RESCUE DOGS AND WHY MAISEY DAISEY SUPPORTS THEM

Maisey Daisey are super passionate about dogs, and rescue dogs in particular. As we have four rescue dogs of our own in our household, we decided that, as a business, we wanted to give back to the rescues. That’s why we donate 10% of the profit from every sale to dog rescue.

Read on to find out what the 10 most common breeds of dog found in rehoming shelters in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are, which celebrities and famous faces have adopted rescue dogs of their own, what you need to rehome your own rescue dog, and which rescues we support through our donations from your purchases.

The 10 most common breeds and types of dogs found in UK rehoming shelters

Dog breeds go in and out of fashion, I’m afraid to say, but do you know what the most common breeds and types of dogs found in UK rehoming shelters are?

According to Pets4Homes (see https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice/the-most-common-breeds-and-types-of-dogs-found-in-uk-rehoming-shelters.html) and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the most common breeds and types of dogs found in UK rehoming shelters are Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Japanese Akitas, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Lurchers, Greyhounds, Border Collies, Terriers, and your hybrid, mixed breed so-called Mongrels or “mutts”.

Pets4Homes say:

“A large proportion of the dogs that end up in rehoming centres and being cared for by shelters while awaiting their new forever home, end up there because their original owners simply found themselves unable to manage the dog that they took on, or had not done enough research about the specific needs and issues surrounding their breed of choice.”

And:

“Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has even gone so far as to collate the data of the ten most commonly seen dog breeds and types that pass through their doors, in an attempt to educate prospective owners about these breeds and highlight the plight of homeless dogs and what is involved in caring for them.”

Those are the 9 breeds mentioned above, plus mongrels, which makes 10.

UK celebrities who have rehomed Rescue Dogs

A few of the UK celebrities who have rehomed Rescue Dogs include Irish comedian and broadcaster Graham Norton, who is the Owner of two dogs - Bailey, the labradoodle, and Madge, the terrier. As a frequent promotor of dogs in need of a home on his TV show, Graham Norton clearly practices what he preaches when it comes to rescue dogs, as he adopted both of his canine companions from rescue shelters.

Comedian, writer and broadcaster Alan Davies has also rescued and rehomed dogs, mentioning it on QI. Alan also presented the long-running Channel 5 series The Dog Rescuers (sometimes known as The Dog Rescuers with Alan Davies), a TV programme that followed the great work of the RSPCA.

Other famous faces in the UK who rehomed rescue dogs include the late Paul O’Grady, who rescued from Battersea dogs’ home and presented For the Love of Dogs, which was set in Battersea Dogs & Cats Home too; Lily Allen, who also adopted from Battersea Dogs home in 2008 and urged others to do the same; former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who rescued a puppy recovered from a breeder in South Wales by Friends of Animals Wales; and Queen Camilla, who has welcomed rescue dogs into the royal circle, also adopting from Battersea Dogs Home. Queen Camilla is also a patron of Battersea.

Some more notable UK celebrity rescue dog owners and adopters include Amanda Holden, who has been a champion of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home for over 10 years and who owns a rescue dog called Rudie (as well as a rescue cat called Muffy); Declan Donnelly, who owns a rescued Dachshund named Rocky; and actor Orlando Bloom, who adopted a black Saluki mix named Sidi.

But, you don’t have to be a celebrity or a famous person to rehome a rescue dog. In principle, anyone can do it. However, there are some caveats and key things to bear in mind before you can give a rescue dog a new forever home.

Thinking of rehoming a rescue dog? Some key points to consider

As the Vetsure website says (https://www.vetsure.com/rehoming-a-rescue-dog/) “one of the simplest things to consider before rehoming a rescue dog is whether now is the right time for you to rescue”. Timing is important. If there’s too much going on in your day-to-day life then it’s probably not a good time to bring a dog into the household.

So, “if you are planning a holiday, a house move, a new baby or a new job within the coming months, it might be a good idea to postpone your adoption until all of these distractions are out of the way.”

That said, if “you do have enough time to give to a rescue dog, the next consideration should be what type of dog is right for you. Consider how much exercise you can offer your new dog, what level of dog-handling experience you have, and whether you need a dog that is comfortable with other pets or small children. For example, if you live in a busy city with small children and other pets, adopting a Border Collie that has only ever lived outside on a farm is likely to be a very bad idea!” Make sure that you are adopting the right dog for you, and that your home environment and where you live is right for the dog.

The next consideration is making where you live as dog-friendly and welcoming as possible. This is a must.

As Vetsure say, “as well as food and drink, your dog also needs a safe space to call [her or] his own. This space is where [she or] he will sleep, but is also where [she or] he can learn to go when [she or] he wants some quiet time.”

We can absolutely help you with that. Maisey Daisey’s range of luxury dog cave beds, and cocoon dog beds give your rescue dog a place to feel warm and cosy, as well as somewhere relaxed and completely safe to chill out and nap. Add dog blankets and dog bed cushions and you’re all set.

Next, make sure that you have enough of the right sort of dog food in, plus some treats to reward good behaviour and make your rescue dog feel loved. A dog toy will also help to entertain your rescue dog and encourage interaction with you, in a game of fetch, for example. And, when it’s time for walkies, a dog collar, dog lead and dog traffic handle all help to keep your new dog beside you in busy situations outside. Not forgetting plenty of poo bags too! You’ll definitely be needing those, so make sure that you stock up on them. Preferably biodegradable ones.

