About PWR

Everything you need to know about our Pug rescue charity...

Who are Pug Welfare & Rescue?

Pug Welfare & Rescue was first formed in 1973 and was known as the Pug Dog Welfare Association. In 1978, the Association became a registered charity and a separate legal entity under the sole control of the Trustees. In 2000, with the approval of the Charities Commission, the name was changed to the Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association.

2026 and the start of the 53rd year of the charity’s existence sees another positive change, with the move to becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which will ensure that the charity moves forward in the best and most secure way possible. This change also brings a simplification of the charity’s name, to Pug Welfare & Rescue.

Our aims have remained unchanged since our inception and throughout the changes – to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome every pug in need that is surrendered into our care.

What do we do?

Pug Welfare & Rescue is a voluntary network, operating throughout England and Wales. Our aim is to assist any pug in need and each year we rescue and re-home anywhere between 150-300 pugs. Largely due to the current cost of living crisis, pet owners are increasingly struggling to cover vet and health costs and more and more pugs are being surrendered to us with a variety of ongoing health issues. We’re committed to taking the best care possible of all pugs that come into our care and our vet bills run into hundreds of thousands of pounds each year.

Pug Welfare & Rescue is managed by a selected group of Trustees, who work hand in hand with our Chairman Kay Greene. The Trustee group is supported by our dedicated Volunteer Area Coordinators (VACs), along with a wonderful network of dedicated volunteers. Following the change to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), we’re moving towards a more contemporary operating framework, hiring the necessary skillsets in the right areas of need, to continue offering the comprehensive service we’re known for, in the most effective way possible.

How do we operate?

Instead of working from a centralised location, Pug Welfare & Rescue splits England and Wales into specific regions, each of which is managed by an experienced Volunteer Area Coordinator (VAC). When somebody makes the often difficult decision to surrender a pug, or when a local authority comes across one that has been abandoned, the request for our help will go to the VAC who is managing the area that the request comes from. From here on, a network of trusted volunteers will be involved in the rescue process.

Surrendered pugs will usually be placed into the short-term care of one of our trusted and experienced fosterers, so that we can properly assess the type of home where they will best be matched. When pugs are surrendered into our care with significant health issues, we take all necessary steps to provide the appropriate veterinary care needed to return them to a healthy state and will only make them available for adoption when they are ready and well enough to move to a new forever home.

We maintain a register of people who have applied to adopt a pug and when one becomes available for adoption, we’ll match it to the home that best suites their temperament, background and specific needs. Where the right home isn’t immediately available, we may reach out through our internal and external social channels to find a suitable adopter.

How are we funded?

We rely solely on public donations, without which we wouldn’t be able to help the many pugs in need that we do. PWR rescues and rehomes hundreds of pugs in need each year and our vet bills run into hundreds of thousands of pounds annually. If you would like to help, there are many ways to get involved and all help is greatly appreciated.

By becoming a PWR Patron, you can make a monthly donation for however much you would like to give. In return, you’ll receive two PWR gifts of your choice, along with dedicated newsletters keeping you updated with how your donations are being spent. If you’d like to make a one-off donation, you can do that too, by simply visiting our donation page. We run regular donation events and encourage our supporters to get involved whenever they can, for more information just visit our fundraising page.

We couldn’t help the many pugs in need that we do without the generosity of our wonderful supporters, and we thank each and every one of you!

Our Aims

Generally to further the welfare of pugs.
To render assistance to the breed by re-settling pugs in personally approved homes, whether due to the death or serious illness of the owner, or in any unfortunate circumstances in which a pug may find itself.
In rare and very exceptional situations, we may purchase a pug deemed to be in peril for a nominal sum.
On appropriate veterinary advice, painlessly to destroy, castrate or spay pugs.
To give financial help with boarding and to pay necessary veterinary fees in cases of genuine hardship.
To raise money by means of various fundraising activities, and to receive donations for the furtherance of the work.
To co-operate wherever possible with other charities having similar aims.
PWR is a registered incorporated charity to protect our legal status and to preserve continuity, so that the funds may be used specifically for the welfare of pugs.