Oakwood Dog Rescue was set up in 2009 as a non-profit organisation by founder Gill Williams. A dog trainer at the time she and wanted to help clients who could no longer take care of their dogs and help to rehome them. 

The centre has now rehomed over 600 dogs all of which go to their new homes neutered, fully vaccinated, microchipped, up to date with flea and worming treatments and have a veterinary check to ensure they are in good health. For most rescues it stops there, but Oakwood also supports all their adoptive dogs for life by offering free and discounted training with a qualified Canine Behaviourist to help dogs settle into their new home. They keep in touch with all their rehomed dogs to ensure the dogs are well and the family get the support they need to keep the dog living with them, a true forever home. Less than 5-10% of dogs rehomed ever come back to rescue and that is thanks to strict rehoming policies and excellent aftercare support that other rescue’s simply don’t offer. 

Oakwood Dog Rescue also does not destroy dogs just because they are difficult to rehome, or because they need to create space which happens at many other centres up and down the country. Oakwood recognise it’s not the dogs fault they end up in rescue, and they do everything in their power to help suitable dogs find a new loving home, regardless of how long it sometimes takes. 

 With the growth of the rescue they saw an increase in costs, rental of premises, utility bills, staff to care for the dogs, veterinary care, the list is endless. 

Unfortunately the rescue centre faced closure in 2015 due to lack of funding. Thankfully the general public got behind them and joined their £1 per month direct debit scheme. This brings in around £3,000 per month, but with current operating costs at £10,000 per month the dedicated team of staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to care for the dogs and raise the money to keep the centre open. There are no savings or contingency funds, the rescue only has enough money to run month to month. They receive no large scale or government funding and rely solely on the generosity of the public to keep the centre open.

From humble beginnings we’ve grown considerably, rehoming over 700 dogs so far. We do everything in our power to help dogs find a new loving home, regardless of how long it sometimes takes. We help all dogs regardless of their history, size, breed, colour and even those with missing bits. For us every dog is worthy of a second chance. 

From humble beginnings we have grown considerably, rehoming over 700 dogs so far. We do everything in our power to help dogs find a new loving home, regardless of how long it sometimes takes. We try to help all dogs regardless of their history, size, breed, colour and even those with missing bits. For us every dog is worthy of a second chance. 

As we have grown so have our costs unfortunately! We have seen a massive increase in our rent, utility bills, staff to care for the dogs, veterinary care, the list is endless. We even faced closure back in 2015 due to lack of funds, thankfully the public got behind us and saved us from the brink. We get no large scale or government funding so have no savings or contingency funds, and we only have enough money to run month on month. So joining our lottery will directly help us help our dogs.