Saving Saints Rescue and St Bernard and Big Paws Rescue love and understand the world of big dogs. If you love dogs, don't mind hair and the odd bit of slobber on your clothes, join us. We'd love to sit with you and chat all things dog, sharing a cup of tea and a Bonio or two!

We started 9 years as a St Bernard charity with a difference - we rescued any St Bernard dog from anywhere in the world regardless of background; worked to rehabilitate and rehome in a safe environment according to each dog's unique needs. We strive to uphold those values today but now focus on UK dogs in need due to the huge increase in dogs being given up since lockdown.

From 2020 to date we have supported, rescued, rehabilitated over 1,000 dogs in 1,000 days with less than £25,000 in self-generated income per year. How do we do that? By being managed and working with committed volunteers who give 1000s of hours with the back up of key stakeholders who highly discount their services, all working together with the same values as one dedicated team.

We are the only St Bernard charity approved by the Kennel Club Breed Rescue scheme that will help and rehome dogs who have reactivity towards people and other dogs/animals. In the last 12 months, we have taken in 6 St Bernards who their UK breeders have refused to help despite being under a return to breeder contract. That should mean that the breeder takes their dog back if the owner's circumstances change or the dog develops a serious health issue so it's a bit like an insurance scheme. You pay a premium to buy a dog from a breeder who offers this. Owners are being failed with rescue left to pick up the costs.

Sadly, many of the well known animal charities have restrictive behavioural criteria meaning dogs would be euthanised after their assessment or not taken in at all. For example, an owner with a male dog that couldn't safely mix off lead with another male dog would be refused entry. That dog could be well managed with simple adjustments but wouldn't be helped. We have rehomed countless dogs like Winston, a reactive St Bernard who was rejected by his breeder and other rescues and have gone on to live a full life. Here is Winston now at our dog show in Peterborough. His former owner Louis says "Without you Winston would be dead. I can't thank you enough."

We continue to support countless dog owners with our free behavioural advice scheme - regardless of the type of dog or where they live. We offer owners in crisis a variety of services from providing free flea/wormers and food; our 'from home' adoption service where we advertise a dog, conduct vetting checks on prospective adopters and give life time rescue back up advice; and our 14 day in kennel assessment service with intensive behavioural support.

If you're interested in adoption we are flexible in what we look for - personal commitment, experience with dogs and a clean home. Many people adopt from us who have been refused by the big animal charities. That's not because we don't have high standards and do proper checks, it's because we are flexible in our thinking and approach. We know that you might have to work or care for someone with a disability in the home; you might be over 70 but healthy and active or not have your own garden. We look at your needs, experience and environment and match a dog to you or put you on a waiting list until a suitable dog is in need. One of our adopters, Diana from Devon says "You looked at me as a real person, not just my age and Abby is the best gift I could have had, she's just a big baby" (Abby, mixed shepherd, photo at a local dog show).

The UK''s current economic problems, huge increase in dog breeding from unsuitable lines, 12% increase in dog ownership since 2021 (over 30% of whom were first time dog owners during lockdown), massive hike in pet insurance, vet practices merging and being taken over by investment companies with an increase in vet fees by an average of 12% per year, has sadly created a pet ownership crisis. We are living this every day - receiving desperate calls from owners and other rescues in need of our specialist help. The Dogs Trust have reported a 35% increase in calls this year but given the restrictive intake criteria many dogs won't receive help.

What makes large dogs more at risk of being abandoned and euthanised?

1. Big dogs sadly come with negative assumptions. Most landlords just don't want them in their properties and when people have to rent due to say relationship breakdown, they can't find anywhere to take a big paw. People assume that big dogs are more likely to attack other dogs or people - according to Merseyside Police's research the Jack Russell is the dog most likely to bite.

2. Not being able to manage big dog behaviour in adolescence and early adulthood. What was cute at 6 months isn't funny at 11 months so if people don't put the work in very early this causes our giants to lose their homes. Being able to manage and be in control of your dog in public is a legal responsibility and owners of giant breeds are frequently anxious and lack confidence about handling their dogs.

3. Big dogs basically cost more. No surprises there. We very rarely received a call for help with food until this year - dog food has gone up by 16% since 2022. Vet costs and people not being able to insure their dog have always been common reasons. These costs have risen exponentially. For example, a neuter/spay for a large dog cost our rescue £240 in 2021, now it's at least £360. Every adult dog we have taken in during the last 9 months hasn't been neutered. The vast majority haven't got current vaccinations either. For the majority of dogs it's not due to owner neglect but they simply can't afford it. This costs us £78 to sort out. So before we even start with kennel fees at £10 per day and behavioural assessment we have a vet bill of £438.

We can't survive into 2024 without raising £9,000. Please donate what you can or consider sponsoring one of our dogs in need in the photo. If you have no children under 16 regularly at home, please ask us about fostering.

Annie, Reggie, Rikki, Dolly, Otto, Lennox, Shadow and Amelia are just a few of our dogs in need but we have many more.

If you'd like to fundraise for us we have leaflets and donation boxes and can bring some of our dogs along to a local event.

High paws to you from Dolly (thumbnail photo), Abby and Winston (below)