Dogs Trust ambulance service celebrates a century of rescuing dogs

The National Canine Defence League (NCDL), which was founded in 1891 to campaign against cruelty, purchased its first ambulance in 1926. In 2003, the charity became Dogs Trust and is now the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. 2026 marks 100 years since Dogs Trust ambulances first hit the road, saving and changing the lives of thousands of dogs during a century of caring.

Dogs Trust now has five ambulances travelling up to 17,000 miles a week. Every journey starts with compassion and care, with the charity’s ambulance drivers playing a vital role in transporting dogs to safety, giving every dog a second chance in life.

Part of this vital work includes rescuing stray dogs from local authority pounds. With the UK home to around 38,000 strays, Dogs Trust ambulance drivers often come to the rescue of unwanted dogs that have been abandoned or neglected. Dogs Trust Penrith Transfer Centre is the charity’s only specialised transfer and logistics hub, from where dog ambulances collect strays and rescue dogs, transporting them to rehoming centres across the UK or into local foster care. Dogs Trust also operates the ‘Chance of a Lifetime Scheme’, where dogs from council pounds in Northern Ireland are transferred to the UK for a new life.

Dedicated ambulance drivers like Aimee Turner, do everything possible to reassure every dog before their journey in an ambulance. It’s such a significant moment for every dog, as it’s the moment their lives are saved. Dogs like Rottweiler-Doberman cross Buddy, Husky cross Nutmeg, and Lurcher puppy Maple, whose journey to their happy place all started with a trip in a Dogs Trust ambulance.

Aimee Turner, Dogs Trust Transfer Driver, said: “Our ambulance service is essential to the lives of so many unwanted and stray dogs like Buddy. After the trauma these dogs have faced, getting into the ambulance can be another distressing moment for them. But our ambulances are state-of-the-art, meticulously designed with the dogs’ well-being foremost in mind, ensuring they are calm and comfortable on any journey. We give the dogs time to settle and play classical music to help them relax. When we get to the rehoming centres, and the dogs are welcomed into their temporary new home, I always think about the uncertain fate they didn't realise they were so close to and all the happiness that awaits them.

“Some dogs stay in your mind, like the day I collected Buddy. He was frightened, barking in fear, and he didn't understand what would happen to him next. I also remember how his tail started to wag when he arrived at the rehoming centre, it was as though he realised he was safe in our care. Buddy's happy future began with a trip in our ambulance, just like it does for many thousands of dogs that have been saved in the last 100 years, and that is a milestone worth celebrating.”

Some of the dogs helped by a Dogs Trust ambulance have found their forever homes with famous faces, including globally renowned interior designer Nina Campbell OBE, rock guitarist Sophie Lloyd, Dogs Trust ambassadors Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes OBE and This Morning TV Vet Dr Scott Miller.

Dr Scott Miller said: “I’ll always be grateful to Dogs Trust for bringing my working Cocker Spaniel, Mango, into my life. Along with many other dogs, he began his journey to safety in a Dogs Trust ambulance, so I know how essential the charity’s ambulance service is and how life-changing it is for many dogs like my Mango. Congratulations to Dogs Trust on 100 years of their ambulance service, and keep up this amazing work making such a positive difference for dogs and the people who love them.”

To see more about the work of the Dogs Trust ambulance service, go to: www.dogstrust.org.uk/drivinghome and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_G8UGl9DNQ