Rescue World is open
Rescue World is the new site from Dogs 4 Rescue set in the hills of rural Lancashire, which we’re transforming into a sanctuary and rehabilitation retreat for the dogs no one wants.
It expands on our original kennel-free rescue based on the edge of Manchester which will now be focused on rehoming.
It is an idyllic 41 acre plot of undulating hills, mature countryside, an old reservoir and a small stream providing opportunities as big as our imagination. Thanks to our incredible supporters it now belongs to the dogs and Phase 1 opened October 2023.
Several phases of construction are replacing derelict farm buildings with modern log cabins, communal dog lounges and huge outside play spaces. It’s kennel-free living at its very best.
Phase 2 is already underway will see us create 20 new rescue spaces at a time of unprecedented need, with permissions for 80 dogs in total once the site is fully developed.
Solving the big issue
The site has staggering potential and provides a solution to one of the biggest issues in rescue – what to do with the dogs who need an alternative to traditional kennels.
Here we can rehabilitate broken souls who learn to be happy dogs again, returning to their natural behaviours with the help of our resident pack. Then they learn to trust people and in some cases go on to be rehomed.
Rescue World will enable us to fulfil our mission to inspire and generate lasting change. In time it will provide kennel-free education and training for other dog rescues, prevent dogs from entering the rescue system and help people too.
We also have some land for rescued farm animals, and a rewilding project in the now empty reservoir to benefit local wildlife which is often spotted around the site.
The dream is to create an entire rescue world.
The Rescue World site
Phase 1 complete
The Phase 1 build was completed in 2023 with the first dogs moving into their new home to coincide with our 10th anniversary. This freed up 20 spaces at our Manchester site to immediately take in more dogs in need.
It astounded us how quickly our frightened dogs settled in at Rescue World, helped along by their communal dog lounges and large natural playground – complete with sandpits, tunnels and their favourite look out points.
Our dogs are all safely fenced in but with a near 2 acre playground they have no sense of being confined and can play to their hearts content. All of the dogs come in at night and snuggle together in their sofas and dens.
The build was made possible by an incredible team of planners, architects, project managers, builders, ecologists, specialists and companies whose generosity and love for the dogs has helped us punch well above our weight with a limited budget.
Then our incredible supporters visited Grumpy Stu’s Shop to buy roof tiles, cladding, plasterboard and so much more to finish the build off. And the results are incredible.
Help us build Phase 2
We are now starting the phase 2 build to create 20 new rescue spaces; the single biggest thing we can do in this unprecedented rescue crisis. We have already completed the demolition of two old farm buildings, with architect plans approved by planning, ground works booked in and project managers in place.
The main phase 2 log cabin will be situated opposite the senior dog’s lodge, with its own playground extending down by the drive way, out of sight of the phase 1 exercise area. It will comprise of a reception area with 7 communal dog lounges. We’re starting the build in October 2025 and you can help by playing The Rescue Lottery.
Once the build is underway Supawvisor Stu will once again add items we need to his shop.
Caring for the environment
We are now the custodians of a stunning piece of Lancashire countryside and are committed to leaving large areas untouched, creating a natural habitat for the local wildlife.
There are no plans for a perimeter fence to the site, so our boundaries can flow naturally as they always have. The old reservoir will eventually become a rewilding project with a plan to help sustain local wildlife, trees, and plants, which is already moving in and returning the land to a natural state.
We have already planted 400 trees behind the Phase 1 area and our dream is to eventually go off-grid, becoming a carbon neutral organisation, which is viable thanks to the size and location of the site.
Gallery of Rescue World phase 1 construction
