Margaret Green Animal Rescue, based at Church Knowle near Corfe Castle in Dorset, which has saved more than 60,000 pets since opening its centre in 1965, is celebrating its diamond anniversary with a bold new vision to redefine rescue work.
The charity is transforming its approach by launching a foster care service, training volunteers to care for animals temporarily in their home, rather than at rescue shelters, until permanent forever families can be found to adopt them.
Holly Hewson, senior animal rescue carer at Margaret Green, will help launch an animal foster care service
A new approach is needed
The new scheme was announced at Margaret Green’s popular Country Dog Show in Church Knowle on Sunday 10th August 2025, where the charity’s new 60 Years Challenge fundraising campaign was also officially launched.
Supporters are being asked to take on a challenge based around the 60th anniversary, whether that’s baking 60 cakes or running 60 miles, with proceeds going to help the charity’s new vision.
Animal centres, built to take a large number of rescue animals, are no longer the best way to tackle a changing problem
“A last resort for rehoming”
Nigel Mason, chief executive officer of Margaret Green, said:
“When the charity was young, our model was based on building centres like this one at Church Knowle, that could take in lots of animals.
“They were generally located outside towns like Swanage and Wareham to reduce noise and disruption, but still be accessible enough for people to visit us to rehome a rescue animal.
“That model worked 50 or 60 years ago, but in the last 10 years, it’s become less effective, mainly due to social media becoming an attractive channel for people to find pets.
“What’s more, the animal rescue charity sector isn’t legally regulated, meaning anyone could set up an organisation, regardless of quality. Responsible rescue charities like ours have become a last resort for rehoming, and that’s really worrying.”
The staff at Margaret Green are to raise money for the 60th anniversary appeal by pulling a Boeing 737 50 metres in 60 seconds
“Covid set us back 20 years”
Nigel added:
“Covid also set us back 20 years, and we’re still picking up the pieces today. So many people obtained pets they couldn’t look after properly during that time, and they’ve subsequently come into our care.
“As a result, there’s been a significant imbalance in the number of animals needing care and the number of appropriate rehomers.
“In response to these major changes, we are transitioning to a new model. While our core centres remain a key focus, we’re also becoming far more integrated and visible among our communities through proactive engagement.
“Animals are a huge part of communities, so getting to the heart of them is key and we are set to launch an animal foster care service, where trained volunteers look after animals in their homes while the charity finds them a new place to live.
“This new initiative gives the charity more flexibility to find loving forever homes, while helping more people and animals. We can place as much importance on preventing the need for rescue as its rescue services themselves.”
Daniel and Adele Flooks of Wareham with Cosmo, one of Margaret Green’s rescue success stories
Teddy the Shih Tzu was one of 95 puppies rescued from a Devon breeding farm and found a new loving home with Paul and Helen Hemington
Success stories at County Dog Show
The diamond anniversary is also celebrating the charity’s legacy, with anyone who has rehomed an animal from Margaret Green over the past six decades being asked to share their stories and photographs.
There were plenty of animal lovers at the Country Dog Show who came forward, including Daniel and Adele Flooks of Wareham whose labrador retriever cross dog Cosmo had been to four different homes before Margaret Green rescued him and although he needed help with anxiety issues, he now loves cuddles with everyone.
Teddy the Shih Tzu was one of 95 dogs which had to be rescued in a multi agency operation by the RSPCA and Margaret Green from a breeding home in Torquay three years ago, in what was described as the worst case of its kind.
He was given a new home by Paul and Helen Hemington and his life has been transformed so much that his owners hope Margaret Green will feature Teddy and some of the other Shih Tzus they saved in their 60th anniversary celebrations.
Lambo, the Irish Staffie, was picked up by Margaret Green at the age of two as a stray and had issues around men and other dogs – but owner Claire Bishop, who has had him for nearly 13 years, says he is the most chilled and happy dog she has ever known.
Lambo, the Irish Staffie rescue dog, with owner Claire Bishop
Watson the Westie, with Claudia Pharoah-Salisbury, having been placed second in the ‘dog most like their owner’ class
Church Knowle remains hub of activity
Nigel Mason said:
“This centre at Church Knowle, Margaret Green’s first, remains a hub of activity 60 years after it opened, and its founder’s legacy lives on. While so much has changed over the years, our purpose has remained the same.
“Margaret’s values and love for animals continue to inspire everything we do. This is both a time to celebrate and to make sure we are here for many more decades to come.
“Her unwavering love and devotion was inspirational and our 60th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on everyone’s hard work, celebrate our achievements, and reaffirm our focus for the coming decades.
“By doing so, we can continue giving thousands of animals the care and loving homes they deserve for many years to come.”
A family of golden retrievers in the dog agility ring
Cooling down with a doggie ice cream at the County Dog Show, Church Knowle
Margaret Green staff ran a popular preloved stall for dog equipment
Further information
- Get involved with the 60th anniversary celebrations at Margaret Green
