WHO WE ARE

We are a group of individuals whose aim is to help the Shar-Pei - both the individual dogs, the breed as a whole and owners both current and prospective. Between us we literally have decades of collective knowledge in both owning, showing and breeding Shar-Pei. Over this time we have rescued and successfully rehomed hundreds of dogs.

Our founder and senior team member, Paul Saxton, is recognized and well respected by shar-pei friendly veterinarians across the UK and is the initial Shar-Pei breed rescue contact for both the RSPCA and Battersea Dogs Home. He has personally owned Shar-Pei since the early 1980s. Over many years, Paul has worked both independently helping shar-pei and also spent several years as the welfare Co-ordinator for the Shar-Pei Club of Great Britain, successfully rehomed many dogs in this capacity. Paul also holds diplomas in alternative organinc animal therapy.

OUR REFERENCES

As of 31 October 2007, SPRGB is recognized by the Kennel Club as an official shar-pei breed rescue.

Paul Saxton is recognized by the RSPCA, PDSA, PDSA Handsworth hospital and all UK council Dog Wardens as a breed rescuer. He's also been a shar-pei breed advisor for Channel 4s It's Me Or The Dog.

VETERINARY REFERENCES

We have letters of reference from the two following vets. If you wish to see the letters, contact us and we will send you copies in Adobe Acrobat.

Chris Mann, Chapel House Veterinary Practise, Hady Hill, Chesterfield S41 0DZ - Tel: 01246 222232
Steven Rennie, Barrier Animal Care Clinic, Eastmoor Place, Charlton, London SE7 8LP - Tel: 020 8293 6580

WHAT WE DO

The Shar-Pei is a unique breed which does not conform to the same training methods and health requirements that most other breeds require. Unfortunately, many people buy dogs of all breeds without enough forethought and planning. Shar-Pei are no exception and sadly we are seeing an increasing number in dire need of help.They have fallen victim to the 'designer dog' culture with indiscriminate breeders and the puppy farms reducing shar-pei to a mere commodity, cashing in on both the dogs and owners misery and not caring when things go wrong. We hope to be able to educate prospective owners on what to look for in a reputable breeder or even if this breed is the right one for their circumstances.

We also are here to help current owners who need advice on all aspects of shar-pei health,welfare and management. And lastly we are here to help Shar-Pei in need find loving, permanent new homes.

WHY WE HAVE SET UP SPRGB

Despite our unofficial commitments over the years and collaborations with other shar-pei rescue organisations, we felt it important to set up the Shar-Pei Rescue Of Great Britain. This way we can progress in the direction that we feel Shar-Pei rescue in the UK should be heading. We are fortunate to have forged friendships and contacts with many welfare groups and people we feel both share in and can help us realise our vision. Our aim is to attain charitable status as soon as we can and all donated money goes into a trust fund where every penny has to be accounted for. We are not run as a business and unlike some other breed welfare organisations and we don't demand joining fees or memberships before you can adopt a shar-pei via us.

To this end, Paul Saxton felt the need to part ways with the Shar-Pei Club of Great Britain and concentrate solely on rescue free from any politics. We wish SPCGB all the best for the future and hope the turbulent financial and internal problems they are experiencing currently are soon resolved.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

We can't do any of this on our own, but there are many ways, small and large you can help us help the dogs - everything from spreading the word with a link to us from your website all the way through to offering a forever, loving home to a shar-pei who has fell on hard times through no fault of his or her own. If you have a love of this wonderful and unique breed, check out our how you can help section and join us in helping as many shar-pei as we can find a better life.

OUR CODE OF CONDUCT

1. We will never have a dog put to sleep unless told by our veterinary advice team it is cruel not to do so, regardless of the financial cost to ourselves.

2. We will always offer warmth, care, food and shelter to any dog regardless of whether we can rehome the dog our not.

3. We will always accept any dog into our care and will not pass judgement on the prevailing circumstances by which the dog has been brought to us.

4. All information given to this Rescue Trust will always be held in the strictest of confidence.

5. All dogs in the care of this rescue trust will be carefully assessed and monitored before being judged fit for rehoming.

6. Each and every person wishing to offer a "Forever Loving Home" to our rescue dogs will be thoroughly vetted and home checked.

7. This Rescue Trust neither condones nor does it condemn dog shows. Our policy is that we will not knowingly rehome any dog to anyone for the purpose of showing the dog or for the purpose of breeding, regardless of blood line or standard of pedigree.

8. We insist that all rescue dogs be neutered /spayed within eight weeks of rehoming. Where possible financial assistance will be offered, dependant on available Dog Trust Veterinary Vouchers.