About Oakwood Dog Rescue
Oakwood Dog Rescue was founded in 2009 to help dogs find their forever homes.
We are based in Hull, East Yorkshire and specialise in rehoming ex-street dogs from overseas as well as UK dogs.
Our goal is ‘One Home Only’ – we do not operate on finding homes as fast as possible, instead we match our dogs to the best homes we can to ensure they stay in the home they have found.
Spurred on by the generosity and enthusiasm of all our supporters, Oakwood are now in a position to be able to help a greater number of dogs than ever before and have been able to specialise in the rehoming of dogs from overseas as well as UK dogs.
Oakwood Dog Rescue was set up in 2009 by Gill Williams alongside her dog training business, Oakwood Canine Services, and began by taking in and rehoming a dog that a training client could no longer care for. Early in Gill's rescue journey she visited a kill shelter in Romania and whilst witnessing the poor treatment of Romanian dogs first-hand, she became determined to save as many dogs from euthanasia and the brutality they faced in the shelters. Since then, Gill has passed on her experience and knowledge to the rescue team, and is now an active trustee of the charity.
Oakwood has housed and rehomed hundreds of Romanian dogs into the best homes possible and in recent years the charity has expanded to working with dogs from Cyprus, Greece and Bosnia, as well as taking in and rehoming dogs from UK rescues and owner surrenders.
Regardless of the dog's background, the goal is to rehabilitate and re-home them to loving homes where they can live out the rest of their years in a happy, loving environment.
The charity is privately funded and receives no government or large scale support. The sheer generosity of the public is the only reason the rescue can continue its work. The centre costs around £15k+ per month to run. To raise this money, fundraising events are held as often as possible at our fundraising site The Dog Hub. Currently there are no surplus funds, and the centre is operating on a month by month basis. Your help and support is critical to our survival.
In 2020 Oakwood Dog Rescue has opened The Dog Hub at Oakwood Dog Rescue, our fundraising site which hosts structured dog play sessions, a second hand dog shop, dog-friendly cafe and dog shows throughout the year. In 2021 our charity shop in Hallgate, Cottingham was opened and our second shop in Hull town centre was opened in March 2022. Proceeds from these businesses goes directly towards caring for the dogs at Oakwood Dog Rescue.
The design and setup of the rescue facilities ensure the highest welfare for dogs in our care. The centre is made up of individual kennels and a number of rooms, halls, yards and fields where the dogs can run, play and rest together all day.
Any dogs that are not able to mix with other dogs have their own kennel and are taken out for up to 4 walks each day. This is only possible because of brilliant volunteers who give up their time to take these dogs for walks.
All kennelled dogs are given kongs, chews and other forms of enrichment to keep them busy. Each kennel is equipped with a bed or crate to make them more homely and comfortable. To help keep the dogs as relaxed, music is played throughout the day and we have plug in diffusers around the centre to help minimise barking and reduce stress. We also operate on a closed-kennel policy, meaning that members of the publc are unable to walk around the kennels which can stress the dogs out and frighten very timid rescues, instead our viewing of the dogs are by appointment only, following a successful application, as a result our kennels are fairly quiet in comparison to many rescues. You view our current residents online and learn all about them before making an application, you can do this by clicking here.
The rescue centre is open with the fact that we do not operate a 'no put to sleep' policy. For dogs that are severely mentally or physically ill, it is sometimes the kinder option to end their suffering rather than resign them to living in a kennel for the next 10 years. Luckily since the rescue began in 2009, we've only had to make this difficult decision a handful of times and it is never an easy one. All options regarding training and potential re-homing are exhausted before considering this.
There are no time limits or deadline dates for a healthy dog to be re-homed. Time will be spent working with them to make them more desirable to families.
Each dog will be played with and socialised on a daily basis and we aim to teach each of them a level of basic obedience if they are confident enough.
Donations: Please place any donations in our designated green bins (near reception and the kennel block door), for drop off of cash donations please ring the bell and await assistance.
Adoption enquiries: A member of the adoption team is not always available as they may be in pre-booked appointments. If a member of staff is not available please send an email to: adoptions@oakwooddogrescue.co.uk
Our Mission
Oakwood Dog Rescue is a non profit organisation for underdogs. Those who are abandoned, homeless and unwanted animals primarily dogs who come from homes, shelters, vets, boarding facilities or the streets. Placing them in the best possible permanent loving homes. Oakwood Dog Rescue promotes health and rehabilitation for animals during their care and future placements. Increase public awareness of the value of animals as pets and bring to the fore the over population issue taking positive steps to act within their sphere of influence.
Oakwood Dog Rescue aims:
1. To give each animal as much time as necessary to find a secure loving permanent home within reasonable medical/behavioural limitations.
2. To complete a home check by an Oakwood Dog Rescue before allowing an animal to be homed.
3. To Spay/Neuter any Dog/Bitch before they are rehomed, or they are placed on a neutering contract.
4. To vaccinate & microchip appropriately any animal which comes under the care of Oakwood Dog Rescue.
5. To provide proactive Veterinary care for any animal under the care of Oakwood Dog Rescue
6. To treat any internal or external parasite for any animal which is in need under the care of Oakwood Dog Rescue.
7. To uphold the laws of the United Kingdom and the encouragement and assistance in the enforcement of all laws for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
8. To make every effort to make sure that homes and families are the best possible match for that particular animal.
9. To provide ongoing support for all dogs rehomed to ensure they stay within their current home and are not returned due to behavioural problems.
10. To interview and monitor volunteers working within Oakwood Dog Rescue.