The Society was founded in 1963 by Mrs Dolly Bromley. She had found a small dog tied up and abandoned in Amersham. After trying to locate its owner, she took it to the local police station where she was horrified to learn that if the dog was not claimed, it would be put down at the end of the week. Dolly refused to accept that and, being unable to keep a dog herself, she telephoned friends and acquaintances and found it a new and loving home. Those who became involved with this one little dog soon became aware of the need to help other dogs in distress.

This was the start of the Society which, until 1985, was known as the Amersham and Chesham Dog Rescue and Welfare Society.  Soon, all lost and unwanted dogs in the area were being referred to the Dog Rescue for rehoming.

Since 1963, over 16,000 dogs have been homed. Not only does the Society care for and find homes for lost and abandoned dogs, owners circumstances sometimes change and this can result in dogs coming into our care.

Whatever the reason, these dogs are cared for by the Society until the right new home can be found for them.

No dog is needlessly destroyed.

In the beginning, the Society paid for dogs to go to various boarding kennels in the Chilterns area. This was a temporary measure and not very satisfactory as it made it extremely difficult for prospective owners to view the dogs in order to make a choice.

Eventually an arrangement was made with a single boarding kennel in the area where the Society could keep all its dogs in one place and provide access to the public. This was not a perfect solution, but a step in the right direction. We always hoped we would find the right place to expand and involve our members more fully in our work.

We are now based at Woodfield Spring Kennels, Ashley Green, near Chesham, Bucks. We have facilities to kennel approximately 30 dogs. The accommodation includes isolation kennels and puppy facilities. With over 40 years of experience behind us, we are now determined to purchase kennels of our own. Only then can we achieve the long-term security of the Society.

Chilterns Dog Rescue Society is almost unique among animal rescue organisations in that our objective is to re-home ALL the dogs that come into our care. We refuse to have dogs put down except for extreme medical reasons or irreversible behavioural conditions. To this end, we provide extensive veterinary care for the dogs that come to us.

The Society continues to grow thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of its many supporters and members. If you would like to support the Society in its continuing efforts to help the dogs please contact the office.