Our passionate and dedicated staff and volunteers have driven our many achievements since then, from changing laws and expanding abroad to supporting thousands of dogs and owners.

Every member of the Dogs Trust family plays an important role. From canine carers and volunteers to our chief executive, we’re all here to help dogs and their owners now and into the future.

Today, many dog owners think of their pet as a member of the family.

But when we were founded in the nineteenth century, attitudes were very different. For most people, dogs were there to do a job. Cruel practices, such as prolonged chaining, were common.

In 1891, Lady Gertrude Stock started the National Canine Defence League. Her small group vowed to campaign against cruelty.

In the decades that followed, the League continued to campaign for better dog welfare. It increased rehoming, survived two world wars and worked with partners overseas.

We became Dogs Trust in 2003. Since then, we’ve celebrated many successes, from helping to change laws to launching our Dog School.

We’re the UK’s leading dog welfare charity – and we’re proud of the many milestones in our history.