Adopt a Rescue Dog in Greater London

All Dogs Matter is a London-based dog rescue and rehoming charity founded in 2009, dedicated to improving the lives of unwanted and abandoned dogs. The charity works closely with local authorities and partner organisations to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs from the UK, as well as supporting international rescue efforts, particularly in Egypt. In 2024 alone, All Dogs Matter successfully rescued and rehomed 350 dogs into loving new homes. With a strong commitment to dog welfare, the charity operates a non-euthanasia policy for healthy dogs, does not discriminate by breed or age, and focuses on practical action, collaboration, and long-term positive outcomes for both dogs and their adopters.

Battersea is one of the UK’s oldest and most well-known animal rescue charities, providing care and rehoming for dogs and cats since 1860. Founded in London by Mary Tealby, the organisation has a long history of rescuing animals in need and now operates across three centres. Battersea cares for hundreds of dogs and cats at any one time and has supported more than 3.1 million animals over its lifetime. The charity focuses on reuniting pets with their owners where possible and finding safe, loving new homes when this cannot be achieved, with animal welfare at the heart of everything it does.

Dogs Trust is one of the UK’s leading dog welfare charities, supporting dogs and their owners since it was founded in 1891 by Lady Gertrude Stock. Guided by the belief that a dog is for life, the charity provides care for dogs in distress, helps find loving new homes when needed, and supports owners during difficult circumstances. Dogs Trust works across the UK to protect the lifelong bond between dogs and people, offering practical help, education, and advocacy at every stage of a dog’s life. In the last year alone, the charity provided care for over 11,700 dogs without homes, continuing its long-standing mission to create a better future for dogs and the people who love them.

German Shepherd Rescue Elite was established to support unwanted, abandoned, and neglected German Shepherds, while also educating the public about the responsibilities of owning large working-breed dogs. The charity focuses not only on rescue and rehoming, but on prevention—offering advice and guidance to help reduce the number of dogs entering rescue in the future. GSRE works tirelessly to ensure dogs are microchipped, vaccinated, and neutered, with dedicated follow-up support where needed. Supported by a passionate volunteer network, the charity also assists Belgian Shepherd Malinois and Dutch Shepherds, breeds whose complex needs are often misunderstood. As a full member of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) and the EU Dog and Cat Alliance, GSRE is committed to collaboration and the highest standards of animal welfare.

Lea Valley Dog Rescue was founded in 2006 by Yasmina, who had been rescuing and rehoming dogs since 1984 from UK and Irish pounds. In 2007, the rescue expanded its work to support Romanian street and shelter dogs after witnessing the harsh conditions they faced, while continuing to help dogs within the UK. All dogs are placed in foster homes for full assessment before being carefully matched to suitable adopters, with lifetime rescue backup provided. Guided by the belief that “love has no borders,” the charity remains committed to helping any dog in need, wherever they may be.

Lulubells Animal Rescue rescues cats, dogs, small pets and wildlife across Greater London and beyond, providing high-welfare care and rehabilitation until animals are either rehomed or safely released. The volunteer-run, non-profit charity works closely with partner veterinary surgeries and specialist wildlife networks to treat and support sick or injured animals. From domestic pets to wildlife such as hedgehogs and swans, each animal receives coordinated, ongoing care tailored to its needs. Operating a strict no-kill policy except in extraordinary circumstances, Lulubells Rescue remains committed to giving every animal the time and compassion they deserve.

Lurcher SOS is a Suffolk-based rescue charity dedicated to helping lurchers, greyhounds, whippets, salukis, and other sighthounds in need. Founded in 2010 by lifelong lurcher owners, the charity operates through a network of volunteers, foster homes, and supporters across the UK. Lurcher SOS focuses on rescuing dogs at risk, including those facing euthanasia, from the UK and abroad, providing rehabilitation in foster homes rather than kennels. All dogs receive full veterinary care before adoption, and the charity relies entirely on public donations and fundraising to continue its life-saving work.

Mayhew is a long-established animal welfare charity offering a wide range of support for pets and the people who care for them. Founded in 1886, the charity focuses on keeping people and their animals together through community support, dog and cat adoption, and access to free or low-cost veterinary care for those who may otherwise struggle to afford it. Alongside its UK work, Mayhew runs international welfare programmes aimed at humane dog population management, rabies control, and education. Entirely funded by public donations, the charity combines hands-on rescue and rehoming with preventative care and global advocacy to improve animal welfare both locally and worldwide.

O.U.R Dog Foundation is an APHA-approved importer that rescues dogs from Romanian kill shelters and the streets, placing them into carefully matched homes across the UK. Every dog is thoroughly assessed, fully vaccinated (including rabies and kennel cough), microchipped, neutered if age-appropriate, blood tested for diseases such as brucellosis, and treated for fleas and worms before travel. Dogs are transported by APHA-approved carriers directly to adopters or foster homes, with options suitable for families, including child-tested and cat-friendly dogs. Adoption fees vary by age and location, and the charity provides lifetime rescue backup for every dog rehomed.

Our Safe Haven Kennels is a UK-based rescue facility opened in 2021 in Nantwich, Cheshire, created to provide a calm and supportive environment for dogs in need. The kennels were established to help dogs who struggled in busy shelter settings, particularly those rescued from overseas, as well as to offer a secure backup space for UK dogs returning to the rescue. Designed with welfare in mind, the centre allows potential adopters to meet dogs by appointment and get to know them properly before adoption. Since opening, Our Safe Haven Kennels has seen rapid growth, rehoming more than 200 dogs in 2023 alone, and continues to expand its role as a vital stepping stone between rescue and a permanent, loving home.

Underdog International was founded in 2019 by Nadine Kayser following her work co-founding the Wild at Heart Foundation in 2015. After helping drive large-scale adoption, neutering, and education programmes worldwide, Nadine shifted her focus toward fostering compassion through child-led engagement with animals. Underdog International was created on the principle of “children helping dogs, dogs helping children,” combining animal welfare with youth development and education. The charity aims to create lasting change by nurturing empathy, responsibility, and kindness in the next generation while improving the lives of vulnerable dogs.

Wimbledon Greyhound Welfare (WGW) is a Surrey-based independent charity (registered 1142777) dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming retired and unwanted racing greyhounds. Operating from Burhill Kennels in Hersham, they provide care for over 80 dogs, often specializing in long-term care for hounds with medical or behavioral issues.