Islay Dog-Rescue

Islay Dog-Rescue Passionate about animals and dedicated to helping dogs who have found themselves in dog pounds. So, the seed was planted. What could I do? Could I?

In the beginning...
Islay Dog Rescue came to be as a result of a tragedy. Two of my dogs (Maggie and Zara) were killed just before Christmas 2010. I tried several rescue organisations with the intent to rehome one, if not two dogs, but had great difficulty in doing so. It became apparent to me that there must be many, many good homes out there, crying out for dogs to love, only to be refused by re

scue organisations. My investigations led me to a website called Rescue Helpers Unite and it was there my eyes became truly opened. "Death row dogs" was very much a hidden subject, these dogs were kept right in the dark. RHU worked with pound pullers and rescues - negotiating rescue spaces for dogs who were waiting to be put to sleep in the dog pounds. This was something that didn't sit well with me so, fired up, I started Islay Dog Rescue. I wanted to save these dogs from the darkness and bring their plight into the light. I thought if I could rescue, assess, veterinary health check, treat for parasites and neuter then perhaps I could find them permanent, loving homes. I had no idea.......it was terrifying, what if I never found suitable homes? I started small and made links with a fabulous organisation in Lancashire called Homeless Hounds. I offered a rescue space to an older, brindle, staffie cross and brought him home. What a gentleman this boy turned out to be. His name was Bruce and he was about 6 or 7 years old. Anyway, once he was assessed and neutered I decided I couldn't part with him. So in essence, I failed & went back to the drawing board. Bruce lived with me until late 2019 when we said our last goodbyes. The next dog from Homeless Hounds was Oscar. This time he was put into foster care with my good friend Grace. She looked after him and assessed him over a period of about three weeks and then we found him a fantastic home where he was well cared for and loved to bits. Oscar lived for several years with a wonderful family in Dunoon before sadly passing away. His family returned to Islay Dog Rescue and adopted another dog. The ball was now rolling. Since then Islay Dog Rescue have rescued many dogs from both Homeless Hounds and All Dogs Matter (based in London). Around 2013 I was made aware of the dreadful situation of stray dogs in countries like Bosnia and Romania. A couple of my All Dogs Matter contacts became involved and, as a team, we decided to save some of these dogs. Since then we have saved the lives of many dogs from kill shelters in these countries and are proud to have done so. The conditions in these shelters can be nothing less than horrific and if Islay Dog Rescue can help then we do.

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If you would like to adopt a dog from us please visit our adoption page. The other side of rescue......


Whilst we would like to have a positive ending for all the dogs we work with, unfortunately occasionally this is not the case. We take our job very seriously and although our primary objective is to save the lives of dogs when they are at risk we also have a duty of care to other dogs and the general public. Sometimes, we take in dogs who have bite histories and work them them as best we can to find them a suitable home but very occasionally this cannot be achieved. Dogs who are deemed to be too aggressive to be rehomed safely (both for themselves or for the public) are euthanised. None of us at Islay Dog Rescue got involved in the rescue life so that we could put dogs to sleep but on top of having a duty of care to the public we must also abide by the law. We have never, and will never, claim to be a "no kill shelter" (an American term used to describe a facility that houses all dogs in a permanent kennel setting) but ultimately we do our very best.

Spaces available from 28th November 2025
05/11/2025

Spaces available from 28th November 2025

OPEN DAY - SATURDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 11AM-2PMIMPORTANT INFORMATIONFree transport is provided from the Barony Campus car park...
05/11/2025

OPEN DAY - SATURDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 11AM-2PM

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Free transport is provided from the Barony Campus car park (on A70 near Aldi, KA18 1EQ

Please use the transport as we have very limited parking at the Rescue.

All calendars have been postedHave you received yours??????
05/11/2025

All calendars have been posted

Have you received yours??????