Lastly, and this is super important, especially if you have young kids in the house, “before you bring your new dog home, make sure that you talk about [her or] his arrival with all members of your family. It’s important to explain, to children in particular, that the dog will be very nervous about coming to a new home, and will need plenty of time and space to settle in. A house full of over-excited children, or visitors dropping in to see the new addition, can be overwhelming for a dog.”  

Naturally, people will want to meet your new dog, but it’s best to wait until she or he has got used to the new surroundings, become acclimatised and is fully settled-in.

With all of the practicalities of introducing your new dog into your home taken care of, you can move onto the soft skills that you’ll need – introducing the dog to the rest of the family and visitors, bonding with your dog, house training and house rules, and establishing the daily routine. Because, “with some forward planning and plenty of patience and gentle, positive handling, a rescue dog can be every bit as rewarding as any other dog, if not more so!”

We couldn’t agree more. So much so, in fact, that we adopted four rescue dogs of our own.

So, why are we so passionate about rescue dogs?

Why Maisey Daisey we are so passionate about rescue dogs

At Maisey Daisey, we are so passionate about rescue dogs because, having four rescue dogs of our own at home, we decided we wanted to give back to the animal rescues and rehomers that had bought us so much joy.

We have four chosen dog rescues:

1. Sadies Stray Dogs, who rescue stray dogs and cats in Romania
2. Balto & Co Dog Rescue, who help unwanted dogs across the UK
3. Animal Lifeline, who are a local rescue that rehomes in Staffordshire and Cheshire, and
4. High Hopes Dog Rescue, who have rehomed over 2000 dogs since they were founded in 2018.

All four rescues believe that every dog, puppy, cat and kitten (because, let’s give cats some love too) deserve a loving human and a forever home.

Some more information about our chosen rescues

Here is some more information about our chosen rescues.

Firstly, Sadies Stray Dog Rescue.  Sadies Stray Dog Rescue are a non-profit rescue in Bacau, Romania. They are the rescue that saved our dog, Maisey Daisey, and her adopted sister, Winnie. Sadies Stray Dog Rescue strongly believe that no dog (nor other animal) should face being put down or a lifetime sat in a cage “for no reason other than they are the wrong breed”, such as those breeds highlighted earlier.

Secondly, Balto & Co Dog Rescue UK. Balto & Co Dog Rescue UK are also a non-profit rescue, in the UK this time.

Balto & Co Dog Rescue UK is the rescue our lovely boy Lenny came from. The aim of this UK-based rescue is to take in some of the more difficult to place and/or at-risk dogs. The founders have and do volunteer with numerous animal rescue charities and have witnessed first-hand what happens to dogs when they can’t be placed into rescue and rehomed. These dogs very often tend to be large breed animals who have mixed heritage, again, as we’ve seen, meaning that breed-specific rescues can’t help whilst more generic different dog breed rescues are put off by the knowledge that these animals often need more care than the average home and first-time dog owner can give.

Thirdly, Animal Lifeline. Yes, Animal Lifeline is another not-for-profit, and a voluntary group and a registered charity. Founded over 44 years ago and based in nearby Stoke-on-Trent, in our home county of Staffordshire, England. The purpose of Animal Lifeline is to save abandoned and unwanted dogs and puppies and find them new homes and loving owners, usually only in the North Staffordshire, Staffordshire Moorlands and South Cheshire areas, super local to us here at Maisey Daisey. The charity is self-supporting and relies on its own fund-raising efforts and public donations to maintain its vital dog rescue and support activities. Each year, the charity rescues and rehomes around 300 dogs and puppies, and over the years it has saved more than 11,000 of them. Consistently, there are at least 100 or more dogs in Animal Lifeline’s Serendipity Kennels, awaiting rehoming.

Last but not least is our fourth chosen dog rescue - High Hopes Dog Rescue. High Hopes Dog Rescue was founded in 2018 with “a mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome abandoned dogs in need of care”. Since their inception, they have successfully saved over 2,000 dogs, providing them with the love and support they deserve. These once-forgotten dogs have blossomed into loved and cherished family members, and we are often reminded that, sometimes, it's not just the dogs who are rescued and transformed - it's the individual dog’s adopters and new owners who go through that process too.

Whilst each of the four rescues (as well as others, of course) have made a significant impact and rehomed many thousands of dogs, the need for dog rescue services is still vast. Every year, countless more dogs need help, and with your help, goodwill and support, we can continue to make a real difference.

You can find out more about our chosen rescues here - https://maiseydaisey.com/pages/about-our-chosen-rescues

Making a difference through 10% donated from every sale

That’s why we, here at Maisey Daisey, decided that we would be an online pet supplies shop that gives back and donates to dog rescue - with 10% of the profit from each and every sale we make being donated to the four nominated dog rescues. That way, we support them through you supporting us – each time you buy your dog beds, dog blankets, dog coats, dog collars and leads, dog food and treats, and dog toys from Maisey Daisey. Genuinely, thank you so much for doing so – on behalf of us, the four rescue charities and from each dog that is rehomed. You’re the best.