Chilterns Dog Rescue Society

General information

Chilterns Dog Rescue Society was founded in 1963 by Mrs Dolly Bromley so our history now stretches over 50 years. Dolly found a small dog tied up and abandoned in Amersham. After trying to locate its owner, she took it to the local police station where she was horrified to learn that if the dog was not claimed, it would be put down at the end of the week. Dolly refused to accept that and, being unable to keep a dog herself, she telephoned friends and acquaintances and found it a new and loving home. Those who became involved with this one little dog soon became aware of the need to help other dogs in distress.

This was the start of the Society which, until 1985, was known as the Amersham and Chesham and District Dog Rescue and Welfare Society. Soon, all lost and unwanted dogs in the area were being referred to the Dog Rescue for rehoming.

Since 1963, over 18,000 dogs have been homed. Not only does the Society care for and find homes for lost and abandoned dogs, owners circumstances sometimes change and this can result in dogs coming into our care.

Whatever the reason, these dogs are cared for by the Society until the right new home can be found for them. Our priority is the dogs and we will always put the dogs first.

In the beginning, the Society paid for dogs to go to various boarding kennels in the Chilterns area. This was a temporary measure and not very satisfactory as it made it extremely difficult for prospective owners to view the dogs in order to make a choice.

Eventually an arrangement was made with a single boarding kennel in the area where the Society could keep all its dogs in one place and provide access to the public. This was not a perfect solution, but a step in the right direction. We always hoped we would find the right place to expand and involve our members more fully in our work.

For 20 years we were based in Ashley Green, near Chesham, Bucks. In 2009, after years of hard work by many many supporters the Society finally achieved its dream of buying its own premises in Chivery, near Tring, Herts. This will enable us to construct purpose built facilities for the dogs that come into our care. In July 2013 planning permission was obtained to construct a new Rescue Centre to create a Centre of Excellence for rescue and rehoming.

We refuse to have dogs put down except for extreme medical reasons or irreversible behavioural conditions. To this end, we provide extensive veterinary care and training for the dogs that need it.

The Society has a long history of rescue and rehoming and continues to grow thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of its many supporters, volunteers, members and Trustees.