Sponsor a dog

It couldn't be easier to sponsor a dog in our care, or to gift a sponsorship to a friend or loved one.

Recall and leave it

Why we need your support

  • Every week people are making the call to give up their dog.
  • While most dogs find a loving new home within a few weeks, some dogs need love and support for longer.
  • We rely on sponsorships to look after the 200+ dogs that can be in our care at any one time.

Your support can make the world of difference.

Puppy Playgroup

We need your puppy power! By sponsoring a dog in the puppy playgroup, you'll be providing specialist care for pups who have had a tough start in life.

Sponsor puppy playgroup

Mystery dog

Sponsor a mystery dog and we'll match you with the dog most in need of your love.

Sponsor a mystery dog

How your sponsorship helps

Your sponsorship directly helps your chosen sponsor dog, and all the dogs in our care too. Your sponsorship money is used to:

  • Help run our rehoming centre
  • Heat our dog's kennels
  • Wash our dog's bed
  • Supply tasty treats
  • Provide fun enrichment toys
  • Support with vital training to help our dogs find their forever homes
  • Provide any medical care our dog may need.

Help our sponsor dogs find their forever homes.

sponsor a dog gift

Sponsor as a gift

For birthdays, Christmas or anniversaries, sponsoring a dog is the perfect gift for dog-lovers.

Sponsor as a gift
Brown dog silhouette with small heart icon

What do sponsors receive?

Once you’re signed up, you’ll receive updates from your sponsor dog throughout the year – telling you about all the amazing things your support is helping to achieve. We’ll also send you a sponsorship pack, including a special photo certificate of your new bestie, photo postcards, a window sticker and a fridge magnet.  

How sponsorship works

It couldn't be easier to sponsor a dog in our care, or to gift a sponsorship to a friend or loved one.

  1. 1

    Pick a dog to sponsor

    Choose to sponsor our Puppy Playgroup or a Mystery Dog. By sponsoring our puppy playgroup, you'll be providing specialist care for pups who have had a tough start in life. By sponsoring a mystery dog, we'll match you with the dog most in need of your love.

  2. 2

    Set up your sponsorship

    Tell us how much you'd like to give and whether you want to gift the sponsorship to a loved one. For gift sponsorships we'll just need to know who to send doggy updates too.

  3. 3

    Enjoy regular updates from your Sponsor Dog

    You or your giftee will receive updates from your chosen sponsor dog throughout the year telling you about the amazing things your support is helping to achieve.

Sponsor our puppy playgroup
Sponsor a mystery dog

Story 1 of 1

Terrier dog lying on grass outside

3rd December 2020

Success story

Bella

Sponsor dog Bella lived at our centre for 6 years before finally finally finding her forever home.

Bella was very wary of strangers and got to know people slowly, at her own pace. 

Despite getting a lot of interest from potential adopters, sadly she didn’t bond with them and found affection from unknown people overwhelming, despite their best efforts.

Thankfully, Bella enjoyed life at the centre and was a fan favourite as a sponsor dog before she finally found a forever home with new family who were kind and patient. We were delighted to announce her adoption in September 2021.

After months of giving Bella time and space, she slowly came out of her shell and is now a member of the family, feeling comfortable enough to have zoomies around the garden and cuddle up with her new adopters. 

Without the support of our sponsors, we couldn't care for long-term dogs like Bella and give them the second chance at life they deserve. 

FAQs

What is my sponsorship money used for?

Your sponsorship contributions are used to help your sponsor dog and all the dogs in our care. We can have over 200 dogs in our care at any given time.

The money is used to cover the costs of running the rehoming centre and our regional rehoming programmes.

The money also goes towards food for the dogs, training and medical care - all with the ultimate goal of finding each dog a loving home. With the help of supporters, over 1000 dogs and puppies were rehomed in 2023!

Why can't all dogs be visited?

Some of the dogs in our care become very stressed by unfamiliar people and situations. To give these dogs the happy life they deserve, we have to ensure they have a comfortable and familiar routine. We are currently working very hard on visiting hours for our kind supporters. Please call our rehoming centre or keep an eye on the website for the latest updates if you wish to find out more about visiting.

Will I be my dog's only sponsor?

Dogs Trust Sponsor a Dog is a co-sponsorship scheme with a number of fantastic dog lovers like you sponsoring each dog. Your money will go towards helping all the dogs in our care, including the dog you have chosen to sponsor.

How often will I hear from my sponsor dog?

Your sponsor dog will send you regular updates; including at Christmas, Valentines Day, and again in the summertime! You are more than welcome to send letters, emails, cards & gifts to your sponsor dog. They love to receive mail!

Will my dog send me a birthday card?

No, sponsor dogs don't send birthday cards but you will receive a Valentines card and a card at Christmas.

Can I sponsor a dog as a gift for someone else?

Yes. If signing up online, please register using your details first and then tick the 'Gift' box on the 'Selected Dogs' screen.

The gift recipient will then receive all of the sponsorship details in their name.

What will happen if my sponsor dog is no longer available?

If your sponsor leaves our centre you will be informed and Dogs Trust will pick another dog who is also in need of your love.

Sponsor our puppy playgroup
Sponsor a mystery dog
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Registered Charity Number: 20057978 Dogs Trust Ireland, company limited by Guarantee. Registered in Dublin, Ireland under company no. 396919. Reg Office: Ashbourne Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.

© 2026 Dogs Trust

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