the rescue staff considers your application and finds the most suitable match.
Once a dog has been matched, a Battersea team member will contact you, give you further details, and then arrange a visit to meet the potential dog.
The rehoming fee for dogs over six months is £175; for a pair of dogs, it is £320; and for puppies, it’s £250. It includes a complete veterinary check by a certified vet, behavioral assessment, initial vaccinations, microchipping, and other essentials like a collar, ID tag and lead.
Most dogs are spayed or neutered or come with an appointment for you to get it done once they come of age. The dogs come with a four-week free Pet Plan insurance covering new illnesses or accidents.
The rescue center also provides lifetime client support and offers help with training the dogs as needed. They also have an owner surrender program and take any dog in need without hesitance.
Battersea Details:
- Location: Battersea, London, United Kingdom
- Phone Number: 800-001-4444
- Email: info@battersea.org.uk
- Website: BATTERSEA
- Social Media: Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Twitter / TikTok
3. The Dogs Trust
Next on our list of small dog rescue centers in the UK is The Dogs Trust. It is one of the largest animal welfare charities in the UK, with 21 rehoming centers across the country, including one specifically for small dogs.
The Dogs Trust takes in all small dogs, from Chihuahuas to Jack Russell Terriers, and works to find them loving homes. Since 1891, it has provided a better outlook for abandoned and neglected dogs.
The rescue takes matchmaking seriously; it believes a dog is for life and thoroughly checks each application to find a perfect, loving home.
These dogs come to the rescue through various sources, such as local authorities, found as strays, or dropped in by owners who can no longer care for them. It works to provide a positive environment to each dog in their care and prepare them for a happy future in their new home.
The Dogs Trust offers individual help for each dog with the assistance of their passionate volunteers, who make tailored plans for them. It helps them play, relax, socialize, train, and rehabilitate.
Some special dogs need more care and time to build trust, confidence, and skills that help them become adoptable. The volunteers at The Dogs Trust help them with interactive activities and training sessions.
All dogs receive healthcare access through experienced and certified veterinarians. It includes regular preventive care, health checks, vaccines, anti-parasite treatment, dental care, minor surgery if needed, neutering or spaying, management and planning for ongoing health conditions, caring for pregnant dogs, and assistance with whelping.
Each team of volunteers has nurses and vets to help the process go as smoothly as possible and closely monitor the dogs for any health or behavior issues.
The adoption process is as simple as registering online, getting a callback, and arranging a visit to take home your dog. You will then sign adoption papers, watch training videos, and pay an adoption fee of £205 and the Dog School Classes fee of £55.
Your dog will come with a Dog Trust collar and lead, four weeks of free pet insurance, and a starter pack. There will also be a handbook guide, microchip information, and ample food. Before pickup, the dog will be fully checked with up-to-date vaccinations and treatments, spayed or neutered, and microchipped.
The Dogs Trust Details:
- Location: 17 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7RQ
- Phone Number: 020-7837-0006
- Email: info@dogstrust.org.uk
- Website: The Dogs Trust
- Social Media: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
4. Bristol Animal Rescue Center
Bristol Animal Rescue Center has existed since 1887, rescuing, caring for, and rehoming the city’s pets and wildlife ever since. It rescues nearly 14,000 abandoned and neglected animals annually and has many small rescue dogs in their center.
Bristol Animal Rescue Center is one of the largest animal charities in the UK and is affiliated with the RSPCA. It works for the benefit of the community and relies on donations from the public.
This rescue has a specific eligibility criterion for adoption. The potential owner should have a fully secure and private garden, and if they have rental accommodation, then they’ll need a letter of permission.
The dog is to be supervised for up to four hours a day, and if other dogs live in the house, then they need to meet the new dog with the staff members present. All other pets at home must be fully vaccinated, and everyone in the home should be okay with the new dog.
The adoption fee for each dog is £200, and it helps cover a variety of facilities provided to the dog while they live with the rescue center. It is only a part of expenses made on vet check-ups, flea and worm treatment, microchipping, neutering or spaying, and vaccination of the dogs.
A lot of money goes into taking care of the dogs, including their food, living expenses, and any additional medical surgery they need. The rescue center is grateful for all donations made.
Bristol Animal Rescue Center Details:
- Location: 50 Albert Rd St Philips, Bristol, BS2 0XW
- Phone Number: 011-7977-6043
- Email: info@bristolarc.org.uk
- Website: Bristol Animal Rescue Center
- Social Media: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
5. National Animal Welfare Trust
Last on our list of small dog rescue centers in the UK is the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT). It is a rescue charity with five different rehoming centers dedicated to pets of all kinds and three other charity locations in the south of England.
It aims to provide a forever home to pets who have been abandoned, neglected or abused and need a permanent home. The rescue center is managed by over 200 active volunteers passionate about animals.
The process of applying for the adoption of a dog at NAWT is straightforward. You will see all the available dogs on their website and apply by clicking “register your interest.” It will lead you to a form which requires more details.
After submission, you will get a call back from a team member when they have found the perfect match for you. They will also arrange a visit for you to meet the chosen pet and check its veterinary history.
On the other hand, if you’re an owner who wants to give up their beloved pet, National Animal Welfare Trust happily takes them in. They will not charge a fee for the pet, but you can donate to help them out.
The rescue center charges a small rehoming fee of £220 for each dog. This loyal companion will come completely vet-checked, medically up to date with their treatments and vaccinations, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and also dewormed.
The rescue center will also provide free insurance for their first four weeks. In addition, you will get support and customer services from the National Animal Welfare Trust.
National Animal Welfare Trust Details:
- Location: Tylers Way, Bushey, United Kingdom
- Phone Number: 020-8950-0177
- Email: watford@nawt.org.uk
- Website: National Animal Welfare Trust
- Social Media: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
The UK has more than a thousand animal rescue centers, many of which work with dogs.
You can expect to pay £160 to £320 for a rescue dog in the UK. Prices vary based on the dog’s age.
Typically, dogs are not free at shelters in the UK. The shelter or rescue will need to recoup some of the veterinary costs such as spaying, neutering, deworming, and microchipping.
Conclusion for “The Best Small Dog Rescue Centers in the UK”
To sum up, we have discussed several small dog rescue centers in the UK. The UK is home to many dogs of all breeds and sizes, so we hope you find the perfect match for your family soon and bring home a little bundle of joy to light up your life.
For guides similar to this list of small dog rescues in the UK, check out:
- 5 Best Small Hypoallergenic Breeds! (2023)
- 8 Small Dogs That Don’t Shed! (2023)
- 7 Small Non-Shedding Dog Breeds! (2023)
Learn more by watching “15 Things Dogs Love the Most” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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