Walking along the streets in the city of Essex, you are likely to spot multiple professional dog walkers treating their furry friends to their daily dose of exercise.
Essex is not only dog friendly, but it is also littered with plenty of amenities for your canine friend.
From dog salons and trainers to boarding kennels, mobile dog groomers, the town has it all.
This dog-friendly city also boasts plenty of dog parks complete with woodlands and ornamental ponds which means you will have plenty of space for your pooch to play and socialise.
There is also plenty of picnic space where your family can spend time together.
Adopting a dog gives an abandoned, unwanted, or neglected pet a new lease of life.
Dog adoption is also much cheaper compared to buying one from a breeder.
If you live in or around Essex and would like to adopt a dog, there are plenty of rescue centres in the area that are happy to help.
We have put together a list of the most commonly used rescues in the Essex area to help you in your search.
1.) Dogs Trust Basildon
This dog rescue in Basildon focuses on re-homing dogs that are neglected, abused, abandoned, or unwanted.
The registered charity is run by a caring team that is dedicated to finding each of their rescues a loving forever family.
Dogs Trust was founded in 1891 as the National Canine Defense League by Lady Gertrude Stock who together with a group of dog-lovers had vowed to campaign against dog cruelty.
The facility was renamed Dogs Trust in 2003.
The team at Dog’s Trust has carried on Lady Gertrude’s legacy and remains committed to creating a future where all dogs can enjoy a life free from unnecessary destruction.
As one of the leading dog welfare charities in the UK, Dogs Trust takes in over 100 dogs at a time.
This dog rescue centre features various amenities including a dog school, in-house veterinary, training barn, and a surgical suite.
Dogs Trust also has a training and rehabilitation centre where puppies are trained and cared for.
If you are planning to adopt from Dogs Trust, you will need to make an appointment.
You can also book a consultation to speak to an adoption advisor about your family’s needs and lifestyle before re-homing a pet.
Adoption fees start at £185 and go up to £240 for puppies.
This cost covers microchipping, vaccinations, neutering, and any other medical procedures the dog may need.
Get in touch with Dogs Trust to find out more about their adoption policies or look through their adoption page to spot your new four-legged family member.
You can also support this facility through donations, volunteering, or shopping and gifts.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: 17 Wakley Street London EC1V 7RQ
- Phone: 020 7837 0006 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/our-centres/essex/
- Social media: Facebook
2.) Wallace Kennels Dog Rescue
This small, family-run dog rescue centre is operated by a dedicated team of canine-loving volunteers.
The kennel was started as a dog boarding facility and has served the people of Essex and their canines for over 45 years.
Started by Vera Robinson, the Wallace Kennels are currently run by her son Mark and his wife Dee.
The rescue centre mainly takes in unwanted and abandoned dogs from Chelmsford and Brentwood, but when necessary, it also accommodates strays from other areas.
The non-profit rescue can accommodate up to 60 dogs at a time.
For a £280 – £350 adoption donation, your new pooch can come home neutered, microchipped, wormed, and flea’d with a lead, collar, and temporary name tag.
You can support Wallace Kennels through donations, volunteering or buying new dog items such as toys, bowls, and beds at the cost of a donation as you adopt your new pooch.
Check out their adoption page to see all the new pets waiting to meet their forever pawrents.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Clapgate, Chivers Road, Stondon Massey, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LH
- Phone: 01277 821032 / 07891 884701
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.wallacekennels.com/
- Social media: Facebook
3.) Mutts in Distress
This animal shelter in Little Hallingbury on the Hertfordshire/Essex border rescues dogs that would otherwise be destroyed at local pounds.
The facility offers rehoming services after microchipping, neutering, and rehabilitating the dogs.
Mutts in Distress is also working to help disabled dogs in danger of losing their limbs.
These dogs include Golden Retrievers, Cross Breeds, German Shepherds and Huskies brought in from abroad.
You can support this facility’s kind endeavours by donating or volunteering your time and skills.
If you and your family are looking for a new canine member, check out their adoption page to see available dogs.
You can also donate tinned dog food.
For more information about how you can help Mutts In Distress, reach out through the contact form on their website.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: New Barn Lane, Little Hallingbury, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM22 7PR
- Phone: 01279 656633
- Website: https://mutts-in-distress.org.uk/
- Social media: Facebook
4.) Danaher Animal Home
Danaher is a registered charity in Wethersfield, Essex.
The dog rescue centre is set on 5 acres of scenic countryside with 45 dedicated members of staff.
Each year this animal home takes in hundreds of abandoned, lost, and unwanted animals.
The facility is affiliated with the RSPCA, however, it is an independent charity that raises its own funds.
Danaher generates up to 50% of its funding from six retail stores and the other 50% from fundraising events, and donations.
This animal home is committed to providing a safe environment for all animals in need and is dedicated to finding each dog in its care a new forever family.
Dogs brought to the facility are rehabilitated, microchipped, vaccinated and treated for any medical conditions before re-homing.
You can find all the adorable pups up for adoption on their site.
You can also support the team at Danaher Animal Home through donations, volunteering, corporate sponsorship, or leaving a legacy.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Thorley Farm, Hedingham Road, Wethersfield, Essex, CM7 4EP
- Phone: 00300 111 4321
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://danaheranimalhome.org.uk/
- Social media: Facebook
5.) National Animal Welfare Trust
This dog rescue centre is one of the leading animal welfare charities in the UK.
The facility operates five rehoming centres across Berkshire, Cornwall, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Essex.
Established over 50 years ago, the National Animal Welfare Trust has two rescue centres in Essex, one in Thurrock and the other in Clacton.
