History

In 1963 our founder member, Miss Larraine Stallwood convened a meeting that was attended by Mr B Cuff, Mrs K A Grass, Miss Higgs, Mr & Mrs Howarth, Mr & Mrs Lunnon, Miss Naish and Mrs C Sutherland-Rawlings. It was from this meeting that, what was to eventually become Stokenchurch Dog Rescue was formed.

The SDR timeline:

  • 1964 – First AGM held at the Guildhall in High Wycombe
  • 1965 – Mellis Archard, the founder of Crossroads Veterinary Centre, became our Honorary Veterinary Surgeon and, on his retirement, our President. He retained this role until his death in 2012
  • 1977 – Our formal Constitution was drawn up and registered with the Charities Commission. It outlined our aims and objectives that we still hold dear today
  • 1977 – Special meeting convened to find suitable premises for the ever-growing number of dogs being rescued.
  • 1978 – Tower Farm, a former pig farm, was purchased, consisting of approximately 1.25 acres, a cow barn and a 40-room 'mobile home'
  • 1984 - Additional land purchased to provide outside runs
  • 1995 – The rebuilding programme replacing the converted barn is completed, providing us with purpose-built kennels, covered runs, an office and reception area
  • 2000 – A dedicated Isolation Unit is built to house sick and injured dogs. This replaces a smaller building dating from the late 1970s
  • 2004 – Twelve new secure outdoor meadows are opened, along with a large paddock for exercising our dogs  
  • 2006 – Our name changes from the High Wycombe & District Dog Rescue & Welfare Society to Stokenchurch Dog Rescue
  • 2007 – Refurbishment work starts on replacing the existing kennels due to wear and tear
  • 2008 – Shop opened in reception selling new and good quality second-hand items and clothes
  • 2009 – A total refurbishment of the kennels is completed with all wire cages being replaced by bright, spacious rooms with full-length windows and patios
  • 2011 – The well-respected actor Colin Baker accepts the role of Patron
  • 2012 – The failing Isolation Unit is replaced by a new unit and officially opened by Colin Baker
  • 2013 – We celebrate our Golden Jubilee
  • 2014 - Two enrichment gardens are created to enhance our dogs' sensory experience
  • 2015 - Exercise area added at the back of the Isolation Unit
  • 2016 - Modernisation of our computer systems
  • 2017 - Countess Baldwin of Bewdley joins us as our second Patron
  • 2017 - New Integrated administration system that tracks our dogs from arrival to adoption
  • 2018 - Refurbishment of our reception area to welcome new arrivals
  • 2019 - Land purchased for a long-awaited extension to our car park that will take it from an impractical 11 spaces to 62.
  • 2020 - Introduced Text to Donate a new way of raising funds
  • 2020 - New car park is opened 
  • 2023 - We celebrate our 60th Anniversary 
  • 2024 - Solar panels are installed, enabling us to become more self sufficient and decrease our carbon footprint