All our policies hinge on this goal...
One Home Only - it is not about re-homing dogs as fast as possible but ensuring they stay in the home they have found. This process is started with our unique adoption package.
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.
Great things can be achieved with the help of our many generous supporters working together towards a common goal, creating more happiness for every dog that ends up at Oakwood Dog Rescue.
Operating since 2009, the rescue helps all dogs tthey can, of any breed or age including those with special needs or behaviour issues. As mentioned above 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 £11k per month to run. To raise this money, fundraising events are held as often as possible. 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 two new business ventures: Happy Paws Spa at Oakwood Dog Rescue and The Dog Hub at Oakwood Dog Rescue. All proceeds from these businesses will go towards caring for the dogs at Oakwood Dog Rescue and helping the centre grow.
The rescue has capacity to care for up to 30 dogs at any one time. 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. Our network of foster homes provides invaluable care for a number of dogs during their time in rescue.
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 as possible, music is played throughout the day and we have plug in diffusers around the centre to help minimise barking and reduce stress. As a result our kennels are fairly quiet in comparison to many rescues.
The dogs we take in come from all sorts of backgrounds; from owners who are simply unable to care for them, to the streets of Romania. You can follow the journey of many of our rescues on our facebook page.
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.