by Yasmin | 10 Jun, 2025 | Blog, Rescue Stories
Way back, I have wanted to have a dog, particularly a pug but I felt blessed to have neighbours who have a grumble and allowed us to care for them when they went away. These were great times. My partner was also very keen to have a dog, but a big one, particularly a German shepherd. After hours of discussion, we agreed that fostering was a good option for us, and a pug would be more suitable to manage. We completed the online forms to be a foster parent, and had a home check and I think at the time I was not expecting to hear anything again. But less than a fortnight later, I received a call from PDWRA asking if we could foster a little girl for 2 weeks who was about to be surrendered. Of course, we said yes, and arrangements were made between the multiple volunteers to make this happen – they really are heroes – the volunteers put their own lives on hold at a moment’s notice, for free to save pugs.
As our foster girl was coming a long way, we met halfway in a service station. The volunteers passed on the information available, and I sat in the back of the car cuddling and soothing a frightened little black pug who cried all the way home.
Once we were back home, we let her explore and she stopped crying and ate her tea. She had a little walk and was a bit more settled. When darkness fell, the howling started, so we spent the night soothing her. Luckily, nothing wrong with her appetite! After a few days, she was slowly becoming more confident, as we were too. After a week, she seemed more settled and happier and the howling stopped. She was enjoying walking with other pugs, exploring the woods, seeking new sniffs and the outdoor sunshine. I recall a particular day, she had just eaten, worn out from a walk, and she jumped on my lap whilst I was on the sofa and just sat still using me for warmth. This was the moment I realised that she could not go to another home. Arrangements were quickly made, and we formally adopted Martha. I love that we failed at fostering!
Since then, Martha has become the boss – Breakfast is 8am and dinner is 5pm and there is no deviation permitted! Carrot lunch is 12.30 and must not be forgotten. We never knew how strict a pug routine was! She has suffered from the usual pug things, BOAS surgery, eye ulcer and usual pug tummy issues, but thankfully quick to bounce back. We have adjusted to life with a full-time pug jointly enriching our lives. She comes camping with us, loves the beach and exploring. Martha loves company and lucky to be spoiled rotten by grandparents, she walks daily with the grumble in our neighbourhood and is always first to lead us into coffee shops and restaurants, where she behaves impeccably. She will do anything for treats which we do need to watch!
The PDWRA are amazing, they help change lives for many, and we remain ever grateful. I have transported other pugs and love reading about pug adventures from other fosterers and adopters. Each pug is a lovable force that deserves to live their best life.
by Yasmin | 10 Jun, 2025 | Blog, Rescue Stories
Why pugs, why rescue, why the PDWRA? This for us began a long time ago, my eldest son (now 16) fell in love with pugs when he was 4 after meeting a very handsome pug on the Isle of Wight called Dave. A love affair began, which never dwindled, however we could never own a pug because my husband was allergic to pet hair. Fast forward many years and a divorce later, also back on the Isle of Wight, a pug was on holiday in the caravan next to us !! It is fair to say that my son did not relent in his persistence over owing a pug & fate has a funny way sometimes. When we returned home, the research began. I knew I wanted to rescue a dog, there was no way I was buying a puppy when so many dogs need a forever home and the most important part was that whoever came our way, their name had to be Dave.
I researched local pug rescue teams, found the PDWRA and applied. Thankfully we passed all the interviews and were placed on the adoption register. A call came through sometime later asking if we would consider a lovely boy with wonky legs and with a resounding ‘yes’ from our little family of 3 Dave became ours.
I knew nothing about pugs, a lot about dogs but not pugs. I have totally fallen in love with their wacky little characters, their need to be with you, the fact that they are as excited to see you if you have gone into the garden and come straight back in or if you have popped off to the shops, the fact that they have to be on your lap if you are sitting down.
We were smitten! We utterly adored Dave and his existence in our lives changed a lot of things for the better. Sadly, he became very ill, very quickly, a year after we adopted him and was put to sleep in December of 2023. I have known heartbreak but nothing on this level, so whilst scrolling the PDWRA Facebook page in the following January, getting my fix of puggy beauties, I saw a post asking if anyone could give a cute, tiny little innocent looking lady a home! Cue Sandra ….. a sign from Dave I think! She is a pint-sized hurricane of a dog…
We adopted our chaotic 4kg bundle of energy, also known as Sandra, in February 2024 and have not looked back. She is hilarious, stubborn and totally adorable, she absolutely has us wrapped around her little paws. She is our world and owns us, it is not the other way around and our lives are infinitely better with her in charge of our house.
by Yasmin | 5 Jun, 2025 | Blog, Rescue Stories, Volunteering
Finding the right match of pug to adopter can mean literally going the extra mile for the pug in question, and this was the case for Wilfred.
PDWRA have a network of Volunteers who generously give up their time to transport pugs for us, collecting from owners, being part of a transport run, or taking to waiting homes.
In Wilfred’s case he needed to join his adopter near the South Coast, so getting him from his Foster Carer in the North, all the way there, was going to be a challenge!
