Rescue guide

The best dog rescues in Bournemouth and Dorset, compared

There is no single best dog rescue in Bournemouth or Dorset: the right one depends on the dog you want, who lives with you, your garden and how far you can travel. These are the rescues within about 25 miles of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole whose dogs we list, side by side, with their rules in their own words.

By the LocalPetFinder Team · Checked 1 November 2026

The short answer

The two rescues closest to Bournemouth whose dogs we list are Waggy Tails Rescue, based in Wimborne, about 4 miles away, which rehomes only to people living in East Dorset or West Hampshire, and Staffie & Stray Rescue, a Dorset charity for harder to home dogs, mostly Staffies. Margaret Green Animal Rescue has its dog centre at Lincoln Farm, Winterborne Kingston, about 14 miles, and Greyhound Lifeline, near Southampton, asks £175 for a greyhound. None of these publishes a fee for other dogs, so ask when you apply.

Rescue adoption fees: Each rescue sets its own adoption fee. Dogs Trust charges £300 for a puppy or adult dog in England, Wales and Scotland, and Blue Cross fees start from £235 for dogs aged 8 or over and £335 for dogs aged 1 to 7. The fee usually covers neutering, microchipping and first vaccinations, and each rescue confirms its own fee.
Rescues around Bournemouth that publish a fee: Greyhound Lifeline asks a £175 donation for a greyhound, with a £50 non-refundable holding deposit taken off it on adoption day. Waggy Tails Rescue, Staffie & Stray Rescue ("adoption fees apply"), Margaret Green Animal Rescue (discussed when you reserve) and the two Southampton rescues publish no figure.
Older Staffies: Senior Staffy Club, which rehomes across the UK, asks £120 for one older dog and £180 for a bonded pair, with 5 weeks' free insurance.
Buying a puppy: Blue Cross puts the cost of buying a puppy at £400 to £3,000, before food, insurance and vet bills.
Owning a dog: PDSA puts the minimum lifetime cost of a dog at £6,200 to £18,800, depending on the breed (its 2024 figures, not counting buying the dog).

46 dogs listed in and around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole today →

Dog rescues near Bournemouth compared

Every rescue below has dogs we list within about 25 miles of the centre of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council area. Click a name to see the dogs it has listed with us today, or follow the link in its section below to the rescue's own page. Each rescue runs its own application, home check and fee: we don't rehome dogs ourselves.

Rescue	Where	Dogs	How you adopt
Waggy Tails Rescue	Based in Wimborne (registered at Canford Magna), about 4 miles; rehomes only within East Dorset or West Hampshire	Dogs, plus some rabbits and guinea pigs	Adoption pack, application with a form from your vet, a home checker visit, then a monthly induction meeting where the dogs are presented
Staffie & Stray Rescue	A Dorset charity; the dogs we list are filed at Ferndown, about 4 miles	Mainly Staffies, and other dogs that are hard to home	Adoption form by email or post, a home check and chat, several meetings, then a contract on adoption day
Margaret Green Animal Rescue	Lincoln Farm, Winterborne Kingston, near Blandford, about 14 miles (its dog centre)	Dogs at Lincoln Farm; cats and small animals at Church Knowle	The form on a dog's profile, a phone call, a home visit or Zoom call, references, then meetings at the centre
Greyhound Lifeline	Kennels on the edge of Southampton, about 24 miles	Greyhounds only	Pre-homing questionnaire, a meeting by appointment, reserve, then a home check
Second Chance Animal Rescue (Southampton)	Mansbridge, Southampton, about 24 miles	Dogs, cats and small animals	Contact it first: viewing is by appointment
Hampshire Paws Animal Rescue	Foster homes in Hampshire; the dogs we list are filed at Southampton, about 24 miles	Dogs, cats and rabbits	An application form for the species you want

How each rescue near Bournemouth works

The table is in rough order of distance. Here is what each one asks of you, in its own words where it matters.

Waggy Tails Rescue, Wimborne

A dog rescue charity started in 1994, based in Wimborne and registered at Canford Magna, about 4 miles from Bournemouth. It rehomes only within East Dorset and West Hampshire, and its adoption page says "You must live within East Dorset or West Hampshire", so check that your address falls in its area before you call.

You call or contact it for an adoption pack, then return the completed application with a form from your vet. One of its home checkers comes to talk to the family about owning a rescue dog, and only then do you come to see whether it has a suitable dog. Its monthly induction meeting is part of its adoption criteria, "a must for first timers and experienced dog owners": it is held at Kinson Community Centre in Pelhams Park, and the dogs are presented from 2pm.

Hours alone: "Dogs must not be left more than 4 hours a day".
Children: "No children under 6 years old".
Garden: "You must have a secure rear garden".
Other dogs: it won't home a dog where there is already an unneutered dog in residence.

