Adopt a Rescue Dog in the South West

ARC Animal Rescue, officially the Sidmouth Animal Welfare and Animal Rescue Centre, has been rescuing and rehoming lost, unwanted and uncared-for dogs and cats in East Devon for more than 50 years. It was founded by Mrs Shrimpton and Miss Topsy Hindley, who remained a trustee and an inspiration to everyone until she passed away aged 108, and in 2013 the charity opened its current rescue centre with 16 kennels just outside Ottery St Mary. ARC now takes in dogs from across Devon, including Mid and North Devon and Torbay, and works hard to send every dog to its forever home in the best possible health, even when that means expensive veterinary treatment.

Animals in Distress is a community-founded animal rescue charity established in 1981 to support pets in South Devon who had lost their homes through no fault of their own. What began as a small volunteer-led effort, with animals cared for in local kennels and private homes, grew into a permanent rescue centre in Ipplepen in 1994. Today, the charity provides care and rehoming for hundreds of animals each year, including dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. With strong roots in the local community, Animals in Distress remains committed to treating every animal with dignity, kindness, and ongoing care until a safe and loving forever home is found.

Aura’s Rescue began after its founders visited Romania and witnessed the suffering of dogs in public shelters, where abuse, neglect, and abandonment were common. Inspired by a local rescuer named Aura, who cared for overlooked and long-stay dogs from her small home shelter, the team committed to helping those considered least likely to be adopted. The rescue focuses particularly on older, traumatised, and fearful dogs who have spent years waiting without hope. By bringing these dogs into foster homes in the UK, Aura’s Rescue provides patient rehabilitation, giving them the chance to adjust, heal, and finally experience safety and love.

Barking Mad Dog Rescue is a UK charity helping vulnerable and abandoned dogs in Romania find safe, loving homes. Founded after the rescue of a stray dog named Pixie in 2013, the charity has since rehomed more than 3,000 dogs in the UK and Germany and provides daily food and care for hundreds of dogs across shelters and local communities in Romania.

Bath Cats & Dogs Home is a long-established animal rehoming centre founded in 1937, caring for around 700 cats and dogs each year. The charity works closely with the public, RSPCA inspectors, police, and dog wardens to support animals across Bath, North East Somerset, and parts of Wiltshire. Alongside reuniting stray pets with their owners, Bath Cats & Dogs Home focuses on carefully matching rescue animals with suitable new homes throughout the South West. Welfare has remained central to the charity’s work for over eight decades, with adoptions managed through an appointment-based process to ensure the best outcomes for both pets and adopters.

BDRUK (Blind Dog Rescue UK) is a small charity focussed on the rescue and rehoming of blind and partially sighted dogs, BUT WE ALSO REHOME FULLY SIGHTED DOGS so please browse our dogs regardless of whether or not you would consider a dog with sight issues.

Blue Cross is one of the UK’s leading animal welfare charities, supporting sick, injured, and homeless pets since 1897. The charity works to protect vulnerable animals while helping pets and people thrive together, offering veterinary care, behavioural support, and rehoming services across the UK. Blue Cross also provides advice to pet owners, operates pet food banks, and supports pets when their owners can no longer care for them. With a long history of innovation and advocacy in animal welfare, the charity continues to promote compassionate, inclusive care to ensure pets enjoy healthy, happy lives with people who love them.

Since 1887, Bristol Animal Rescue Centre has been helping, healing and homing Bristol's vulnerable animals. As the city's oldest and largest local animal rescue charity, we care for hundreds of animals every year, providing expert veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and the chance to find a loving new home. Our on-site veterinary clinic also cares for sick and injured wildlife, while our community outreach service helps local pet owners access vital support. Affiliated with the RSPCA as an independent local branch, we receive no automatic funding from the RSPCA and rely on the generosity of our community to continue giving animals the second chances they deserve.

Bristol Dog Action Welfare Group (DAWG) is an independent dog rescue in Bristol. The group takes in dogs that need a new home, assesses them, and matches them with adopters.

Cheltenham Animal Shelter is a long-established animal welfare charity that has been helping homeless animals for nearly 100 years. Based in Gloucestershire, the charity rescues and rehomes unwanted and abandoned cats, dogs, and small animals from across the county. Originally founded by local volunteers caring for stray cats in the late 1800s, the shelter moved to its current site in 1939 and continues to expand its work today. As a member of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes, Cheltenham Animal Shelter adheres to high welfare standards while also promoting responsible pet ownership through education and community outreach.

Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home has been caring for vulnerable animals in Gloucestershire for over 80 years. Each year, the charity supports more than 1,000 animals through rehoming services and community outreach. Alongside finding loving new families for pets in need, the organisation operates subsidised veterinary clinics to assist financially vulnerable owners, ensuring no animal suffers due to cost. Through compassionate care and practical support, Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home continues to change lives—one animal at a time.

DogWatch UK is a rescue organisation dedicated to rehoming abandoned dogs from British pounds and Spain, with many dogs cared for in UK foster homes while awaiting adoption. The charity continues to rehome throughout challenging times, carefully assessing homes to ensure dogs are not left alone for long periods and can adjust successfully to family life. Some dogs remain overseas until they meet DEFRA travel requirements, with puppies required to be at least four months old before travelling to the UK. Prospective adopters must complete an application, pay a home check deposit and commit to the dog once approved, with transport to the UK arranged periodically.