About Islay Dog Rescue

Islay Dog Rescue is an independent dog rescue charity founded in 2010 with a mission to give at-risk dogs a fair chance at loving homes. Established in response to the challenges faced by suitable adopters being turned away elsewhere, the charity takes an inclusive, case-by-case approach to rehoming, carefully matching each dog to the right home rather than applying rigid criteria. Islay Dog Rescue focuses on rescuing dogs from UK pounds and partner organisations, as well as supporting international rescue efforts in countries such as Romania and Bosnia, where dogs face particularly harsh conditions. Every dog is fully assessed, receives veterinary care, and is supported through foster care where needed before being placed into a safe, permanent home.

Contact Information

LocationScotland

Dogs Available from Islay Dog Rescue

6 dogs available
Button, a 18 years old male Jack Russell Terrier available for adoption from Islay Dog Rescue in Scotland

Islay Dog Rescue

Button

Scotland
SexMale
Age18 years
BreedJack Russell Terrier

Meet Button – Tiny, Feisty, and Full of Life!Don’t let her small size fool you—Button is a big personality packed into just 7.4kg! This young Jack Russell girl, estimated to be around 18 months old, is bursting with energy, curiosity, and classic terrier spirit.Button was rescued from a dog pound in Lancashire after being found as a stray with no microchip and, sadly, no one came forward to claim her. She has now been microchipped and is safe in rescue, but she still needs to begin her vaccinations and will require spaying in due course.Button is a busy little dog who loves to be on the go. Whether she’s out on a walk, playing, or investigating every inch of her surroundings, she throws herself into life with enthusiasm. She’s incredibly excitable—and when Button gets excited, she makes sure everyone knows about it! Her vocal nature means she’ll need a home with very understanding (or very hard-of-hearing!) neighbours.Because of her high energy and tendency to become overexcited, Button wouldn’t be suitable for a home with young children. She’ll need an experienced and committed owner who is ready to put time into her training and provide plenty of mental and physical stimulation. She is definitely not for the faint-hearted, but for the right person, she will be a hugely rewarding companion.Button will require a very secure garden to keep her safe while she burns off her energy. She cannot live with cats, and any resident dog would need to be a calm, steady male—pending careful introductions.This tiny whirlwind has so much potential, but she needs guidance, structure, and someone who understands the terrier mindset. With the right home, Button could channel her energy into becoming a brilliant, fun, and loyal little dog.Her adoption fee is £250 which goes directly to helping save the lives of dogs just like him

Cassie, a 4 years old male Unknown available for adoption from Islay Dog Rescue in Scotland

Islay Dog Rescue

Cassie

Scotland
SexMale
Age4 years
BreedUnknown

Meet Cassie – A Gentle Soul Ready for Her Forever HomeCassie is a beautiful 4-year-old girl with a quiet strength and a heart full of love, just waiting to be shared. Rescued from a kill shelter in Romania, Cassie’s journey hasn’t been easy. She safely gave birth to her puppies after arriving in rescue, and while heartbreakingly only one survived—her daughter Leonie, who is also still waiting for a home—Cassie has shown incredible resilience and devotion.A medium-to-large sized dog at around 30kg, Cassie has a calm and gentle presence. When she first arrived, she was understandably unsure and took a little time to trust the people caring for her. But with patience and kindness, she has blossomed. She now enjoys going out for walks, though she still finds comfort in returning to the familiarity and safety of the centre.Cassie is beginning to show her playful side, happily spending time in the arena with her friends Polly and Leonie. She gets along well with other dogs and could easily live with a canine companion—ideally a calm, confident male dog who can help continue to build her confidence.Cassie has recently met some young children and, while she remained gentle, she was clearly nervous and unsure. For this reason, we feel she would be best suited to a home with teenagers and above, where her need for a calm and predictable environment can be respected.Cassie is looking for a patient and understanding home where she can continue to grow at her own pace. She will need adopters who can offer reassurance, routine, and plenty of love as she learns that the world isn’t such a scary place after all.This lovely girl has been through so much, yet she remains gentle, sweet, and full of quiet hope. With the right home, Cassie will truly come into her own and become a deeply loyal and loving companion.She is fully vaccinated, microchipped, and up to date with parasite treatments.

Eva And Teddy, a 6 years old unknown Unknown available for adoption from Islay Dog Rescue in Scotland

Islay Dog Rescue

Eva And Teddy

Scotland
SexUnknown
Age6 years
BreedUnknown

A bonded Jack Russell duo looking for their forever home togetherEva (6) and Teddy (3) are gorgeous Jack Russell Terriers — and mother and son — who have found themselves in rescue through no fault of their own following the very sad passing of their owner, who clearly adored them both. These two are completely bonded and must be rehomed together.Eva and Teddy are affectionate, fun-loving little pocket rockets who adore their walks and zooming around the exercise arena. Indoors, they love toys and playing together — especially in front of the log burner in the enrichment room. They are full of character, joy, and companionship and would bring endless laughter and love to any home.They recently met a baby briefly and behaved beautifully, showing calm and appropriate manners. However, they cannot live with cats, and as they are very interested in sheep, they should be kept on lead around livestock.These two are an absolute delight and would make any family incredibly happy.They are fully vaccinated, microchipped, treated for parasites and assessed. Teddy is neutered, while Eva will be rehomed with a Neutering Agreement, with her spay to be completed by her new family and proof required.Their adoption donation is £600 (for both dogs) and this goes directly to saving the lives of dogs just like them.Rehoming: Together onlyIf you’re looking for double the love, double the fun, and two loyal companions who will brighten every day — Eva and Teddy could be your perfect match.

