Want to adopt a dog? Below we’ve compiled a list of the best dog rescue centres in East Anglia for your convenience.
1. Norfolk & Suffolk Animal Trust
While originally a police pound for retired police dogs, Norfolk & Suffolk Animal Trust in Great Yarmouth officially became a pet rescue in 1986 when Norfolk locals Nelly Jordan, Daphne Brady, Lillian Carver and Shirley Welch signed the trust deed providing stray and abandoned animals a place to find the care and haven they deserve as they await a new home.
Norfolk & Suffolk Animal Trust posts all available dogs for adoption on their website and update the site regularly as new dogs are adopted or brought into the centre. You can also help support them by shopping at their charity shop in Great Yarmouth or donating directly via their website. Contact them to make a dog viewing appointment and to find out more information on how you can become a foster family.
2. Meadowgreen Dog Rescue Centre
Meadowgreen Dog Rescue Centre has been operating out of Hales, Norfolk, since the late 1980s but has been under new ownership since 2004. As an entirely family-run centre, Meadowgreen is not a registered charity but does still rely on the donations and volunteering of the local community to support the 100+ dogs they take in and rehome every year.
All of the fur babies available for adoption are posted on their webpage and can be visited but by appointment only. Contact them to make this appointment or ask any other questions you might have about this private rescue centre nestled in the heart of Norfolk.
3. PACT Animal Sanctuary
Considered the largest ‘all animal’ rescue centre in East Anglia People for Animal Care Trust (PACT) in Hingham, Norfolk, was established in 1995 to take in the animals that local organisations could not, either because the animal’s needs were out of their remit, or they were simply over-populated. As a registered charity, they rely entirely on support from the community, so consider donating online or visit their charity shops to support their mission to care for animals and educate the public.
While they take in all types of animals, dogs are the more plentiful of the animals at the rescue centre; if you’re interested in rehoming one, check out their available dogs for adoption on their website. As all visits to the centre are by appointment only, you’ll have to contact them to visit your potential new family member.
4. Suffolk Animal Rescue
Although Suffolk Animal Rescue started out as a national charity, founder Jayne Roberts established the rescue as a private charity in 1997 to have more freedom to provide the kind of care and support she felt the rescue animals needed. Suffolk Animal Rescue has kennels located all over Suffolk, with their dog kennels based at Primrose Hill in Hemingstone.
All dogs available for adoption are featured on their website with the dog’s name, known history, and any restrictions on adoption. While Suffolk Animal Rescue is supported in large part by their charity shop in Ipswich, they rely heavily on public donations to help feed and treat the dogs and cats they rescue. Contact them to find out other ways you can help.
5. Canine Welfare Centre
As part of the Pampered Pets boarding business in Woodbridge, Suffolk, Canine Welfare Centre also takes in dogs who can no longer be cared for by their owners. As the Canine Welfare Centre is not a charity, the feeding and care of these animals comes directly out of the business owners’ pockets. Donations are greatly appreciated and can be made by contacting the centre directly.
They don’t have a lot of dogs available for adoption, but you can find the ones available for rehoming on their website. Contact them to see how you can stop by to visit your potential new furry friend!
6. Broken Halo Animal Rescue
Kristy Williamson established the Broken Hale Animal Rescue in Suffolk to save those animals at-risk of euthanasia due to being abandoned or unable to be cared for. While the rescue has emergency boarding kennels, most of the animals in their care are fostered through local families and treated by local community veterinarians and dog training facilities.
Broken Halo Animal Rescue not only helps animals in the UK but also animals in other countries where shelters and pounds are overrun. You can see all the dogs—UK or otherwise—available for adoption on their website. If you can’t adopt but still want to help, check out how you can donate your time or money in support of Kristy’s mission to help as many animals as possible find forever homes. Contact her for more information on this amazing mission.
7. F.A.I.T.H. Animal Rescue
Located northeast of Norwich, on the North Sea Coast, F.A.I.T.H. stands for the rescue centre’s mission: “for animals in trouble [there’s] hope.” As the centre focuses on the mental health and wellbeing of their animals, they have open grounds for their dogs to run and socialise, as well as covered kennels to keep the dogs safe from inclement weather.
While they do not feature their available dogs on their website, they offer a ‘dog matching’ service for anyone who applies to adopt from them. You can donate directly to their cause or support them by purchasing items from their charity shops in Norfolk. Contact them to find out more information about this great animal rescue.
8. Greek Animal Rescue
Established by Vesna Jones in 1989, Greek Animal Rescue works to help abused or abandoned animals from Greece find loving homes in the UK. While they take in all sorts of animals, dogs have become the most prevalent rescue animal at their centre near Woodbridge in Suffolk. All dogs taken into the rescue are cleared medically and have a valid ‘pet passport’ before being listed on their website for potential new families to adopt.
You can support the charity through monetary donations or by providing them with materials or even volunteering your time. Contact them for more information about how you can help Greek Animal Rescue in their mission.
9. Greyhound Trust Suffolk
If you are looking specifically for a greyhound to adopt, then consider the Greyhound Trust in Capel St. Mary, Suffolk. As an independent trust since 2010, they rescue retired racing dogs from Newmarket and other dog tracks, as well as any greyhound who can no longer be cared for by their owners.
All the greyhounds looking for a home and ready to adopt can be found on their website. You can also donate money, materials, or time to the trust through their donation page. Contact them via the information on their homepage to find out how you can stop by and see these beautiful greyhounds and give them a new home!
