It Started With Grace
DMT DRSG started off as a little group on Facebook after our founder Lesley’s own experience adopting Grace, a dachshund rescued from a meat truck in August 2018. A true example that fairytales do happen. Lesley felt inspired to rescue as many dachshunds as possible from this horrific trade, and as such DMT Dachshund Rescue & Support Group was born on 12th May 2020.
Inspired by Grace’s story and our motto of “No Dachshund Left Behind”, our team of dedicated volunteers continue to work to rescue as many dachshunds as possible from horrific circumstances, with the hope of giving each dog a happy ending.
From Facebook Group to Registered Charity
May 2020: A Small Beginning
On 12th May 2020, DMT Dachshund Rescue & Support Group was born as a small Facebook group. What started as one woman’s determination to make a difference quickly grew into something extraordinary.
The response was immediate and overwhelming. Dog lovers across the UK rallied around the cause, offering to foster, adopt, donate, and spread the word. People were shocked to learn about the dog meat trade and puppy mill industries in Asia, and they wanted to help.
September 2021: Official Charity Status
After just over a year of operation, and having already saved dozens of lives, DMT DRSG achieved a major milestone: official charity registration in Scotland.
On September 2021, we became DMT DRSG (Dog Meat Trade Dachshund Rescue & Support Group), registered charity SC051269
Overcoming Challenges
The journey from a Facebook group to a registered charity saving hundreds of lives hasn’t been easy. We’ve faced enormous challenges along the way:
The Logistics of International Rescue
Every rescue is a complex operation involving:
- Identifying dogs in danger through our network of partners in China and South Korea
- Negotiating with farmers and breeders to surrender dogs for free. No money ever changes hands, as this fuels the trade.
- Providing immediate veterinary care for dogs who’ve never seen a vet
- Arranging safe boarding while dogs recover and prepare for travel
- Navigating international regulations for animal transport
- Coordinating flights that can cost up to £5,000 per dog from rescue to forever home
The Emotional Toll
Our volunteers witness heartbreaking situations regularly:
- Dogs with severe injuries and untreated medical conditions
- Psychological trauma that takes months or years to heal
- Dogs we can’t save in time
- The knowledge that for every dog we rescue, thousands more are still suffering
Yet we continue because every single life matters. Every Grace, every Nancy, every dachshund we save from the dog meat industry or a puppy farm is worth it.
Funding the Mission
It costs approximately £5,000 per dog from the point of rescue to starting their new life in the UK. This includes:
- Veterinary care and vaccinations
- Boarding and rehabilitation in Asia
- International transport and flight costs
- UK quarantine and health certificates
- Food, supplies, and ongoing care
We rely entirely on donations, fundraising events, and the incredible generosity of our supporters to fund these rescues.
Our Growth and Impact
By the Numbers
Since that first Facebook group in May 2020, we’ve grown exponentially:
- Over 300 dachshunds and dachshund crosses rescued from China and South Korea (as of 2025)
- 100% adoption rate – every dog we rescue finds a loving forever home in the UK
- Thousands of supporters across the UK and internationally
- Annual fundraising walks including “Big Strides for Little Legs” in Scotland and the North East
- Active presence across multiple platforms – Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and our website
- Running our very own Charity Events- lead by our dedicated volunteers
Our Commitments
We remain committed to:
- Rescuing every dachshund we can from the meat trade, puppy mills, and kill shelters
- Finding perfect forever homes for every dog in our care
- Working with partners across Asia to increase the scale and scope of our rescue operations
- Raising awareness about these industries to build support for change
- Supporting legislative efforts to ban the dog meat trade and improve animal welfare standards
- Growing our community of supporters, volunteers, and advocates
Join Our Story
DMT DRSG’s story isn’t finished—it’s being written every day by our volunteers, supporters, adopters, and most importantly, by the dogs themselves.
Every rescue adds a new chapter. Every adoption writes a happy ending. Every person who learns about the dog meat trade and puppy mills becomes part of the solution.
Will you be part of our story?
Whether you adopt, donate, volunteer, share our posts, or simply tell someone else about the work we do, you become part of this mission. You become part of the reason a dachshund will know love instead of suffering.
#NoDachshundLeftBehind
This isn’t just our motto—it’s our promise. To Grace, to the 300+ dogs we’ve already saved, and to every dachshund still waiting for rescue.
No dachshund left behind.