Adopt a Rescue Dog in South Yorkshire

Barnsley Animal Rescue Charity (BARC) is one of Yorkshire’s largest rescue charities, founded in 1995 at a time when many centres still euthanised healthy animals. Since then, the charity has transformed the lives of thousands of abandoned pets, operating a no-destruction approach in its local area. With kennels, a cattery, and a rabbit sanctuary run by welfare experts, BARC provides both physical and behavioural rehabilitation before rehoming. The team offers lifelong guidance and support to adopters through its commitment known as “Infinity Care,” ensuring every animal and owner receives ongoing help.

Run entirely by a dedicated team of volunteers, including trustees Julie, Jo, and Vikki, this rescue is driven by a shared commitment to helping dogs in the local community find their best possible life. With no paid staff, every effort is fuelled by passion, experience, and a genuine belief that every dog deserves the right home. The charity’s roots go back to the early 1990s, when Julie and Jo successfully rescued and rehomed almost a thousand dogs that would otherwise have been euthanised in council pounds. Today, the rescue focuses on using foster homes to truly understand each dog’s individual needs, allowing time for assessment, training, and support. This thoughtful, hands-on approach ensures dogs are matched with homes where they can thrive, with ongoing advice and backup always available.

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.

The Cliffe Kennels offers professional boarding for dogs, cats and small animals within five acres of countryside, providing secure and comfortable accommodation. Pets stay in individual heated sleeping quarters with enclosed runs, or in the indoor “Posh Paws” area, depending on their needs. With 24/7 staffing all year round, daily walks, supervised playtime and attentive, fully trained staff, each animal receives personalised care in a safe environment. Experienced in both rescue and boarding, The Cliffe Kennels welcomes prospective clients to visit and view the facilities to ensure the right fit for their pets.

Friends of Akitas Trust (UK) rescues and rehomes Akitas, with dogs usually living in foster homes while they wait for a new family. The charity matches each dog with a home that understands the breed.

Helping Yorkshire Poundies (HYPS) was founded in 2012 by Amanda Pollard Saville after she became aware of the fate facing dogs on death row in overcrowded pounds. What began as a one-person effort—personally funding boarding, veterinary care, and transport—quickly grew into a dedicated team as others joined the mission. The charity provides sanctuary, protection, and treatment for abandoned or stray dogs at immediate risk of euthanasia, using foster homes and emergency boarding kennels until a rescue space or forever home is found. While primarily focused on Yorkshire, HYPS will also help dogs outside the region when resources allow. At its heart, the charity exists to give vulnerable dogs the time, safety, and second chance they would not otherwise have.

Mayflower Sanctuary was established on 6 June 2003 by volunteers from Animals in Need 2000 after years of fundraising and dedication to creating a permanent rescue facility. What began as a modest site with minimal amenities has grown into a well-equipped sanctuary designed to provide comfort and care for animals in need. Over the years, generous bequests and charitable funding have enabled significant improvements, including a welcoming reception area and modern cattery blocks. Today, Mayflower Sanctuary continues to go from strength to strength, offering a safe haven and a fresh start for vulnerable animals.

Rain Rescue began with just three cattery rooms and the use of boarding kennels, steadily expanding to meet growing areas of need before registering as a charity in 2006. Formerly known as Rotherham Animals In Need and later Rescuing Animals In Need, the charity has continued to evolve while maintaining a strong commitment to animal welfare as a full member of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH). Today, Rain Rescue supports homeless and abandoned cats and dogs by providing safe shelter, medical care, and carefully matched new homes. The charity also helps pet owners facing unexpected crises by supporting the rehoming of much-loved family pets when circumstances change. Guided by the motto “For pets and people, through every storm,” Rain Rescue remains dedicated to caring for both animals and the communities around them.

Rotherham Dog Rescue specialises in the rehabilitation of abandoned, abused, and unwanted dogs that need extra understanding and expertise before moving on to their forever homes. The charity is committed to giving every dog the life they deserve, taking as much time as needed to support recovery and build confidence. All dogs are fully neutered, vaccinated, wormed, and microchipped, with thorough home checks carried out to ensure the right match between dog and adopter. Experienced volunteers work closely with the dogs through one-to-one training, supported by an in-house canine psychologist who assesses behaviour and offers ongoing advice before and after adoption. With purpose-built, heated kennels and secure exercise and agility areas, the rescue provides a safe, stimulating environment where dogs can truly thrive.

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.

Stronger Together Animal Rescue (STAR) is a registered charity (1168941) dedicated to relieving the suffering of abandoned, stray and neglected dogs and cats in Cyprus. Working through a network of trustees and volunteers in both the UK and Cyprus, the organisation rescues animals from shelters and pounds, providing rehabilitation and finding them loving homes in the UK. STAR promotes humane and compassionate treatment of animals and follows a policy of never euthanising unless it is the only humane option. Through rescue work, adoption support and ongoing guidance for adopters and foster carers, the charity helps vulnerable animals escape cruelty and begin a safer new life.