Local Causes
Volunteering For Dog Rescue Centres In London
Why Volunteer For A Dog Rescue Charity In London?
An estimated 10 million dogs live in the UK, according to the latest figures from leading charity PDSA, with a large number of those pets living in London. There are many reasons why dogs are given up or abandoned, while others may become lost on the capital's busy streets.
If you want to help these dogs find a new family who can give them a forever home, there are lots of dog rescue centres that will appreciate your time. Charities like this simply couldn't survive without the hours they receive from volunteers, as they aim to keep as many dogs out of harm's way as possible.
As well as the feeling of achievement you can get through volunteering, you may also find that you thoroughly enjoy your experience and meet lots of great people along the way. If you want to get involved in volunteering, London has lots of animal rescue charities that need your help.
Dog Rescue Charities In London That Need Your Support
With over 20 rehoming centres across the UK and Ireland, Dogs Trust is the biggest dog welfare charity in Britain. It receives tens of thousands of calls every year from people looking to hand over a dog, and cares for over 15,000. It's a massive job to try and find a family to rescue each of these animals, and one that couldn't be done without the help of volunteers.
You could help out at the Dogs Trust centre in Harefield, volunteer at one of its charity shops, or even rescue a dog yourself, if you're able to. Our players have raised over £14 Million to date for the charity alone.
One of the most famous charities in London when it comes to animal welfare, Battersea is well known to many outside the capital from a popular TV show that tracks its wonderful work. It's been going since 1860 though, providing a vital animal sanctuary in London for so many dogs over the years. Now, the organisation takes care of more than 7,000 dogs and cats each year, which requires a lot of help from volunteers.
Whether you want to work closely with the animals or focus on matching prospective families with a new pet, the Battersea centre is located in south west London, less than half a mile from the River Thames. From taking on a new family member to fostering dogs temporarily and helping with the charity's general running, there are lots of ways to help when you volunteer.
The National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) was established in 1971 and is one of the UK's leading animal welfare charities. It has five rescue centres in south east England, including in Watford, Milton Keynes and Essex. There's also a charity shop in Watford, which raises funds to keep the charity going.
Whether you want to volunteer at the shop or at one of the rehoming centres, you can make a real difference with your time. From working directly with the dogs it looks after, to helping with gardening or office tasks, NAWT relies on around 500 volunteers and is always on the lookout for more.
International Fund For Animal Welfare
Dedicated to helping animals both at home and abroad, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) gets involved in all sorts of activities. From helping domestic abuse victims find safety with their pets, to stopping wildlife crime internationally in places like Myanmar, you will find you get a varied and rewarding experience volunteering with this charity.
Having provided treatment to more than 20 million pets over a century of dedicated service, PDSA is the UK's leading vet charity. It supports around 300,000 pet owners every year, treating almost half a million animals.
There are lots of ways you can get involved with PDSA, whether you want to volunteer in one of its pet hospitals or charity shops in London, work in an office, or help out at fundraising events. Our players have also contributed - they've raised over £11 Million for the charity to date.
Last updated: 05/03/2021
