Over 52% of all dogs in the UK die through euthanasia.
These needless deaths can be avoided through adoption.
The dog rescues in Devon and Cornwall listed here strive to ensure that all dogs get a second chance through their rehoming services.
Some of the facilities below are no-kill shelters and offer lifelong residency to dogs that cannot be rehomed or rescued.
By adopting a canine furry from any of these facilities, you can help countless dogs across the UK get a chance to live with loving forever families.
All the dogs at these rescues are also neutered to prevent unwanted litters.
Reach out to any of the rescues and shelters below to visit and view all the available adoptables.
If you are unable to adopt, you can also support these facilities through donations and volunteering.
1.) Cornwall and South Devon Boxer Rescue
The Cornwall and South Devon Boxer Rescue is a registered charity founded in 2003.
John O’Brien started this facility to help boxers in need and other less fortunate dogs.
The facility works hard to help all its rescues find loving forever homes.
All dogs are vet checked and treated for any medical problems.
They are also assessed for behavioural issues and rehabilitated before they can be listed for adoption.
All dogs at this rescue are vaccinated, microchipped, neutered, and treated for fleas and worms.
Adoption at this facility is done with consideration of the dogs’ needs.
If you would like to adopt a pooch from this facility, fill out the online form giving as many details as you can to increase your chances of getting a match.
The facility contacts suitable parents to finalise the adoption process after carefully looking at their application forms.
Adoption fees range from £250 – £400.
If you and your family would like to adopt a boxer, reach out to the volunteers at this facility through their information below.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Penstraze Business Centre, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 8PN
- Phone: 07528 757137
- Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
- Website: csdboxerrescue.org.uk
- Social Media: Facebook
2.) Dogs Trust Ilfracombe
The Dogs Trust Ilfracombe rescue facility is located in a scenic wooded valley on the sandy beaches of North Devon.
Every year, this dog rescue centre helps hundreds of abandoned and unwanted pooches find new loving homes.
The facility has 40 kennels where rescues are cared for by volunteers.
These kennels have state-of-the-art amenities including underfloor heating, glass fronts, and comfortable beds.
These kennels provide temporary homes for dogs waiting to get adopted and loving forever homes for dogs who may not be adopted due to old age or illness.
To adopt a pooch from Dogs Trust Ilfracombe, browse through the available adoptables either through the website or by visiting the facility.
Once you have found one that looks like a good match, fill out the online application form.
If your application is successful, the facility will arrange a virtual home check and a meet and greet for you and your canine companion.
The facility also offers post-adoption support.
Adoption donations start at £205 for adult dogs and £260 for puppies.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Hazeldene, West Down, Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 8NU
- Phone: 0303 003 0000
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: dogstrust.org.uk/our-centres/ilfracombe/
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
3.) Gables Dogs and Cats Home
Gables Dogs and Cats Home is a no-kill rescue and rehoming facility that helps unwanted and abandoned canines in Devon and Cornwall find loving furever families.
Each year, Gables takes in 1,000 dogs and cats caring for up to 80 dogs daily.
Every dog that comes to Gables undergoes a behavioural assessment to determine their temperament and the best family for their personality
The dogs also receive professional vet care and treatment for any medical issues.
If you are looking to add a four-legged furry to your family, Gables has over 100 years of experience in making furever matches.
The shelter does not give up on any of its rescues, offering a permanent sanctuary to canines that cannot be adopted due to illness or age.
To adopt a pooch from Gables, visit the ‘Dogalogue’ to see all the available adoptables.
Some dogs on this list still need training and are best suited for parents who have the experience and time to accommodate them.
Fill out the application form detailing your home and lifestyle to get matched to a suitable dog.
All animals at Gables are vaccinated, neutered, microchipped, and treated for fleas and worms before adoption.
Adoption fees start at £150 for adult dogs and £200 for puppies.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 204 Merafield Road, Plymouth, PL7 1UQ
- Phone: 01752 331602
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: gablesfarm.org.uk
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
4.) National Animal Welfare Trust Cornwall
Started by Molly Wyatt, the Hayle centre houses the National Animal Welfare Trust in Cornwall.
The facility offers refuge to rescues from high-kill shelters and pounds around Cornwall as they wait to transition to their furever families.
This branch is one of the five National Animal Welfare Trust charities operating in the UK.
The facility relies on donations and well-wishers to rescue as many dogs as possible.
All rescues at this facility receive medical care and behavioural rehabilitation before they can be listed for adoption.
Visit the rehoming page to see all the doggos waiting to meet their new families.
The facility receives large volumes of inquiries and only responds to potential parents.
All dogs at this facility are vaccinated, microchipped, dewormed, and neutered before adoption.
Parents get 4 free weeks of Petplan insurance once the adoption is finalised.
The facility also offers individual training plans for adopted dogs according to their needs.
To support this facility you can hire a secure paddock for exercising or training your dog, or use their boarding facilities.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Wheal Alfred Road, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 5JT
- Phone: 01736 756005
- Website: nawt.org.uk/centres/cornwall
- Social Media: Facebook
5.) K9 Crusaders Dog Welfare
This Cornish based dog rescue specialises in the rehabilitation and rehoming of abandoned and neglected dogs of all breeds and sizes.
The independent rescue relies on donations, fundraisers, and support from the local community to carry out its rescue operations.
The dog rescue in Truro helps each dog find a home that matches their personality.
This facility also offers behavioural rehabilitation to all its rescues to help them transition smoothly into family life.
At K9 Crusaders all dogs get a second chance.
The facility does not turn away any puppy that comes its way and tries to rehome all its rescues including those considered problem animals.
