Foredowne Kennels: Giving abandoned dogs a fresh start

FOR some dogs, arriving at a kennel is the start of an uncertain wait for a new home...

At Foredowne Kennels & Cattery in Kingskerswell, staff work hard to give stray and abandoned dogs a second chance, but owner Gary Wills believes many people still don't realise that rehoming is part of the kennel's work.

He believes greater awareness could help more dogs find suitable homes, particularly among people who may have been turned down by larger rescue organisations.

‘Just because a big rescue denies your application, does not mean there is not smaller rescues out there that are willing to hear you’, Gary said.

‘We will hear people out more, so they’ll have their case heard a bit more.

‘But we are still the experts, we don't want a dog coming back to us.

‘Rehoming a dog is not simple, but it is so rewarding... you are doing the right thing’, Gary added.

He explained that Foredowne takes a flexible approach to potential adoptions, considering prospective adopters’ individual circumstances rather than automatically ruling someone out because they work full-time, for example.

However, he stressed that the welfare of the dogs remains the priority, with staff carefully assessing each animal’s temperament and suitability, before deciding which home would be right for it.

‘It sounds corny, but the dog will choose you’, Gary said.

Dogs brought in as strays must remain at the kennels for seven days to give their owners an opportunity to claim them. If nobody comes forward, the rehoming process begins.

With their health and behaviour assessed, prospective owners are introduced to the dogs in a secure outdoor pens, with staff supervising the meetings and allowing time for a bond to develop.

The work can be demanding, especially when dog arrive in poor condition.

At present, Gary estimates the kennel had around 18 dogs in the process of being assessed or re-homed.

The lengthy of stay varies considerably. Some dogs find homes within a week or two, while others wait months; this is especially true of larger breeds.

For instance, a Lurcher named Rudolph spent 13 months at the kennels before finding a home.

The kennel re-homed close to 100 dogs in 2025.

Since taking over the business around four years ago, Gary says he has expanded the workforce from around six people to 21 and invested in improvements to the buildings, pathways and outdoor areas where dogs meet with potential adopters.

He also hopes to install a roof over part of the meeting area, providing shelter during bad weather, which has forced some introductions to be cancelled.

For Gary and the team at Foredowne, the aim is to ensure more people know that there is another route to finding a dog.

The message is simple: being turned down by one organisation does not necessarily mean adopting a dog is out of reach.