03/11/2025

Free transport provided for the Open Day
from Barony Campus Car Park, KA18 1FQ
On A70, next to Aldi
To and from the Rescue
Starting at 11am with runs every 20 minutes last pick up to Islay around 1:30
PARKING IS VERY LIMITED AT THE RESCUE
PLEASE USE THIS FREE TRANSPORT

We had a very special visitor today. Myles Murray from Tarbolton visited with his mum, Sarah-Jane. Myles had chosen to...
02/11/2025

We had a very special visitor today. Myles Murray from Tarbolton visited with his mum, Sarah-Jane. Myles had chosen to save ALL of his birthday money because he wanted it to be use to save dogs. Myles and his Mum had a look around and spent some time with Agatha and Yanni - our disabled sanctuary dogs. This wonderful young man adores all animals and has two dogs and a horse of his own. Thank you Myles, what a generous young man you are. It was an honour to have you visit.

Our Open Day is Saturday 8th November 2025, 11am-2pm. Children welcome but no dogs please. Look out for information on parking.

Woo woo another one from the family Islay Dog-Rescue GEORGE - Super George
31/10/2025

Woo woo another one from the family Islay Dog-Rescue
GEORGE - Super George

Another Islay Dog-Rescue dogProof - one size fits all Awww cutie 💓 well done George
31/10/2025

Another Islay Dog-Rescue dog
Proof - one size fits all
Awww cutie 💓 well done George

Happy Halloween from the Islay Dog-Rescue familyHere is Leo, not sure he's loving his costume 😊Let's see your doggies xx
31/10/2025

Happy Halloween from the Islay Dog-Rescue family
Here is Leo, not sure he's loving his costume 😊
Let's see your doggies xx

We won one of the hampers, thankyou you all for nominating us
29/10/2025

We won one of the hampers, thankyou you all for nominating us

Thank you so much to everyone who donated to our charity appeal!

All rescues have now been contacted and arrangements made to receive hampers!

The lucky rescues are as follows

Staffie Smiles Rescue

Dog Meat Trade Dachshund Rescue

Islay Dog-Rescue

British Chihuahua Rescue

Saving and Rehoming Strays SCIO

This could not be possible without your support!

We also have enough donations to offer a few more hampers which il be organising soon! 🥰🐶

UPDATETransport provided from Barony Campus. Every 20 minutes starting at 11am, last trip to Islay around about 1:30.📣Op...
27/10/2025

UPDATE
Transport provided from Barony Campus. Every 20 minutes starting at 11am, last trip to Islay around about 1:30.

📣Open Day, Open Hearts🧡✨

Islay Dog Rescue Open Day!!
Saturday, 8th November | 11am – 2pm
Location: Islay Dog Rescue, Cumnock🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

We’re so happy to invite you to our Open Day at Islay Dog Rescue in Cumnock. Come spend a lovely afternoon with us, meet some of our wonderful dogs and find out what really happens behind the scenes. You’ll be able to chat with our friendly team about rescue, adoption, fostering, volunteering and our boarding services. It’s the perfect chance to learn more, get involved or maybe even fall in love with one of our dogs.

There will be stalls with new and pre-loved doggy goodies, tea, coffee and plenty of biscuits to enjoy. If you love baking, you can help by bringing some homemade biscuits to share.

As the colder months arrive❄️, we also welcome donations of warm blankets, towels, dog coats, and other cosy items that can help keep our dogs comfortable this winter. Every little thing makes a big difference☃️🧣🧦

So come along, have a cuppa, a tour, meet the team and spend time with some very happy dogs. It will be a heartwarming day full of friendly faces, wagging tails and lots of love🌾🐾

Address

Glen Islay Farm
Cumnock
KA182

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+447876561545

Website

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Our Story

Islay Dog Rescue is operated by Lorraine Jardine from Glen Islay Farm, a small-holding near Cumnock, on the South-West Coast of Scotland. Lorraine is passionate about animals and dedicated to helping dogs who have found themselves in dog pounds. Specifically, rescuing dogs who are on "death row".