If you would like to open up your home to one of the adorable adoptables at this facility, visit their website to see all the dogs that need homes.
The facility also has a record of all the dogs living happily with their forever families since 2019.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Hollybush Cottage, Bissoe, Truro TR4 8TF
- Phone: 44 1872 560232
- Website: caninecrusaders.org.uk
- Social Media: Twitter
6.) Margaret Greening Animal Rescue
Since 1965, the Margaret Green Rescue has helped abandoned and unwanted dogs, cats and other domestic animals in Dorset.
The facility was founded to help all animals live their lives free from distress.
At this rescue centre, all animals get accommodation in a suitable living environment that is designed to meet all their needs.
Dogs enjoy socialisation in off-lead groups and enjoy quality time with volunteers who help them adjust to family life.
Many of the dogs at this facility require specific care and the volunteers take time to match them with suitable homes.
The volunteers at this facility consider each application carefully to ensure that dogs in their care can be rehomed to permanent forever homes.
To adopt a pooch from this facility, make an appointment to visit the facility.
The team at Margaret Green will arrange a home visit and a family meeting before completing the process. Adoption fees range from £200 – £250.
This fee covers the cost of neutering, vaccination, flea treatment, microchipping, and deworming.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Church Knowle, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5NQ
- Phone: 44 1822 810215
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
7.) Russet Greyhound Sanctuary
The Greyhound Sanctuary in Cornwall is a rescue and rehabilitation centre that specialises in rehoming greyhounds.
For over 11 years, the facility has successfully rescued and rehomed over 1,000 hounds.
The rehoming process at this facility starts with an invitation to the sanctuary to meet all the wonderful canine companions available for adoption.
Each dog is assessed and matched with a suitable family.
There are plenty of dogs to choose from, however, not all hounds are suitable for homes with cats.
The facility offers a separate list of available adoptables who are compatible with cats upon request.
All dogs are neutered, dewormed, flead, microchipped, and vaccinated.
New pet parents also receive a lead, house collar, I.D. tag, a leather collar, and 4 weeks of free Petplan Insurance.
Russet Greyhound Sanctuary offers lifelong support for all its adopted pets and families.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Blackrock, Camborne,Cornwall, TR14 9NX
- Phone: 01209 831177
- Website: russetgreyhoundscornwall.com
- Social Media: Facebook
8.) Woodside Animal Welfare Trust
The team at Woodside Animal Welfare Trust tries its best to ensure that each dog in their care is rehomed.
The registered charity located in a countryside sanctuary also cares for dogs that cannot be adopted to age or illness.
Woodside advocates for responsible pet parenting through Welfare Officers who visit deprived areas and help owners understand their fur babies’ needs.
The facility also promotes neutering to prevent unwanted litters.
Before adopting a pooch from Woodside, you must have a fully enclosed garden with at least a 6ft fence.
Dogs from this shelter cannot be rehomed to properties with a communal garden.
You can adopt a pooch by filling out an online form.
The facility will then send a volunteer for a pre-home visit to ensure that your living conditions are suitable for your new canine companion.
If are unable to adopt a dog, you can sponsor any of the listed dogs during their stay at the facility.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Elfordleigh, Plympton, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 5ED
- Phone: 44 (0) 1752 347503
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: woodsidesanctuary.org.uk
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
9.) RSPCA Cornwall
The RSPCA Cornwall branch is an independent charity that operates under RPSCA rules.
They, however, do not have RSCPA inspectors or a veterinarian at the facility.
The team at this facility remains committed to serving its cause to rescue and rehome as many dogs and other animals as possible.
The facility takes in dogs from Cornwall and RSPCA inspectors.
These dogs often need extensive rehabilitation, treatment, and assessment before they can be adopted.
The dogs are also neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, dewormed, and flead.
The facility in Venton accommodates rescued dogs in over 40 kennels.
Dogs also enjoy outdoor paddocks where they can play, train, exercise, and socialise.
Many dog parents who have adopted from this facility leave excellent reviews.
Some dog parents continue to visit the facility with their fur babies to see their old caretakers and give the new rescues lots of TLC.
To join these happy families, visit the Find a Pet page to see all the dogs listed for adoption.
Fill out the online adoption form and submit it alongside pictures of your home and garden.
If you do not find a match immediately, the facility will keep your application on records for up to 3 months and notify you when a suitable dog is available.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Quoit, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6JS
- Phone: 01637 881455
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: rspcacornwall.org.uk
- Social Media: Facebook
10.) The Labrador Rescue
This rescue charity in South West England rescues and rehomes labradors from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire among other areas.
The facility has over 150 voluntary helpers and has helped over 11,514 dogs since 1988.
Alongside its rescue operations, The Labrador Rescue Trust also helps families rehome their beloved pets if they are no longer able to care for them.
The facility places its dogs in foster homes where they can be rehabilitated and treated for any medical conditions before adoption.
If you and your family would like to give a loving home to a labrador, contact the Area Co-ordinator near you who will help you through the application process.
Your helper will also answer all your questions and arrange a home check.
Although the facility mainly rehomes labradors, they occasionally rescue other breeds.
You can also request to adopt multiple dogs.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 4 Cedar Park, Cobham Road, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 7SF
- Phone: 07791 519084
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: labrador-rescue.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Conclusion For Dog Rescues In Devon and Cornwall (UK)
Whether you and your family would like to adopt an adorable Labrador or an athletic greyhound, these dog rescues in Devon and Cornwall will help you find the perfect match.
Many rescues at these facilities need lots some training as they transition into family life.
However, they also have lots of love to give and only need a little patience.
Get in touch with any of the facilities listed here to get started on your pet parenting journey and find your new canine companion.