Leonie, a 2 years old female Crossbreed available for adoption from Islay Dog Rescue in Scotland

Islay Dog Rescue

Leonie

Scotland
SexFemale
Age2 years
BreedCrossbreed

Meet Leonie – A Fragile Soul Learning About the WorldLeonie is a beautiful 2-year-old Romanian crossbreed with a very gentle nature and a story that tugs at the heart. She is the daughter of Cassie and was born safely in a shelter in Romania. Sadly, she was the only one of her litter to survive, and she has grown up knowing very little beyond the shelter environment.Because of this, Leonie finds the world around her overwhelming and unfamiliar. She is an extremely nervous girl who is still trying to understand that new experiences can be safe. There isn’t a bad bone in her body—when she feels frightened, she simply freezes rather than trying to run or react.At present, Leonie is not confident enough to leave the safety of the rescue centre. She prefers to stay in the environment she knows, where she feels secure and protected. For this reason, she is not yet ready for adoption.However, Leonie is beginning her journey towards confidence. She is able to meet visitors in our enrichment room—a calm, controlled space where she can gently start to experience new people and situations at her own pace. With time, patience, and positive experiences, we are hopeful that Leonie will slowly begin to build her confidence and trust.Leonie will need very special adopters in the future—people who truly understand nervous dogs and are prepared to give her all the time she needs, without pressure or expectation.For now, Leonie is taking small but important steps forward.She is fully vaccinated, microchipped, and up to date with parasite treatments.

Nell, a 10 years old male Crossbreed available for adoption from Islay Dog Rescue in Scotland

Islay Dog Rescue

Nell

Scotland
SexMale
Age10 years
BreedCrossbreed

Nell is a truly special young dog — a 1 year old Dutch Herder bursting with intelligence, energy, affection, and potential. This incredible breed is known for its drive and work ethic, and Nell is a perfect example. She forms close bonds quickly with her handler, is eager to please, and thrives when she has a job to do.She is highly food motivated and an exceptionally quick learner. Nell already knows sit, spin, middle, wait, and come, and while she does need work on her lead walking (she currently pulls), her enthusiasm and intelligence mean she will progress quickly in the right hands. She has been doing scent work and is showing real promise — she would excel in activities such as obedience, agility, man-trailing, hoopers, or other working disciplines.Nell is extremely affectionate and will happily demand cuddles and scratches at every opportunity. She previously lived with young children and has been friendly and loving with people. She also lived with an older male German Shepherd and a middle-aged female Malinois. Unfortunately, the Malinois did not tolerate Nell and would attack her, which led to her needing rescue. Nell has taken part on group walks and has played with a calm male dog. However, she can still be reactive to strange dog and DOES NOT appreciate being approached by off-lead dogs.Nell hates cats and cannot live with them, and she would not currently be suitable around livestock.We are looking for a knowledgeable, active home that understands working breeds and is committed to continuing her training, education, and socialisation. Nell needs both physical exercise and mental stimulation — she is not a “pet dog” in the traditional sense but a fabulous project for someone wanting a partner in sport, training, or working activities.Recently, Nell spent three days on a short break in a caravan with staff members at Dunoon, where she was impeccably clean indoors and had the time of her life exploring beaches and forests — although a balloon did lead to hours of entertainment.Nell will require multiple visits and an integrated adoption process to ensure the best match. She is an outstanding young dog with enormous potential and deserves a home that can truly meet her needs.If you’re looking for a devoted, driven, intelligent companion and training partner — Nell could be your girl.

Poppy, a 5 years old female Border Collie available for adoption from Islay Dog Rescue in Scotland

Islay Dog Rescue

Poppy

Scotland
SexFemale
Age5 years
BreedBorder Collie

Meet Poppy – A Joyful Spirit Ready for Her Forever FamilyPoppy is a truly special girl whose resilience and happy nature shine through despite a difficult start in life. Abandoned on the streets, she was picked up by dog catchers and taken to a kill shelter in Romania. Thankfully, she was rescued and brought to safety, where she later had puppies—though heartbreakingly, none survived. Through it all, Poppy has remained wonderfully balanced, secure, and full of life.Born in 2021 and weighing 34.2kg, Poppy is a tall, striking girl with a zest for life that’s impossible to miss. She arrived at Islay Dog Rescue in February, and from the moment she stepped off the transport, it was as though she had always belonged. She settled in immediately, showing just how adaptable and trusting she truly is.Poppy absolutely loves getting out for walks and enjoys plenty of playtime in the arena. She has a fun, lively personality and can be a little boisterous at times—something that only adds to her charm! She especially loves to run, jump, and cavort around, making the most of every moment of freedom and fun.Despite her energy, Poppy is a well-rounded and emotionally secure dog who would thrive in a loving family home. She is looking for a home where she will be included as a valued member of the family—one that can offer her both the activity she enjoys and the companionship she deserves.Poppy has so much love to give and so much life to live. All she needs now is a place to call home.She is fully vaccinated, microchipped, and up to date with parasite treatments.She is fully vaccinated, microchipped, and up to date with parasite treatments.