We already had another pug, Michael who was due to be rehomed further along the South coast to Wilfred’s destination. His journey was already arranged and he was due to travel by train from London. So it made sense for both pugs to travel together, and our Volunteers stepped up to get Wilfred to London in good time to catch his train.
Both Wilfred and Michael travelled in style down to Brighton, attended by Michael’s Foster Carers, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
It’s not usual for pugs to travel by train and we don’t insist on first class ! However, we do welcome those who are able to give up some time on the odd occasion to drive a pug, or pugs, to their destinations.
At the Station they were met by their respective adopters who were overjoyed to make the acquaintance of the new members of their families. Everyone was beaming!
It is such a rewarding way to participate, albeit in a short but important part of a pug’s life.
******
Wilfred, at the end of a long day & just the beginning of his new adventure!
******
Volunteers are welcome in all parts of the country, and it may be that the trip could be incorporated into a planned visit for business or a family occasion. One of our Volunteers even dropped a pug off to its Forever Home on her way to a funeral !
We are grateful for the time freely given by our Volunteer transporters; pugs could not join their respective fosterers or adopters without their support.
If you are able to help a pug along its life journey by transporting between homes, sometimes in a convoy for longer journeys, please complete the online application form here:
Volunteering for PDWRA | The Pug Dog Welfare & Rescue Association
******
by Yasmin | 4 Jun, 2025 | Blog, News, Volunteering, Fundraising
💖This week is National Volunteers’ Week, and the perfect time for PDWRA to celebrate its ongoing gratitude to ALL Volunteers! 💖
🤗 THANK YOU ALL! 🤗
We could not help Pugs in Need without the voluntary contributions each & everyone makes with their skills, experience & time. Our costs are covered solely by public donations & fundraising!
Volunteers contribute to all stages that enable rehoming, from Trustees in Management to the regional rehoming co-ordinators (Voluntary Area Co-ordinators – VACs), who facilitate local pug rescue/surrenders, health & welfare assessments, rehabilitation where needed, and organise the onward placements to the pugs’ best-suited homes.
This is where regional, local, Home-checkers & Transporters are essential, volunteering their time to achieve the goal of rehoming Pugs in Need safely and securely.
Additionally, to support these operations, are the dedicated small teams for the PDWRA Facebook Mega Auction group’s Fundraising, plus Communications, managing PDWRA’s Website and Social Media, keeping everyone informed & updated.
******
Here’s a recent, wonderful example of Volunteers going the extra mile to get pugs along their life’s journey to their Forever Homes. In this case, Wilfred & Michael reaching their respective Forever Homes.
Read the full story with more photographs, here: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/thank-you-pdwra-volunteers-transporters/
******
Volunteers are welcome from all parts of the country.
We are grateful for the time freely given by our Volunteer Transporters, as well as Home-Checkers; Pugs could not join their respective Fosterers or Adopters without them!
To find out more about Volunteering to Transport or to Home-check or Foster, please see our webpage: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/volunteering-for-pdwra/
For other dedicated Voluntary roles to consider. See our Vacancies at: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/volunteer-opportunities-at-pdwra/
by Yasmin | 2 Jun, 2025 | Pug Home Appeal, Blog, Rescue Stories
👏 * GREAT NEWS UPDATE: Ray & Carla have found their Perfect Forever Home, together of course! * 👏
**********
RAYMOND (RAY) & CARLA.
This Brother and Sister pair, are 8 years old and very devoted to each other. Ray more so than Carla. He’s a sensitive soul and uneasy if she’s not around.
Both were quite lively on first arrival with their fosterer but have calmed down now they are in a routine and regularly walked.
Carla is a cuddly affectionate pug and loves the company of humans. Happy and calm around other dogs and accepting of cats. She is friendly and inquisitive on meeting people, though not tested on children.
Carla is to undergo surgery to improve her breathing. Once recovered, she will be able to enjoy life to the full. Both are neutered.
Ray is a gentle pug who loves to be stroked, he can suffer from anxiety and is at his happiest in the company of humans and with Carla by his side. Almost totally blind in one eye, he has adapted extremely well and this does not hinder his ability to enjoy the world around him.
He needs regular application of eye drops to ensure the eye is properly lubricated. Ray’s very sociable and gentle with other dogs, he can be friendly but rather shy on first meeting new people.
He gets on well with cats but will try to steal their food!
Ray prefers to walk in more peaceful settings away from traffic noise.
Both will thrive in a peaceful and calm household with love and affection. They do suffer with separation anxiety which will need to be worked on. A home with children over 10 years is advised.
Please also ensure you have read PDWRA’s Guidelines & Conditions for Adopting, at: https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/adopting-a-pug/
If you have any specific questions about Ray & Carla, or your application for them, please email Jackie at: se@nullpugwelfare-rescue.org.uk
Afterwards, do check your email spam/junk or deleted folders, in case any new mails from us aren’t recognised as safe-senders.
** We offer A £100 discount (£50 per pug), when adopting a Bonded-Pair of Pugs! **
Thank you!
******
To see the difference adoption can make to your life and theirs, see some of our heart-warming Rescue & Adoption Stories for Bonded-Pairs at:
https://pugwelfare-rescue.org.uk/perfect-pairs/
