ABOUT

Dogs Friends was started in the Spring of 2005 by a group of friends who, at the time, were working with a number of different dog charities.

Whilst recognising the need for funds to finance a wide range of services for the welfare of dogs, they decided to concentrate their efforts on direct re-homing work in the vicinity of where they all lived and that is what they are now doing as a team – finding better homes for unwanted and unloved dogs in the Bristol, Bath and Somerset areas.

Dogs Friends is now well established and to help with fund raising it was registered as a Charity on 5 April 2009 based in the heart of Somerset but operating across much of the South West. As a charity we are committed to the belief that all dogs are equally deserving and so we take in dogs of all ages, sizes and breed and from a variety of backgrounds.

Board of Trustees

Rosemary Peacock Chairwoman
John Thurmand Secretary

Latest Report & Accounts

View our latest Report and Accounts on the Charity Commission Website

As can be seen, our largest cost by far is vet bills, and that is why we set up the Meds for Mutts Club.

Meet Some Of The Team

Rosemary Peacock (Trustee & Chairwoman)

I have never ever not lived closely with pets. There were always cats then guinea pigs, rabbits, later on ponies then horses and sheep. I can remember them all. I am so grateful to my parents for their love of animals which they definitely passed on to me. We never had dogs though. I was rather scared of them till I was an adult. Ponies and pony rescue was my passion for many years. As soon as I was old enough and qualified, I ran a riding school that subsidised my sanctuary for old ponies and donkeys. After a few years, my first dog arrived. Tally. Absolutely special. A big black and white collie cross stray. He was followed by other unwanted farm collies. Then, in 1998, I met another dog who appeared at the yard – Gnasher, a Chocolate Labrador puppy. Oh my goodness, he started my total passion for ‘Chocolates’. He was the most fantastic dog. I will be eternally grateful to him. He changed my life.

John Thurmond (Trustee)

I have been involved with the Rescue from the first dogs, which came in the spring of 2005. Five of the dogs from that spring are still with me. I was appointed a Trustee when the Charity was formed in 2009. Over the years my activities have included collecting dogs from pounds mainly in Wales but also in England. At one time I was crossing the Severn Bridge so often my car was recognised by the toll collectors. Meds for Mutts, pet Insurance, documentation and procedures, obtaining grants and claiming gift aid have been some of my admin activities.

Caroline

My role is admin support so I deal with adoption applications, random questions and issues that arise and help to support foster carers, adopters and other team members as needed. Tim and I also help with collecting donations and general running around.

I’ve only been doing this admin role since the beginning of 2021 but have fostered dogs and helped out generally for a few years now.

My favourite part of my role is probably helping match people with dogs and assisting people through the adoption process. I enjoy chatting on the phone and get to speak to lots of different people and helping with a variety of issues.

We have 5 dogs and 2 cats and foster cats too. In our spare time, we love to go for walks, particularly to the beach and enjoy spending time in our caravan.

Nadine

As a Dogs Friends volunteer I support the website and admin activities. I’ve also had the privilege of fostering many dogs and helping them find their forever homes. I love having the chance to volunteer because I’m constantly learning new things and putting my skills to the test.

Becky

I work at the kennels caring for all the animals up there. I started working nearly 3 years ago and my favourite part of joining the team is learning new things every day, from working with dogs with all different backgrounds and needs is so rewarding and seeing the outcome after putting in the work with them is amazing. I got involved because of my love of dogs, and being able to work with all different breeds of dogs has been amazing and I’ve learnt so much. In my spare time, I help at home with the cattle and horses, and also enjoy walking my dogs.