Adopt a Rescue Dog in the North East

Brysons Animal Shelter is Gateshead’s only animal shelter rehoming cats, dogs, and small animals, providing care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Supported by a dedicated team of ten staff, the shelter ensures every animal receives the highest standard of care while they await their forever home. Brysons takes a personal, thoughtful approach to rehoming, working closely with adopters to ensure the right match for both animal and owner. Each year, the shelter successfully rehomes over 150 dogs, 200 cats, and many small animals, while offering lifelong support should circumstances ever change. Founded in 1947 by Bill and Marion Bryson, the shelter has grown from a refuge for horses and ponies into a vital sanctuary for animals across the region.

Dali Dog Rescue UK helps stray and abandoned dogs in Cyprus find safe, loving homes in the UK and overseas. Working closely with D.O.G Rescue Cyprus, the organisation has helped rehome more than 3,000 dogs since its beginnings in 2010, giving dogs from overcrowded shelters the chance to start a new life with a permanent family.

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.

Durham Dogs & Cats Home is a registered animal welfare charity dedicated to giving unwanted dogs and cats a second chance at life. Founded with the rescue of just two dogs, the charity has since helped thousands of animals through rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming, with particular focus on dogs at risk in local council pounds. Each animal receives high-quality care, including veterinary treatment and emotional rehabilitation, to prepare them for a fresh start in a loving home. Supported by dedicated staff, volunteers, and veterinary partners, Durham Dogs & Cats Home continues to work tirelessly to protect vulnerable animals and improve their futures.

Durham District Retired Greyhounds is a registered charity dedicated to finding loving forever homes for retired racing greyhounds from tracks across the North East. The charity works to showcase what wonderful companions greyhounds make—gentle, friendly, and loyal dogs that quickly adapt to family life and are just as happy relaxing at home as they are enjoying short daily walks. Most greyhounds retire from racing between three and five years old, meaning they still have many happy years ahead of them as pets. At any one time, around 30 greyhounds of varying ages and temperaments are available for adoption, giving prospective owners plenty of choice. Visitors are welcome to view the dogs and ask questions, with kennel visits available by appointment and no obligation to adopt.

German Shepherd Dog Rescue (GSDR) is a volunteer-run charity founded in 2001 and granted charitable status in 2011, dedicated to rescuing, fostering, and rehoming German Shepherd Dogs and related large shepherd breeds. Operating across England and Wales, the organisation carefully assesses each dog and matches them to suitable adopters, providing ongoing advice and support to ensure lasting placements. Without its own kennels, GSDR relies on foster homes and boarding facilities, with kennelling costs forming its largest expense. Rehoming 200–300 dogs each year, the charity aims to establish its own dedicated facility to better support urgent and complex cases.

Greyhound Rescue North East is a small, family-run charity based in the North East of England, dedicated to rescuing and rehoming greyhounds and other sighthounds. For over 20 years, the team has provided temporary care for stray, abandoned, and relinquished greyhounds, lurchers, salukis, whippets, and similar breeds before placing them into loving forever homes. Run entirely by volunteers and led day-to-day by the founder, the charity typically cares for 20–30 dogs at any one time. Registered since 2009 and governed by three trustees, the rescue has helped thousands of dogs begin a new chapter in life.

Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter was established in 1896 and has a long history of helping animals that are lost, unwanted, neglected, abused, or abandoned across the North East. Based at Benton North Farm in Newcastle, the charity works to reunite lost dogs and cats with their owners and find loving new homes for those who need one. Its mission is to save lives across the region while promoting kindness and preventing cruelty to animals. Guided by strong values of compassion, commitment, adaptability, support, and joy, the shelter places animal welfare and community at the heart of everything it does. Through rehoming, reunification, and ongoing care, the charity continues to make a lasting difference to animals in need.

We are a small, family-run, non-profit, foster-based dog rescue dedicated to providing the highest standard of care for every dog that comes into our rescue. While we specialise in terriers, we welcome dogs of all breeds and sizes, offering the same level of compassion, commitment, and individual attention to each one. Every dog receives a full health check and any necessary veterinary care on arrival, followed by time to settle in and undergo behavioural assessment. This careful approach allows us to understand each dog’s needs before starting training, rehabilitation, and the search for the perfect home. We rehome dogs across the UK and provide lifelong rescue back-up, ensuring every dog is supported for the rest of their life.

Northumberland Dog Rescue is an established, volunteer-led charity dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming dogs across Northumberland and surrounding areas. Working closely with local authorities, veterinary practices, and neighbouring welfare organisations, the charity is committed to giving every dog the time, care, and support they need to thrive. Hundreds of dogs have already been successfully rehomed, with a strong focus on finding lifelong homes rather than quick placements, supported by a robust adoption process. Adopters also receive ongoing post-adoption support and full rescue back-up for the dog’s lifetime, reflecting the charity’s long-term commitment to welfare. Rehoming is offered from Newcastle upon Tyne to Berwick-upon-Tweed, with exciting new projects planned to help even more dogs in the future.

Northumberland Greyhound Rescue was originally established to rehome greyhounds from independent “flapping” tracks, where welfare standards were historically lower. As conditions have improved and these tracks have become far less common, the charity now mainly rescues dogs from trainers at professional tracks across the North East. Each greyhound is given the time and care needed to transition from racing life into a loving home. Prospective adopters are welcome to visit and walk the dogs by prior arrangement, helping ensure the right match for both dog and owner. The charity is dedicated to giving every greyhound a safe, comfortable retirement as a cherished family pet.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), founded in 1824, is the oldest and largest animal welfare organisation in the world, operating across England and Wales. Funded primarily by voluntary donations, the charity rescues animals from cruelty, investigates neglect and organised animal crime, and provides advice to improve animal welfare. Its network includes rescue teams, animal hospitals, rehabilitation centres and over 150 locally run branches that support rehoming, neutering and community welfare services. Through national and international outreach, the RSPCA works to prevent cruelty and ensure animals receive the care and protection they deserve.