ABOUT UNDERDOG INTERNATIONAL
We are a unique charity that aims to positively impact one million children and dogs by 2025. We work on global projects to encourage kindness, empathy, resilience and confidence. Creating compassion and joy - one dog, one child at a time.
Congratulations to our newly crowned Underdogs of the Year!
Over Christmas and New Year we held our annual vote for you to choose your Underdog of the Year 2025, and your choice was Bonnie and Clyde! This adorable duo were rescued at the age of eight after they were found close to drowning in a swimming pool they’d stumbled into during the height of summer. It turned out they were a breeding pair who had endured a miserable life full of neglect and unkindness, but throughout it all they’d had each other. They were inseparable, and despite their trauma and ill health the two of them continued to look after one another. We knew that separating them was out of the question.
Now living their best life in Scotland, Bonnie and Clyde are blossoming like you wouldn’t believe. They are the happiest pair and are incredible with everyone they meet. They were so keen to forgive and forget, and leave their life in Cyprus far, far behind them. They are very worthy winners of the 2025 title and we’re so proud of them. Congratulations!
You can read all the stories of our amazing Underdogs nominated here, in our Hall of Fame.
New year, new start? Help us support Aspen
Aspen has had such a turbulent start to his life and has been let down so many times. As a puppy, he was dumped in a dark, overcrowded municipal shelter, without any vaccinations and became seriously ill with parvovirus. After making a full recovery, we then arranged for Aspen to travel to the UK to a foster home, as he was finding the shelter quite overwhelming and we wanted to improve his chances of being adopted.
After struggling to adapt to life in a flat, we found Aspen a lovely foster home outside of the city, but regrettably he was so confused by all the change that he couldn’t bond with one of his foster carers at all. We gave them all the help and advice we could, including organising a pain check at the vets in case there was an underlying issue, and employing the support of a behaviourist who travelled over for an in-person assessment within 48 hours. Sadly, they weren’t able to give Aspen what he needed and he was relinquished back into our care within the week. On top of all of this, little Aspen is also deaf, so lives in a world that's a little more confusing than the rest of us.
With no suitable fosters available, and considering Aspen’s stress escalating, kennels were the only option. But wow did he thrive there! His relationships with the staff were fantastic from day one and he was so loving and friendly. The team gave him such incredible 1-1 care, lots of enrichment, love and mental stimulation, and he made so much progress and improvement. He really blossomed and showed everyone that he wasn't a bad dog, just misunderstood and confused.
The downside? It cost us £2500. As a charity, this is an enormous amount of money, but every avenue we’d explored prior to this had resulted in a dead end. Emergencies cost what they cost to resolve, but we really need some support financially to help with Aspen’s expenses.
We have since managed to move Aspen to a more affordable kennels while we find him the perfect forever home, and the poor boy will be spending his Christmas and New Year without a family, but hopefully January will bring him the love and luck he’s wishing for. If you can help with even the smallest amount we would be ever so grateful.
Buy a calendar to support our dogs!
This year we were chosen by Haute Dogs Calendar to be a part of their amazing fundraising calendar. Twelve of our gorgeous Underdog alumni are making their modelling debut, and we can’t wait for you to see them looking their smartest!
Haute Dogs Calendar is a unique celebration of rescue dogs and couture millinery. Their mission is to transform how people perceive rescue dogs, showcasing their beauty and charm through fun photography. Each calendar is a runway-worthy collection, aiming to spread joy and happiness while raising essential funds to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs suffering from abuse and neglect.
The calendar features twelve Underdog rescue pups from the harsh streets of Romania, the overcrowded shelters of Cyprus, the meat trade in China, and the desolate farmland of Bosnia; twelve real life rags to riches stories
Since their first calendar back in 2019, Haute Dogs have raised over £100,000 for dog rescue charities worldwide, saving hundreds of dogs from neglect and abuse, which is an incredible achievement.
Join us in our mission by purchasing a calendar and supporting Underdog International throughout 2026. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of countless rescue dogs.
Find out more about us
What we do
SUPPORTING LOCAL CULTURES
Helping children understand the importance of animals.
Education is one of the most essential elements of a comprehensive approach to changing behaviour. As human behaviour is a highly influential factor in how animals are treated, we believe that the future of animal welfare lies with younger generations showing compassion and understanding.
TAKE DOGS TO SCHOOLS
Our therapy dogs change lives, helping children become more confident.
We run a specialist ‘Dogs in Schools’ programme across the UK, providing trained approved dogs for visits to local schools. Sciefitic studies have proven that children (especially those with SEND) feel more confident, less anxious, and able to improve learning with regular interactions with therapy dogs.
RESCUE & REHOME DOGS
Growing up with a dog creates invaluable bonds and lessons.
Dogs have a special place in the hearts of many adults and children. If well trained and supervised, dogs provide many valuable lessons and benefits to children. Find out five great reasons dogs are super companions for kids as they grow up together.
GREAT BRITISH BARK OFF
Join the event of the year for kids and schools!
Each year we organise an amazing week of activities for school children across the UK. So far, over 300,000 children have taken part since 2021. The week of dog-related activities takes part during June each year and support children’s emotional development and well-being through interactions with dogs.
Our impact
Saving dogs from China meat trade
In China alone, over 10 million dogs are slaughtered each year for the dog meat trade. Dogs of all breeds, many of them family pets still wearing their collars, are snatched from the streets and sold for meat. Since Underdog International launched, we have been committed to doing our small part to end this cruel trade.
Working in collaboration with our partners on the ground in China, we have successfully rehomed over 100 dogs from the meat trade since 2019.