Dogs Trust

Through its network of 17 Re-homing Centres across the UK, the charity cares for over 16,000 stray, unwanted and abandoned dogs each year. Formerly known as the National Canine Defence League, the charity was founded in 1891 to protect dogs from ‘torture and ill-usage of every kind’. Over 117 years later, Dogs Trust is now one of the country’s leading charities and continues to pursue its goals with determination. The charity invests heavily in programmes to promote responsible ownership. Dogs Trust believes unwanted and abandoned dogs can be prevented through education on the responsibilities involved in looking after a dog, and by neutering. While a dog is in the care of Dogs Trust it will receive the very best of care and attention, but Dogs Trust works tirelessly to ensure that each and every dog goes to a happy and loving home of its own. Through a careful home checking system, staff ensure that a dog and his new owners are the perfect match. Each year the charity conducts a Survey of every local authority in the country, to highlight the number of stray dogs in the UK and what happens to them. In 1997 there were over 136,000 strays of which 22,000 were destroyed by local authorities. This situation prompted Dogs Trust to launch its Campaigns Programme. By 2006 the figure had dropped to over 101,000 strays with just over 7,000 being destroyed by local authorities. Dogs Trust has neutered over 197,000 and micro-chipped over 210,000 dogs since its Campaigns Programme started in 1999. As suggested by its famous slogan, “A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas”, Dogs Trust is dedicated to promoting the message of responsible dog ownership. The charity invests in campaigns to reduce the number of stray, unwanted and abandoned dogs by promoting neutering, micro-chipping, and invests in education programmes to reach the dog owners of tomorrow. Dogs Trust has a non-destruction policy, and will never put a healthy dog to sleep. The charity is working towards the day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction. For more information, call us on 020 7837 0006 or visit our website: www.dogstrust.org.uk