Both of these facilities house dogs, cats, and other animals in transit to their forever homes.
The National Animal Welfare Trust takes in abandoned, lost, and unwanted dogs as well those whose families can no longer care for them due to a change in lifestyle or circumstances.
If you would like to adopt or re-home a pet, contact the team at NAWT to learn more about available pets.
You can also go through their adoption page to meet lonely dogs looking forward to meeting new families.
All dogs brought to this facility are vaccinated, neutered, microchipped, and given any other medical treatments they may need.
Pet parents who adopt with NAWT also get four weeks of pet insurance.
Adoption rates start at £200, a small token in return for a fiercely loyal life companion.
The National Animal Welfare Trust is ranked as one of the best dog rescue centres in Essex so you can be sure you are dealing with a trustworthy team that genuinely cares about dogs.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Head Office, Tylers Way, Watford By-pass, Hertfordshire, WD25 8WT / The Street, Little Clacton, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO16 9LG
- Phone: 01255 860062 Clacton / 07905 847286 Thurrock
- Website: https://www.nawt.org.uk/
- Social Media: Facebook
6.) Dobermann Rescue
If your family has always dreamed of having a pet Dobe, this dog rescue facility is happy to make your dream come true.
The registered charity started in 1967 has successfully rescued and re-homed over 13,000 Dobermanns.
Dobermann Rescue takes in dogs from most of the UK and is focused on re-homing as many dobes as it can.
Dobermanns that cannot be re-homed are put up in the facility’s kennels as long term residents under the Sponsadobe program where sponsors can support them throughout their lives.
Before adopting a dog from this facility, you will be required to carefully assess your needs, family structure, and lifestyle.
Dobermanns can be demanding dogs and are not suitable for families with toddlers and children under 5.
The professionals at this facility recommend taking the time to train your new pet as this breed is known to be noisy and destructive in a new environment.
However, once trained, Dobes are loyal, affectionate, fun-loving dogs.
You can see the list of available Dobes for adoption on their website.
You can also support Dobermann Rescue through donations or volunteering.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Cranfield Park Rd, Wickford, Essex, SS12 9LG
- Phone: 01268 733353
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.dobermann-rescue.org.uk/
- Social media: Facebook
7.) Clarks Farm Greyhound Rescue
Clarks Farm Greyhounds Rescue is a registered charity based in Essex.
The facility takes in ex-racing and retired Greyhounds and re-homes them in the loving care of their new forever parents.
This rescue centre re-homes dogs across England.
Greyhounds are gentle, loving, goofy dogs that make great pets.
While all dogs need exercise, Greyhounds do not need a lot of exercise compared to other breeds.
So if you have enough space with limited time for exercise, this breed is ideal for your lifestyle.
At Clarks, you will need to get registered before you can start the adoption process.
The facility also carries out home checks to ensure you have a secure garden and enough space for your newly-adopted fur baby.
All Greyhounds at Clarks Farm are vaccinated, microchipped, neutered and treated for any medical conditions they might have before adoption.
Adoption donations start at £200.
Your Greyhound is also welcome to board at the facility when you go on vacation.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Wash Lane, Little Totham, Maldon, Essex, CM9 8LX
- Phone: 01621 788315
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.clarksfarmgreyhounds.org.uk/
- Social media: Facebook
8.) Acres Way
For over 25 years, Acres Way Kennels has cared for stray, unwanted, abandoned, and neglected dogs.
This facility takes in strays from Rochford, Southend, Basildon, and CastlePoint Councils.
Acres Kennels holds over 85 boarders providing a clean, spacious, air-conditioned kennel for each dog.
The kennels also have access to covered outdoor runs.
All dogs for adoption at Acres Kennels are neutered, vaccinated, registered, and microchipped.
Adoption fees start from £135.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Acres Way Kennels, Great Burches Road, Thundersley, Essex, SS7 3NE
- Contact: 01268 770402
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.acresway.co.uk/
9.) Suffolk & Essex Small Animal Welfare
SESAW is a dog rescue centre based in Leavenheath.
The independent charity has served the Essex community for over 25 years.
Throughout this time, the facility has remained dedicated to its mission of caring for abandoned, sick, injured, and unwanted animals.
This facility is not as expansive as some of the other rescues listed above, however, it does not discriminate and takes in dogs of any breed.
SESAW works hard to re-home as many dogs as they can, but where that is not possible, the pets live in permanent foster care at the facility.
You can support this facility through donations or volunteering as the animals need constant care.
You can also take a peek into the lives of the many happily homed pets on their website.
Rescue and Adoption Details
- Address: Idano, Stoke Road, Leavenheath, Suffolk CO6 4PP
- Contact: 01787 210 888
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.sesaw.co.uk/
- Social media: Facebook
Conclusion For Top Dog Rescues in Essex
Essex has a rich network of dog fosterers, dog parks, and other dog amenities that makes life easier for dog parents.
The beautiful county is filled with scenic places where you can walk your dog as you get some exercise and enjoy the fresh countryside air.
While there’s no doubt that adopting a dog is a strenuous process, you can also be assured that the results are equally rewarding.
The above dog rescue centres can help you shower an abandoned, unwanted, or neglected dog with plenty of love and affection by giving them a new home.
Although the facilities above have strict non-destruction policies, dogs that cannot find their way into such rescue centres are often euthanised as there is no one to care for them.
By adopting from any facility above, you open up space to rescue more dogs and re-home them with loving families.
If you have no room in your home for permanent adoption, you can still support the facilities through donations or volunteering.