If you live in South East England and want to adopt a dog, below we’ve featured 8 top dog rescues in Hampshire.
1. Second Chance Animal Rescue (Southampton)
Based in Southampton, Hampshire, Second Chance Animal Rescue is a small charity that rescues dogs, cats, and other small animals. They have been operating successfully for over three decades and their dedicated volunteers strive to find new homes for as many animals as possible.
Before being listed for adoption, all dogs are microchipped, vaccinated, and given any necessary medical care. Learn more about the available dogs and the adoption process here. Second Chance Animal Rescue receives no government funding – consider donating here.
2. St Francis Animal Welfare (Eastleigh)
St Francis Animal Welfare is an animal rescue charity and shelter based in Eastleigh, Hampshire. Their hard-working volunteers help to rescue and re-home dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, birds, and more. Some of the rescued animals are strays that were unclaimed by their owners, while others are surrendered by owners who can no longer care for them.
Before being listed for adoption, dogs undergo rehabilitation, are vaccinated, spayed/neutered, microchipped, and treated for fleas and worms. If you’re interested in adopting, view the available dogs here (keep in mind that new dogs are available frequently!). An adoption fee of £250 for puppies and £150-200 for dogs is required. You can also donate to St Francis Animal Welfare here.
3. Hairy Hounz (Southampton)
Hairy Hounz is an animal rescue charity based in Southampton, Hampshire, that was founded in 2015. Dogs in need are rescued and placed in foster care, provided with medical care, and have any behavioral issues addressed by a dog behaviorist. Once rescued dogs are physically and mentally healthy, they are made available for adoption.
An adoption fee of £200 is required for each dog – this helps to cover the cost of vaccinations, microchipping, a veterinary assessment, spay/neuter surgery, as well as flea/worm treatment. Learn more about the dogs available for adoption here. If you’re not able to adopt, you can also consider fostering a dog, or donating to Hairy Hounz here.
4. FurBuddies Animal Rehoming Centre (Lymington)
Based in Lymington, Hampshire, FurBuddies Animal Rehoming Centre is a relatively new animal rescue established in 2018 that relies entirely on foster homes to house their rescue dogs, which come from all corners of the UK. Once the dogs have settled into their foster home and are nursed back to health, they are made available for adoption.
While in foster care, all dogs are vaccinated, microchipped, and treated for worms. Learn more about the dogs currently available for adoption here (if none are available – keep checking back). If you see a dog you like, complete an application and someone from FurBuddies Animal Rehoming Centre will reach out to you. You can also donate using the yellow button on this page.
5. German Shepherd Rescue South (Fareham)
If you believe a German Shepherd might be the perfect dog for your family, pay a visit to German Shepherd Rescue South. Based in Fareham, Hampshire, this small charity cares for rescued German Shepherds that are either abandoned, abused, or unwanted strays. Where possible, they reunite dogs with their owners. When this cannot be achieved, dogs are placed in foster care or with an adoptive new owner.
The dogs currently available for adoption can be viewed here. Please note that you need to be living in the Hampshire area in order to adopt. All dogs undergo a temperament evaluation to help ensure the best possible match is found for each dog. For other ways to help German Shepherd Rescue South, consider donating here.
6. Pro Dogs Direct (Aldershot)
Pro Dogs Direct is an Aldershot-based rescue group in Hampshire. They give abandoned, neglected, or unwanted dogs a second chance in a new, loving home, and rely on fosters to care for dogs in the interim so that they don’t become stressed out in overcrowded shelter environments.
Adoption fees for each dog vary depending on age, breed, health status, and other factors. If you’re interested in adopting, view the available dogs here and submit an application for any that you think would be a great fit for your family. You can also consider fostering a dog, or learn more about donating to Pro Dogs Direct here.
7. Blue Cross Southampton Rehoming Centre (Southampton)
The Blue Cross Southampton Rehoming Centre first opened their doors in 1988 and cares for dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. Rescued animals are housed at the centre until a new home can be found. Blue Cross Southampton also has a “Home Direct” program, where they work with owners who can no longer keep their pets. A new home is found for pets while they are still in their existing home, eliminating the need to place animals in already strained and stressful shelters.
View the dogs currently available for adoption here. Adoption fees vary, but typically dogs are available for £200 and puppies four months of age or younger are available for £250. You can also learn more about donating to Blue Cross here.
8. Phoenix Rehoming (Havant)
First founded in 2016, Phoenix Rehoming is an animal rescue based in Havant, Hampshire, that adopts dogs to new families across both England and Wales. Phoenix Rehoming relies entirely on the hard work of dedicated volunteers to save as many dogs as possible and give them a second chance.
Before being listed for adoption, all dogs are microchipped, vaccinated, treated for parasites, and examined by a veterinarian. View the available dogs here and visit each dog’s page to view specific information such as adoption fees. If you’re not ready to adopt, you can also donate to Phoenix Rehoming here.
