It is the largest dog welfare charity in the United Kingdom, caring for over 15,000 animals each year.

[4] Its charity guidelines ensure that no mentally or physically healthy dog taken into the protection of its rehoming centres are euthanised.

The National Canine Defence League (NCDL) was founded in 1891 at a meeting during the first Crufts show chaired by Lady Gertrude Stock.

[5][6] The NCDL campaigned against vivisection, unnecessary muzzling and prolonged chaining, as well as providing care for stray dogs.

[7] In November 1939, the NCDL spoke out against the mass euthanisation of approximately 750,000 pet dogs and cats upon the outbreak of World War II.

[13] On 14 March 2019, Dogs Trust officially unveiled plans to open a new rehoming centre in Cardiff in 2021.

The phrase was created by Clarissa Baldwin, the former Chief Executive of the charity, to reduce the number of dogs which are abandoned as unwanted.

These are large vehicles fitted with air conditioned kennels and are specially designed to tour the local area, carrying a small number of dogs from nearby rehoming centres that are desperately seeking new homes.

They have also created an animal sanctuary where selected dogs unable to be re-homed can live together free from excessive human contact.

Dogs Trust Loughborough aims to be the greenest animal rescue centre in the world.

[19] The project will be constructed with the aim to achieve BREEAM (BRE Environment Assessment Method) outstanding classification and the highest levels of sustainability.

It also offers free neutering services in certain poorer countries and runs international training programs [21] for other animal welfare charities to reduce feral populations.

[28] They have released yearly reports detailing this trade and encouraged MPs to back their campaign.

[46] To mark the charity's 125th anniversary, a garden entitled "A Dog's Life" was designed by Paul Hervey-Brooks and built by G K Wilson Landscapes was shown at Hampton Court Flower Show 2016.