A Thoughtful Change: How Dog Desk Animal Action is Evolving Its Adoption Policy
At Dog Desk Animal Action, every decision we make begins and ends with what is best for the dogs in our care. For many years, our adoption efforts have focused on placing dogs in loving homes within their country of origin. Our goal has always been to support local rehoming and integration, believing that dogs should thrive in the communities where they were rescued whenever possible.
However, as the landscape of rescue work continues to shift, we must be willing to adapt while remaining anchored to our principles.
Why We’re Rethinking Our Adoption Strategy
Adoption restrictions have become increasingly limiting. Added to this is the deep-rooted fear and misinformation surrounding dogs, exacerbated by recent propaganda and policy changes. These factors have drastically slowed in-country adoptions.
To put it in perspective: while the number of dogs in need continues to soar, only an estimated 5% of the population is open to adopting a dog—and many of those are specifically seeking purebred puppies. This leaves thousands of dogs without hope of ever finding a home.
We cannot ignore the reality. When adoption is no longer a viable path for most of the dogs in our care, we must find a new way forward.
What’s Changing
Over the coming months, a very small number of our dogs from the Sanctuary Project will be made available for adoption in the UK.
We want to be absolutely clear:
We are not launching mass transport operations.
We are not looking to flood the UK with dogs.
We are not adding to the existing pressure on already-stretched UK rescue organisations.
Instead, our approach will be measured and minimal—just a handful of carefully selected dogs, sent only when the right homes are available.
Why This Matters
These few adoptions can change everything—for the individual dogs who might otherwise face a life behind sanctuary fences, and for the people whose lives they will brighten. And each successful adoption allows us to create space and resources for others in urgent need.
It’s a small shift, but one that reflects a big truth: that rescue work must be flexible, responsive, and always rooted in compassion.
Thank you to our supporters for walking alongside us through every evolution. As always, our mission remains the same—to protect, care for, and advocate for vulnerable dogs, wherever they may be.
If you are interested in giving a sanctuary dog a second chance, stay tuned. We will be sharing more information soon.