The Open Paws Working Group is a collaboration of rescue organisations specialising in gundog breeds. The group brings together experienced charities and rescuers to share expertise and work collectively on welfare and policy issues affecting the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of dogs, especially (but not exclusively )working breeds.

The group was formed in response to the current docking-related import restrictions, which have had unintended consequences for legitimate rescue organisations working with gundog breeds. Its primary purpose is to engage constructively with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure that measures designed to prevent cruelty do not inadvertently prevent genuine rescue dogs from being safely rehomed.

Organisations that would like to join the group, or be kept informed of its discussions and activities, are welcome to contact us here.

The Open Paws Working Group currently includes the following organisations, each with extensive experience in the rescue, importation and rehoming of dogs. Collectively, these organisations represent nearly half a million supporters, adopters, and stakeholders across the UK and Europe.

Spinone Overseas For Adoption (SOFA)
Registered UK Charity No. 1179864

​​Setter Brittany & Pointer Rescue (SeBPRA)
Registered UK Charity No: 1194511

Saving Pound Dogs Cyprus (SPDC Rescue UK)
Registered UK Charity No. 1169378

Stronger Together Animal Rescue (STAR)
Registered UK Charity No. 1168941

Save Our Spaniels (SOS)
Registered UK Charity No. 1173875

GWP Need UK Home
Registered UK Charity 1201479

Pawprint 2 Freedom
Registered UK Charity No. 1175877

Brittanys Needing Homes
Registered UK Charity application in progress

Spaniel, Setter, Retriever Adoption International
Representative: Melanie Partington

Give a Dog a Home Rescue Malaga
Representative: Cathy Robinson

Axarquia Animal Rescue
Representative: Diane McClelland

The Responsible Dog Rescue
Representative: Rachael O’Regan
Status: CIC (charitable status pending)

Hessa’s Homeless Hounds
Representative: Hessa Riddit

Penny’s Ark
Representative: Jenny Laurie

Cyprus Setter and Pointer Rescue
Representative: Kayte Wilson-Smith

Forgotten Dogs of Turkey
Representative: Clare Maddock

Pointer Rescue Serbia
Representative: Tory Laroche Fifield

Spanish Griffon Rescue
Representative: Donna Woodger