Adopting a dog is an exciting experience for both you and your family.

With many people clamouring for designer breeds that will be the next big thing on their socials, many dogs are left in overcrowded kennels and shelters where they are at risk of destruction.

Dare to be different and adopt a rescue.

The Duchess of Sussex, as patron of the Mayhew Dog Rescue Centre in London listed below, is an advocate for adoption and encourages everyone to adopt a pooch.

Visit any of the dog rescue centres in London below to find out how you can help rescue a dog and get a loving forever companion.

Remember to clearly communicate your needs to the team at the rescue centre to increase your chances of getting matched with the right pooch.

1.) Pro Dogs Direct

Pro Dogs Direct works across the UK rescuing unwanted and neglected dogs and helping unite them with their new forever parents.

This dog rescue that started its operations under the Pro Dogs national animal welfare charity has successfully rehomed over 10,000 dogs since its inception.

The facility in London operates under a strict non-destruction policy which ensures all rescues live a long happy life.

Pro Dogs Direct also takes in dogs and puppies that would be considered ‘problem animals’ by other kennels and turned away.

This dog rescue centre is also invested in the emotional well-being of all its rescues.

Dogs who have been abused, experienced violence, or carried trauma from breeding farms are put under comprehensive medical care to help with recovery.

The dogs also receive lots of love and attention from the volunteers at the facility which helps them overcome and adapt to loving surroundings.

If you would like to adopt a pooch from Pro Dogs Direct, visit their adoption page to see all the available dogs.

Each dog has a fixed adoption donation that covers the cost of vaccination, medical care, microchipping, and neutering.

You can also support this facility through volunteering, fundraising, or donating.

Rescue and Adoption Details

• Address: Pro Dogs Direct, 4 Cole Avenue, Aldershot, Hampshire. GU11 1AN
• Contact: 07766 021 465 / 01322 403 494
• Website: https://prodogsdirect.org.uk/
• Social Media: Facebook

2.) Dogs Trust

Each year, over 14,000 dogs pass through Dogs Trust on the way to their forever homes.

The facility is recognised as one of the largest dog rescues in the UK and is dedicated to saving all abused, neglected, and abandoned dogs brought to the facility.

Founded in 1891, Dogs Trust has served the people and dogs of London for over a century.

Since opening its doors, the dog rescue has expanded to house over 150 dogs at a time in over 70 kennels.

While Dogs Trust receives no direct funding from the government, the facility has continued to grow with the support of generous well-wishers, fundraising, and donations.

All funds raised are put towards the welfare of the dogs at the facility and promoting responsible pet ownership to prevent stray and abandoned pets in future.

Dogs Trust offers all its rescues professional veterinary care when necessary and behavioural modification training to help them settle in with their new forever families.

If you would like to adopt a pooch from this facility, the facility welcomes you to browse through their adoption page.

Once you have found a dog you love, fill out an online form and wait for your appointment.

The facility also offers post-adoption services to ensure you and your dog are a perfect match.

Rescue and Adoption Details

• Address: 17 Wakley Street, London, EC1V 7RQ
• Phone: 020 7837 0006
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/
• Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

3.) All Dogs Matter

At this dog rescue centre, all dogs truly matter.

This registered charity founded in 2019 helps rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome stray and abandoned dogs in London and neighbouring areas.

The rescue centre is focused on helping all dogs in need find and settle with loving forever families.

All Dogs Matter partners with both individuals and organisations in and around London including local council authorities, dog trainers, foster carers, and veterinarians.

If you are no longer able to care for your beloved pooch, this facility will help you find them a new home.

Most rescues brought to All Dogs Matter are housed with foster families for assessment before rehoming.

Foster care ensures the dog is well adjusted to daily routines in their new forever home.

If you would like to adopt a dog from this rescue, visit their rehoming page and fill out the rehoming questionnaire.

The standard adoption donation is £200-£250 with international dogs going up to £750 which covers travel costs.

All dogs are vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped before rehoming.

You can also support All Dogs Matter through donations, volunteering to be a foster parent or fundraising.

Rescue and Adoption Details

• Address: 30 Aylmer Parade, London, N2 0PE
• Phone: 020 8341 3196
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://alldogsmatter.co.uk/
• Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

4.) Battersea

Since 1860, Battersea has remained committed to rescuing dogs and cats of all breeds and sizes.

The facility helps every dog in need no matter its age and helps them find their way to their new forever home.

Battersea has placed over three million animals and is still working hard to achieve its vision of every dog living in a loving forever home.

The facility does not turn away any dog in need of care and has a strict non-destruction policy.

Battersea is committed to ensuring all its rescues are treated with dignity and respect.

The modern dog rescue centre features a veterinary hospital where dogs and other animals are treated by qualified vets and behaviour therapists.

The facility also relies heavily on foster carers who ensure the pooch is well adjusted to living in a family setting.

Whether you are looking to adopt a big pup who gives big hugs or a couch potato who prefers to cuddle and take long naps with you, you will find them at Battersea.

• Visit their adoption page to get matched with a dog that suits your lifestyle.

You can support Battersea through donations, volunteering, buying for the dogs at the rescue centre, fundraising, or leaving a legacy.

You can also visit their website to get a free blue pin to show your support for rescue work.

Rescue and Adoption Details

• Address: 4 Battersea Park Rd, Nine Elms, London SW8 4AA, United Kingdom
• Phone: 020 7627 9245
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.battersea.org.uk/
• Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

5.) RSPCA Central, West and North East London Branch

This RSPCA branch offers assistance to dogs in need all around London.

The dog rescue centre is also involved in campaigns to promote responsible pet ownership through microchipping and neutering.

RSPCA Central, West, and North East London helps rescue and rehome over 1800 animals annually including dogs of all breeds.

