Rescuing, Caring, & Rehoming Dogs for over 20 Years
Every rescue begins with someone who cares. Be that someone.
Thousands of dogs are still waiting for a second chance
Join us in making Ireland a safer place for dogs.
Adopt a Dog
When our dogs are ready to be rehomed, we open applications to caring owners who can offer them a safe, loving home.
Foster a Dog
Become a foster carer and help our dogs adjust, recover, and prepare for their forever homes in a safe and loving environment.
Make a donation
As a volunteer-run charity, every euro you donate helps provide food, shelter, and medical care for our dogs in need.
Thousands of dogs are still waiting for a second chance
Join us in making Ireland a safer place for dogs.
Adopt a Dog
When our dogs are ready to be rehomed, we open applications to caring owners who can offer them a safe, loving home.
Foster a Dog
Become a foster carer and help our dogs adjust, recover, and prepare for their forever homes in a safe and loving environment.
Make a donation
As a volunteer-run charity, every euro you donate helps provide food, shelter, and medical care for our dogs in need.
Thousands of dogs are still waiting for a second chance
Join us in making Ireland a safer place for dogs.
Adopt a Dog
When our dogs are ready to be rehomed, we open applications to caring owners who can offer them a safe, loving home.
Foster a Dog
Become a foster carer and help our dogs adjust, recover, and prepare for their forever homes in a safe and loving environment.
Make a donation
As a volunteer-run charity, every euro you donate helps provide food, shelter, and medical care for our dogs in need.
Dogs Waiting for Homes
Our Dogs Waiting for Adoption
How We work
Dogs in Distress follows a careful, step-by-step rescue-to-adoption process to ensure every dog finds a safe, loving home.
01. Rescue
Many of our dogs are rescued from local pounds, where they have only a few days to be saved. Others come from homes where their owners can no longer care for them or from distressing situations where they’ve been abandoned or neglected.
02. Foster Care
They are placed in a loving foster home (not kennels) where they feel safe and cared for.
03. Care & Recovery
They are given a full check over, cared for medically and a loving temporary home found.
04. Adoption
Once a dog is ready and fully recovered, we match them with a suitable permanent home.
You Can Make a Real Difference Today
100% of Your Donation Helps the Dogs
You Can Make a Real Difference Today
Your Kindness Keeps Our Rescue Mission Going
My experience with Dogs in Distress has been absolutely fantastic. I was so lucky to find my new best friend Daisy through DID, the process was brilliantly handled by the volunteers particularly Marie. Daisy was in foster care with a fantastic lady Geraldine who was so good on my visits to see Daisy. Daisy has now become my best friend, follows me everywhere, she is so happy and so am I. I would highly recommend DID to anyone looking for a new friend. Thank you to all the volunteers. Louise and Daisy
Louise Lattimore
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Frequently Asked Questions
Got Questions? We’re Here to Help
All of our dogs stay in foster homes — never in kennels. Each dog receives a full health check, any necessary medical care, and lives in a safe, loving home environment while waiting for adoption.
Absolutely. Fostering, donating, or even sharing our adoption posts online helps us massively. Every act of support makes space for another dog to be rescued.
Once you apply to adopt, our team carefully reviews your application to ensure a good match. We may arrange a call or home check before final approval. This process ensures the safety and wellbeing of both the dog and their new family.
Foster carers need to provide a safe indoor space, time for basic daily care, and the ability to bring the dog to vet or adoption appointments if needed. We supply food, vet support, and guidance throughout the foster period.
Yes, many of the dogs we rescue come from difficult backgrounds. They receive vet treatment, rehabilitation, and behavioural support before being matched with a suitable home.