About Us

OUR OBJECTIVE

To promote humane behaviour towards dogs in the UK and Romania by providing appropriate care, protection, treatment, safe shelter and security for dogs in need of care by reason of mistreatment, abandonment, poor circumstances or ill usage.

To actively seek homes for rescued animals and advance public understanding of dog welfare by providing training support to adopters.

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who we are

Doggy Dens UK Rescue

Denise Hardwick-Akbani

FOUNDER

I am a local businesswoman with a strong passion for animal welfare, especially when it comes to dogs in need. Since I began rescuing in 2000, I’ve successfully rehomed over 500 dogs, each one with its own unique story and journey to recovery. Helping them heal and transition into new lives is incredibly rewarding, and it’s a mission that continues to drive me every day.

Labradors have always held a special place in my heart — their loyalty and gentle nature make them truly remarkable companions. I currently have four dogs of my own, including three wonderful rescues from Romania, where so many animals still face incredibly harsh conditions.

Karen Carter

TRUSTEE

I am one of the trustees, Karen Carter. I've been rescuing dogs from Romania and placing them in homes since 2018, rehoming over 1000 dogs. Currently, I own two dogs, Nutmeg and Holly. Nutmeg is a Romanian rescue herself.

My role is to assist in the rehoming process for the dogs we rescue from Romania, ensuring comprehensive medical testing is conducted and transport arrangements are set correctly. I also support the telephone line for enquiries and assist in follow-ups of the Romanian dogs. I ensure that all the dogs rescued from Romania have ongoing care and support groups remain open for the duration of the adoption.

Linda Turner

TRUSTEE

Linda Turner is a retired accountant whose experience and professional expertise bring immense value to our charitable work. Her keen eye for detail and strong organizational skills help keep many aspects of our operations running smoothly.

A devoted dog lover, Linda is the proud owner of Harry — a large, fluffy bundle of joy who keeps her on her toes and always brings a smile to everyone he meets.

Linda plays an active role in our fundraising events and is always eager to lend a hand. She loves to travel and combines her sense of adventure with a strong commitment to helping our dogs.

Behind every successful dog rescue, there are dedicated individuals who pour their hearts and souls into making a difference in the lives of our four-legged friends.

Our incredible men and women who volunteer their time and passion help form a close knit team doing the practicalities of dog care, training and rehabilitation.

who we are

Volunteers

If you feel you would like to dedicate some time to volunteering to work within our kennels, please note the requirements. You must be:

18 years of age or older
Fit and active
Confident being around and handling dogs
Have the willingness to get involved in all aspects of care including walking, feeding, cleaning, training, poop scooping etc.
Reliability to commit to a rota, time and days varies.

Please note we work on a traffic light system for dogs able to be handled by certain members. This is a strict safety policy and needs to be adhered to at all times for your safety and the safety of our dogs. Anyone found to be not adhering to this will result in possible dismissal.

Please send us a message with your details, your skills, experience and why you would like to volunteer. A staff member will be in contact with you to discuss a site visit.

To join our team, please contact us for information to arrange an initial site visit and induction. Please note we also require home fosters.

Join the volunteers