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.
Our biggest event yet! Call for volunteers…
VOLUNTEER WITH US 🩵 We’re excited to announce our biggest event to date, Mad Hatters Dog Day, where we launch the Haute Dogs Calendar! On 20th September at Elmtree's three-acre site in Waltham Abbey, we’re hosting a family-friendly day of fun, and you’re invited!
To make this event as successful as possible, we need YOU. We’re looking for volunteers to help with a wide range of tasks, so if you’d like to be part of this, you can be! Help with the Dog Show, Live Demos, Kid's Craft Zone, run a stall, help at the funfair!
Join our next trip to Romania
Romania Volunteer Trip – November 2025
Join us from 2–5 November for a meaningful hands-on experience in Bucharest. You’ll support and socialise with rescued dogs, support enrichment activities, and learn how the shelter works with local children to teach kindness and compassion. No experience needed – just a big heart and a willingness to muck in.
What’s included:
✔ Shared hotel accommodation
✔ All in-country transport and airport transfers
✔ Welcome and celebration dinners
✔ Underdog volunteer t-shirt
✔ Full team support and a meaningful experience you’ll never forget
“I came away from this experience feeling truly humbled – like I had gained serious perspective and done something genuinely kind.”
Be part of something special.
Help dogs. Inspire children. Change lives – including your own!
Apply now →
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.