We are based in Hull, East Yorkshire and specialise in rehoming ex-street dogs from overseas as well as UK dogs. All our policies hinge on this goal...
'One Home Only' - This is not about rehoming our dogs as fast as possible (although our average number of days in rescue for our dogs is 44 days), but ensuring they stay in the home they have found. We do this by having quite a unique adoption package. Spurred on by the generosity and enthusiasm of all our supporters, we are now in a position to be able to help a greater number of dogs than ever before. In 2012 we rehomed 100 dogs, In 2013 we rehomed 171 dogs! Great things can be achieved when we all work together towards a common goal, creating more happiness in the world for every dog that ends up here at Oakwood Dog Rescue. We are a dog rescue charity having been operating since 2009, and are one of a very small number in the country who will take in dogs who have bitten people although few of our available dogs are biters. We take in dogs from all walks of life, some ready to home straight away others needing training before they are ready for a home. Our goals and ultimate mission is simple: to rescue, rehabilitate and adopt out dogs to loving forever homes, understanding that every dog deserves a second chance. We are privately funded and receive no government and large scale support. We continue to run from the sheer generosity of, you, the public. Our centre costs around £10k per month to run and so we have fundraising events every weekend, without fail. We have no surplus or build up of funds and operate on a month by month basis. So your help and support is critical to our survival. We currently care for up to 30 dogs at any one time and have a fantastic set-up designed to ensure the highest welfare we can offer dogs in our care. The centre is made up of 15 individual kennels and a number of rooms, halls, yards and fields where the dogs can run, play and rest together all day, and sociable dogs can enjoy the doggy day-care during the week. We also work with a few close foster homes who offer invaluable care for our dogs during their stay. We are constantly striving to improve the environment for our dogs and are one of the few rescues in the country who are open such long hours, we don't feel a rescue dog should receive any less attention, time or care than a dog living in a home. We are with out dogs 7 days a week from 6.30am - 9pm, 365 days per year. Any dogs that cant mix with other dogs have their own kennel and are taken out for up to 6 walks each day, we give our kennelled dogs Kongs and chews to keep them busy. Each kennel is equipped with a heat lamp, a comfy bed and carpet to make them more homely and comfortable and we play classical music throughout the day to keep the dogs chilled out. Also, none of our kennels face each other which helps to minimise barking and reduces stress so our kennels are fairly quiet in comparison to many rescues. For our dogs that are socialble with other dogs they spend the day mixing with each other in our day room and play area, this gives them an added element to their day. The dogs we take in come from all sorts of backgrounds from owners simply unable to care for them, to the streets of Romania. You can follow the journey of many of our resuces on our page. We are open with the fact that we do not operate a 'no put to sleep' policy. For dogs that are severely mentally or physically ill it is sometimes the kinder option to end their suffering rather than resign them to living in a kennel for the next 10 years of their life whilst they bounce in and out of foster/adopted homes. Also those that possess a greater danger to society and cannot be rehomed safely. Luckily since the rescue began in 2009, we've only had to make this difficult decision a handful of times and it is never an easy decision. All options regarding training and potential rehoming are exhausted before considering this option. We do not put a time limit or a deadline date on a dog to be rehomed, even if it is going to take months or years but we are confident the issues are retrainable and the dog is going to cope well in the rescue in the meantime. The final decision often takes hours for the staff to discuss, which is never taken lightly, and everyone is in agreement before the final decision is made. Ultimately our goal as a rescue is to prevent the suffering of dogs, which does not always entitle keeping them alive.
