Spinone Overseas For Adoption (SOFA) is a small UK charity that helps rehome abandoned or unwanted Italian Spinoni—a traditional and gentle Italian gundog breed. These dogs are usually either unsuccessful at hunting, retired from working, often unwanted and almost all would never find a home in their country of origin. Bringing them to the UK gives them a second chance at life.
Why is there suddenly a problem?
The UK Government is introducing new legislation that would ban the importation of dogs with docked tails. Tail docking is illegal in the UK except for a limited exemption for working gundogs. In many European countries, docking is also still legal for working dogs and routine for certain gundog breeds, including Spinoni.
Without an exemption for genuine rescue dogs, the new ban would mean that charities like SOFA could no longer bring in these already-docked dogs — even though the docking happened for working purposes abroad and long before any rescue was involved.
Bailey, thin and scared in the shelter in Italy – proud and magnificent in his new life in the UK
Are imported gundog rescues causing issues in UK shelters?
No. UK shelters are not overloaded with gundog breeds. In fact, gundogs — including Spinoni, Pointers, Brittanys and similar types — are popular as pets and are readily adoptable when they do appear. They are not contributing to shelter pressure.
The RSPCA has expressed concerns about:
- “fashion-docked” breeds imported purely for appearance
- “status” or high-risk types, sometimes linked to criminal or exploitative routes
- Increases in unregulated puppy imports, where docking is used to increase sale value
These concerns are valid. But rescue of adult dogs of traditional working hunting breeds has nothing to do with this problem, and yet they are being swept up in the same category.
Pictures: Pomi, before and after adoption. See more before and after photos here
What is SOFA asking for?
SOFA is asking for a small, tightly regulated exemption for registered charities working to rescue unwanted gundogs, so that:
- dogs who are already docked, legally, in their country of origin
- and who would otherwise face a life in shelters or be euthanised
- can still be rescued and rehomed in the UK
This exemption would be decided in secondary legislation and could include strict licensing, reporting, and traceability — aligning with the Government’s aim to stop illegal, exploitative imports.
Why does this matter?
Because without a rescue exemption, innocent and gentle gundogs will be condemned to life in a shelter or worse, despite posing none of the risks associated with fashion-docking, puppy trafficking, or status breeds. They are not popular as companion dogs in their own country, suffering terrible neglect when no longer useful. and charities in Italy can rarely find adoptions for them.
Photo: Massimo in the shelter,terribly neglected. Look how he changed in his new home in the UK!
SOFA stands alongside other responsible welfare charities in asking Parliament to ensure that the new law stops criminal behaviour without harming genuine rescue work.
Read our request for exemption
Sign our petition: Allow charities to rescue dogs with docked tails under the Animal Welfare Bill
Parliament letter templates
Thank you for listening! From a further selection of our much loved Spinoni <3
