Our story

A dream, a charity shop,
a chance at a new life.

Angelena on opening day – 2013
How it started

A simple dream
in 2013.

Rainbow Dog Rescue began with one woman and a simple belief: that every dog in the local area deserves a chance at a forever home, whatever their shape, size or story.

Angelena, our Founder & Trustee, started small. A few foster spaces, a phone that wouldn’t stop ringing, and a stubborn refusal to turn dogs away.

More than a decade later, not much has changed. We’re still volunteer-led, we still take our time to do things properly, and we still answer every call.

— with love, the Rainbow team
★ The engine room

Our charity shop
pays the vet bills.

The jumpers, books and coffee tables that pass through our high-street shop pay for food, vaccinations, neutering and emergency care for the dogs in our charge.

Pop in to drop off donations, browse a beautifully chaotic selection of pre-loved finds, or just say hello. Our volunteers will be delighted to see you.

★ Pre-loved goods ♥ Run by volunteers ✿ Donations welcome
How we work

Forever homes,
not just rehoming.

We don’t race to fill beds. We take the time to understand each dog, listen to adopters, and only place a dog when we believe the match is right.

Our dogs live in foster homes rather than kennels. Foster life shows us who they really are, and it means a dog comes to you already used to a sofa, a routine and the sound of a kettle.

  • 1Every dog, assessed. We get to know each dog’s health, temperament and needs before rehoming.
  • 2No time limits. Dogs stay with us until the right home is found.
  • 3Lifetime support. Our door is open for advice long after adoption day.
By the numbers

A decade of second chances.

All from donations, the charity shop, and the time given freely by our volunteer team. No government funding, no paid staff.

2013
Year we started
100+
Dogs rehomed
100%
Volunteer-run

Help us do more.

Adopt, foster, volunteer or donate. Whichever you choose, a dog somewhere will be glad you did.

Adopt