Staffie & Stray Rescue, Dorset

A Dorset charity founded in April 2014 that takes in mainly Staffordshire Bull Terriers and specialises in more difficult dogs, though it says it will never turn away other breeds that need help. The dogs we list from it are filed at Ferndown, about 4 miles north. It is predominantly looking for pet-free homes, and if you want a dog that can go off lead, play with other dogs or live with a cat, expect a waiting list.

Its rehoming programme starts with an adoption or fostering form, sent by email or post. A home check and an informal chat follow, then you and your family meet the dog, perhaps several times, and you sign a contract on adoption day. It asks for applicants "local to the Bournemouth area" and doesn't rehome to families with children under 6. Every dog is flea treated, wormed, microchipped, vaccinated and neutered, and it pays for the operation if a dog is too young while in its care. It says adoption fees apply but publishes no figure.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue, Lincoln Farm

The charity's dog centre is at Lincoln Farm, Bere Road, Winterborne Kingston, near Blandford, about 14 miles from Bournemouth, open by appointment only unless you are visiting the shop or dropping off donations. Its Church Knowle centre in the Isle of Purbeck, about 11 miles, rehomes cats and small animals, and a third centre is in West Devon.

How it works: you fill in the form on a dog's profile, the team arranges a phone call about the dog's needs and your lifestyle, then a Zoom call or a home visit. It asks for a vet reference, checks your address and, if you rent, asks your landlord to confirm. You meet the dog, sometimes visit again to get to know it and introduce your family or dog, and pay the fee and sign the paperwork on the day it goes home. The fee is discussed when you reserve, and it covers neutering, vaccinations, worming and flea treatment, health checks and microchipping.

Greyhound Lifeline, Southampton

A greyhound charity whose kennels are on the edge of Southampton, about 24 miles away. Its adoption page asks you to fill in a pre-homing questionnaire first; it then talks to you about suitable greyhounds, or puts you on a waiting list, for example if you need a greyhound that could live with a cat. You meet the dogs by appointment, can hold one for 24 hours to think, and have a home check once you reserve.

It checks your working hours, wants fences and gates at least 6 feet (2 metres) high, asks about children, other pets and your ability to pay vet bills, needs your letting company's agreement if you rent, and wants adopters to be at least 21. Its greyhounds are neutered and have had dental work before they go. It asks a £175 donation, with a £50 non-refundable holding deposit taken off it on the day, and includes a leather collar, lead and muzzle.

Second Chance Animal Rescue and Hampshire Paws, Southampton

Second Chance Animal Rescue has kennels and catteries at Mansbridge, Southampton, about 24 miles away, and rehomes dogs, cats and small animals. Contact it first, as viewing is by appointment; its animals are vaccinated and microchipped before they go, and it publishes no fee.

Hampshire Paws Animal Rescue keeps its animals in foster homes around Hampshire, and the dogs we list from it are filed at Southampton. You fill in its application form for dogs or cats, and it says its fees vary with the species, age and health of the animal.

How to choose a rescue near Bournemouth

Start with the dog, not the rescue: our Bournemouth dogs page lists every dog with each rescue, so filter by size, age or breed and see who has it. Then check five things on the rescue's own page:

Where you live. Waggy Tails rehomes only within East Dorset and West Hampshire, and Staffie & Stray looks for applicants local to the Bournemouth area.
Children. Waggy Tails and Staffie & Stray won't rehome to homes with children under 6; ask the others about the dog you like.
Your working day. Waggy Tails won't place a dog that would be left more than 4 hours a day, and Greyhound Lifeline asks how long a dog would be alone.
Other pets. Staffie & Stray mostly wants pet-free homes, and Waggy Tails won't place a dog with an unneutered resident dog.
Your garden and fences. Waggy Tails needs a secure rear garden, and Greyhound Lifeline fences of at least 6 feet.

Christchurch, Poole and the rest of Dorset

If you live in Poole or Christchurch, the same rescues apply: they are all in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area or within a short drive of it, and our Bournemouth dogs page covers all three towns. Waggy Tails' area is East Dorset and West Hampshire, so check with it that your postcode is covered, and Margaret Green's Lincoln Farm and Church Knowle centres are further west in the county.

Further afield, Dogs Trust's Salisbury centre is at Newton Tony, near Salisbury, in Wiltshire; it is open for browsing on most afternoons and by appointment on Wednesday and Friday mornings. We don't list its dogs, so search on its own site.

Breed charities that cover the area

Some charities rehome across the South West or the UK but don't list their dogs with us. Forever Hounds Trust, a greyhound and lurcher charity based at Chard in Somerset, considers homes without gardens and smaller properties case by case. Senior Staffy Club rehomes older Staffies throughout the UK from kennels in Worcestershire and Staffordshire or foster homes. For a Staffy or a greyhound, see our guides to Staffy rescue and greyhound rescue near Bournemouth, and for a young dog, rescue puppies.

