Anyone involved in any London rescues?

[backtotheoldsmoke]

I'm coming back from 5 years abroad where I was involved in various ways with dog rescues. I fostered various dogs of many sizes while living in a flat. I've been researching rescues to get involved with in London.

I notice we wouldn't be able to foster because we live in a flat with a terrace rather than a ground floor garden. Anyone able to point me in the direction of a nice rescue that could do with a volunteer ? I do not want to fundraise/nor work in a charity shop.

Thanks!

Whereabouts in London will you be based? There's not too many very central so you'll have to travel out and into the home counties.

My daughter’s now a vet but did a lot of volunteering when she was at school and a student. She was always full of praise for Dogs Trust, I believe they have some branches in outer London. Alternatively if you fancy a change of species, Cats Protection.

We'll be in North London, happy to travel some distance but not 2+ hours. I guess I'm just not sure what's even available in London. In NY there were so many opportunities I sort of assumed London would be the same.

All Dogs Matter is the main independent / reputable / local rescue for North London so they'd be a good place to start

@user313213521

All Dogs Matter is the main independent / reputable / local rescue for North London so they'd be a good place to start

Thanks! I'll reach out to them after we get settled in. I really wanted to foster again but will settle for helping out as needed.

I am a big fan of Love Underdogs, based at Waltham Abbey.

All Dogs Matter are in North London was or Dogs on the Streets who help the homeless with their dogs and offer respite for the dogs and take care of them if the owner has to go into hospital

The nearest Dogs Trust to North London is either the one in Harefield (near Uxbridge) or the other way in Basildon, Essex.

There's also The Mayhew in North London as well.

The last two years and lockdowns has led to rescues being inundated with volunteer requests - good for the rescues but does mean the opportunities may be more limited!

I wouldn’t go near the Mayhew. It’s in Harlesden anyway so not really north London.

Battersea Dogs Home is South of the river (just) but it's on the northern line (Battersea Power Station Station) so could be quite easy for you to access depending on where you are within North London

Dogs on the Streets are suffering terribly from the new ULEZ charges and may have to close. It’s awful.

Underdog International

I also think they won't rule you out for fostering if you don't have a garden, if that's what you wanted. And they always needs volunteer dog walkers for owners in need.

Sorry I see you asked for charities people were involved with - I'm not but from what I've seen, Underdog International seem a bit more open minded about adopting dogs out to homes with some of the things that could rule a potential adopter out from some of the bigger charities (like not having a garden).

So if it's fostering you really want to do, they might be a good shout.

@Wolf1970

I wouldn’t go near the Mayhew. It’s in Harlesden anyway so not really north London.

How come?

@Imayhaveerred

Dogs on the Streets are suffering terribly from the new ULEZ charges and may have to close. It’s awful.

What charges are these?

ULEZ is ultra low emissions zone, which is an extra charge, on top of the congestion charge, for driving old polluting vehicles into inner London

I don't know the details of their case but I imagine that they have an old, polluting van that they need to drive into central London on a very regular basis and can't afford to replace

That’s as I understand it. They have 2 older vans that were specially adapted to transport dogs and to be a base for their outreach work and they aren’t compliant with the ULEZ requirements so every trip to help a homeless person or a dog costs them money. I believe there is an exemption the Mayor could apply but so far he has chosen not to.