With our doors now closed after a decade of rescue, surrendering a dog to Pupcakes is no longer possible. However, we have created this page to offer guidance for guardians who may be facing a tough decision.
We are heartbroken to step away. As a specialist rescue, we often worked with dogs facing the greatest challenges - complex behavioural needs, trauma, or bite histories - and we know how few places there are for such dogs.
While we can no longer continue that work directly, we hope the guidance below will help you explore the options still available.
Across the country, surrender requests have outstripped successful adoptions. Dogs are staying in rescue longer, leaving fewer spaces available, especially for those with more complex needs.
Many of the dogs needing rescue are showing significant behavioural difficulties, including bite histories or patterns of behaviour that require long-term support. Some have never had the right help. Others have been through multiple homes or professionals already.
Supporting these dogs takes time and a lot of money. They can't simply be assessed and offered for adoption, it’s about helping them feel safe again, building trust, and preparing them to return to life in a home environment.
Many dogs are not only responding to their own past trauma or unmet needs but also to the stress and emotional strain in their households. As our lives get busier and more pressured, dogs can pick up and reflect that tension in their behaviour.
Taking simple steps to calm yourself can make a real difference to how your dog feels and behaves too. Click the button below if you would like to explore more about our mutually emotional connections.
Bringing a dog into your life means making a commitment - not just to enjoy their company on the good days, but to stand by them when things get difficult.
Many guardians reach out to rescues after struggling for some time, often feeling stuck or unsure where to turn next. Some have already tried working with trainers or behaviourists, but haven’t yet found the right support to make lasting progress.
Not all trainers or behaviour professionals have the experience to support dogs with more complex or entrenched behaviour. Approaches can vary widely and many still only focus on surface-level management, without exploring what’s driving the behaviour in the first place. Across the dog professional roles, there is an increasing awareness of underlying emotional needs, anxiety and pain being potential factors in driving undesirable behaviours.
But real, lasting change is possible, and it starts with choosing the right support, someone who uses kind, modern techniques and can help you see what your dog is struggling with, not just what they’re doing.
🔍 Who should you trust to help you and your dog?
Finding the right behaviour professional can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to pick someone to work with who can truly make a difference.
💡️ Could pain be affecting your dog’s behaviour?
Pain is a common but often overlooked reason for changes in behaviour. Subtle or previously undetected pain — from musculoskeletal, digestive, or skin issues — can either directly trigger problem behaviours or worsen existing anxiety or reactivity. Dogs don’t always show pain in obvious ways, but changes in movement, mood, or tolerance can be early clues.
You can read more in this article for both dog guardians and professionals:
Understanding the link between pain and behaviour – Veterinary Ireland Journal
📍 Find an accredited behaviourist below or ask your vet to recommend one:
– Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC)
– Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC)
For a deeper understanding of other factors which may be driving your dog’s behaviour — including emotional triggers such as anxiety, fear, frustration, or situational patterns — read Understanding Anxiety and Aggression – WVS Academy
If funds are tight, there’s still accessible support to help both you and your dog :
🐾 Affordable Behaviour Support
The Dogs Trust now offers an expanding library of free online guides alongside their Behaviour Support Line — providing step-by-step help with common behavioural challenges. Their resources are user-friendly and available even if you don’t want to call.
Vet Care Assistance (means‑tested)
Depending on where you live, the following charities may be able to help with veterinary costs:
🔗 PDSA – low-cost or free treatment options for qualifying owners.
🔗 Blue Cross – runs charity clinics and offers subsidised care.
🔗 RSPCA – local branches may offer financial assistance based on circumstances.
You don’t have to face this alone. These charities are here to help when money is a barrier.
Living with a dog who is struggling can be deeply challenging: emotionally, physically and practically. But these patient souls often have more capacity for healing than we give them credit for.
If you participate in their journey, they may show you a strength you didn’t know they had and a connection you didn’t know was possible.
Even though we can no longer take dogs in, we still want what’s best, both for them and for you.
Please, don’t give up too soon.
We never forget a Pupcake and we will always care about their wellbeing. Although we can no longer accept dogs back into rescue, we will do our best to offer guidance if you find yourself unable to keep your dog. Please contact us so we can talk through the options and help you find the most compassionate way forward.
Pupcakes Rescue And Rehab