The law in England

Microchipping and change of keeper

In England, as everywhere in the UK, every dog must be microchipped and registered by 8 weeks old. Since 6 April 2016 a dog in England can't pass to a new keeper until it is chipped, and the new keeper must update the database (the England regulations). A rescue chips before rehoming; after adoption, keep the details up to date.

Lucy's Law: buying a puppy

In England, Lucy's Law has meant since 6 April 2020 that puppies under six months can't be sold by a third party such as a pet shop or dealer: you buy direct from the breeder or adopt from a rehoming centre.

Banned dog types

In England, it is against the law to sell, abandon, give away or breed from a banned type: the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bully. Whether a dog is banned depends on what it looks like rather than its breed or name, so no rescue can rehome one and none appear on LocalPetFinder. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is not a banned type.

XL Bully dogs

In England, since 31 December 2023 it has been illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange or abandon an XL Bully or let it stray, and since 1 February 2024 illegal to own one without a Certificate of Exemption (gov.uk: England and Wales).

Questions

Tap a question to expand

What is the nearest dog rescue to Bournemouth?

Of the rescues we list, Waggy Tails Rescue, based in Wimborne and registered at Canford Magna, about 4 miles away, and Staffie & Stray Rescue, whose dogs we file at Ferndown, also about 4 miles. Margaret Green Animal Rescue's dog centre at Lincoln Farm, Winterborne Kingston, is about 14 miles.

Is Margaret Green Animal Rescue in Dorset?

Yes. Two of its three centres are in Dorset: Lincoln Farm at Winterborne Kingston, near Blandford, rehomes dogs, and Church Knowle in the Isle of Purbeck rehomes cats and small animals. Both see adopters by appointment only, and its third centre is in West Devon.

Can I adopt from Waggy Tails if I live in Poole or Christchurch?

If your home is within its area, yes: Waggy Tails rehomes only within East Dorset or West Hampshire, so check your postcode with it first. It also asks for a secure rear garden, no children under 6, and a dog left no more than 4 hours a day, and you attend one of its monthly induction meetings.

Which dog rescues near Bournemouth publish their adoption fee?

Of the rescues we list, Greyhound Lifeline is the one that publishes a figure: it asks a £175 donation for a greyhound. Margaret Green discusses its fee when you reserve, Staffie & Stray says adoption fees apply without a figure, and Waggy Tails publishes none, so ask when you apply.

Is adopting a dog cheaper than buying a puppy?

Usually. Dogs Trust charges £300 for a puppy or adult dog in England and Greyhound Lifeline £175 for a greyhound, while Blue Cross puts a bought puppy at £400 to £3,000 before vet work such as neutering and vaccinations.

Do I need a garden to adopt a dog near Bournemouth?

For a Waggy Tails dog, yes: it asks for a secure rear garden. Greyhound Lifeline wants fences and gates of at least 6 feet, while Forever Hounds Trust considers homes without gardens for its greyhounds and lurchers, case by case.

Can I adopt a dog with young children at home?

From some rescues. Waggy Tails and Staffie & Stray Rescue don't rehome to homes with children under 6, and Greyhound Lifeline asks your children's ages before matching. Ask each rescue about the dog you like.

Can I walk in to see the dogs?

Not usually. Margaret Green's Lincoln Farm is open by appointment only, Greyhound Lifeline and Second Chance Animal Rescue see adopters by appointment, and Waggy Tails presents its dogs at its monthly induction meeting after you apply.

Is there a Staffy rescue in Bournemouth?

Yes: Staffie & Stray Rescue is a Dorset charity that takes in mainly Staffies, and the dogs we list from it are filed at Ferndown, about 4 miles away. It looks mostly for experienced, pet-free homes local to the Bournemouth area.

Keep reading

For rescues and rehoming centres

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Sources: Waggy Tails Rescue: how to adopt (process and rules) · Waggy Tails Rescue: about us · Staffie & Stray Rescue: rehoming programme · Staffie & Stray Rescue: about us · Staffie & Stray Rescue: rehoming criteria (posted 9 May 2021) · Margaret Green Animal Rescue: how it works · Margaret Green Animal Rescue: visit us (centres and hours) · Margaret Green Animal Rescue: rehoming fee · Greyhound Lifeline: adopt a greyhound (criteria and donation) · Second Chance Animal Rescue: homepage · Second Chance Animal Rescue: contact · Hampshire Paws Animal Rescue: about us · Dogs Trust: Salisbury (Wiltshire) centre · Forever Hounds Trust: why adopt from FHT · Senior Staffy Club: adopt a Staffy · Blue Cross: getting a puppy · PDSA: the cost of owning a dog · gov.uk: Get your dog microchipped · gov.uk: Banned dogs · gov.uk: Lucy's Law in England · legislation.gov.uk: Microchipping of Cats and Dogs (England) Regulations 2023 · gov.uk: Ban on XL Bully dogs