If you would like to adopt a pooch from this rescue organisation, visit the ‘find a Pet‘ page on their site to see available adoptables.

RSPCA Central, East and North London also offer veterinary treatment, vaccination, neutering, and deworming services to all its rescues before adoption.

The London branch of RSPCA raises money locally to support its rescue and animal welfare operations.

The facility is run by locally elected volunteers who manage all dog rescue affairs.

This locally elected committee also runs the facility’s day to day administrative duties.

You can also support this organisation through volunteering, fundraising, or donations.

Rescue and Adoption Details

• Phone: 020 72722264
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://rspcacentrallondon.org.uk/
• Social Media: Facebook

6.) Mayhew

This animal welfare charity organisation works towards improving the lives of dogs in need in London and other areas across the globe.

Mayhew rescues over 1,100 dogs of different breeds and sizes every year.

The current patron is the Duchess of Sussex who has spent decades championing worthy causes including animal welfare.

The Duchess is committed to improving and making a difference in the lives of the dogs and families of the London community.

Mayhew works on a variety of community projects including reuniting lost pets with their parents, ‘pick and snip’ where they neuter owned pets within a specific area, pet refuge for short durations for parents in crisis, ‘ trap, neuter, and return’, and dog care advice.

All dogs at Mayhew are treated with lots of love and care with special attention given to those who have suffered abuse.

Through rehabilitation and behavioural training, the rescues are also equipped with the skills to integrate with their forever families.

Mayhew also engages rescued dogs through cognitive enrichment, physical activities, olfactory enrichment, and social enrichment to help them improve their relations with other pets, children, and parents in their new families.

If you would like to adopt a pooch from Mayhew, visit their adoption page to meet all the furry babies looking forward to relocating to their forever homes.

You can also sign up for dog alerts to get a message every time a new dog is available.

Rescue and Adoption Details

• Address: Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, London, NW10 6BJ
• Phone: 020 8962 8000
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://themayhew.org/
• Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

7.) Celia Hammond Animal Trust

In the 1960s, Celia Hammond, a model, devoted her life to improving the lives of dogs and cats in the UK.

Today, the Celia Hammond Animal Trust helps animals across London, taking in strays, unwanted, and abandoned dogs.

This animal rescue provides refuge and care for sick and injured dogs and offers neutering services, a humane solution to overpopulation.

The Celia Hammond Animal Trust also offers vaccination clinics at affordable rates.

At this facility, dogs that cannot be rehomed or adopted for any reason enjoy long-term sanctuary.

The facility also investigates reports of animal cruelty and neglect and alerts the relevant authorities to take appropriate action.

If you would like to give a dog a second chance at a happy life, reach out to the volunteers at the Celia Hammond Animal Trust to find out when there are available pets.

Rescue and Adoption Details

• Address: 233-235 Lewisham Way, Lewisham, London. SE4 1UY 
• Phone: 0208 694 6545
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.celiahammond.org/
• Social Media: Facebook

8.) Animal Samaritans

Animal Samaritans rescues dogs and other animals in South East England and South East London.

This registered charity provides care for abandoned, neglected, unwanted, and abused animals including dogs.

This dog rescue in London has a strict non-destruction policy and encourages all pet parents to neuter their dogs to reduce cases of unwanted and feral pups.

Animal Samaritans also offers financial assistance to pet parents in need in case of unexpected bills.

All dogs are treated for any medical issues they might have, vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped before adoption.

If you have recently lost a pet, you can also call their pet bereavement line for support as you grieve.

Ready to give a dog a loving forever home?

Visit the Animal Samaritans adoption page to get started.

This rescue centre does not rehome dogs with families that have kids aged 6 and below.

You can also support the facility through donations, volunteering, or will gifting.

Rescue and Adoption Details

• Address: PO Box 154, Bexleyheath, DA16 2WS
• Phone: 0203 745 9859
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://www.animalsamaritans.org.uk/

9.) Wimbledon Greyhound Welfare

Located only 40 minutes away from London, Wimbledon Greyhound Welfare offers a refuge for retired greyhounds who have nowhere to go.

The facility was founded by Pat, a dog lover, who wanted to prevent the unnecessary destruction of these glorious hounds.

Starting from 1980, she rescued and rehomed the greyhounds solely by word of mouth.

Pat traveled to kennels around the country to find abandoned hounds and match them with their forever families.

Her knowledge of dogs and people ensured no dogs were returned.

Today, Pat has kennels in Hersham and Surrey where she takes care of over 80 hounds at any time.

She also offers long-term care to dogs that cannot be rehomed for any reason.

If you would like to adopt one of these former race dogs, visit the Wimbledon Greyhound Welfare adoption page to meet the hounds.

You can also support Pat and her team through donations, or volunteering.

Pat rehomes her hounds all over the UK, but adoptive parents must be willing to travel to the kennels to meet their pooch.

Rescue and Adoption Details

• Address: Burhill Kennels, Turners Lane, Hersham, KT12 4AW.
• Phone: 01932 251894
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.hershamhounds.org.uk/
• Social Media: Facebook

Adopting From The Top Dog Rescue Centres in London

Rescue dogs get an unfair reputation because some of them have had a difficult upbringing.

However, once these dogs are brought to these rescue centres in London, they are rehabilitated and taken through intensive behavioural training to ensure they are well adjusted to family life.

Some rescue dogs even go on to become Medical Alert Dogs or assistance dogs.

All they need is a chance to prove themselves.

Adoption also saves a dog’s life by allowing these rescue centres to rescue more pups from shelters where they would otherwise be put down if left unclaimed.

Get in touch with any of the above dog rescues in London to meet your loving forever canine companion.