SHAK was founded by Stephen Wylie in June 2006, after the unexpected loss of his rescue German Shepherd cross, Shak, to cancer. Stephen set out with an aim of helping rescue German Shepherds find new homes, so that other people and dogs could have the same love and happiness he and Shak had shared.
Today, SHAK is a fully registered charity with a team of Trustee's and Volunteers; aiming to help any large breed of dog that may be mistreated, neglected or unwanted by today's community. We operate a strict NO KILL policy, and specialise still in German Shepherds, but also breeds that are having such a hard time of it in the media, for example Rottweilers, Greyhounds and all the Cross Breeds that breed specific rescues can't take.
We help, rehabilitate and then re-home the dogs, helping them overcome their behavioural issues, health problems and their overall fear of mankind, giving them the second chance they so dearly deserve. We have Retirement and Forever Foster Schemes that enables a lot of these dogs to live out a happy life.
Our work is not easy, and can at times become emotionally stressful, however by doing what we do it keeps the vulnerable animals out of local pounds (saving councils money) off the streets as strays (also saving the councils money) and perhaps more importantly, it stops many dogs from being killed through no fault of their own.
SHAK (Safe Homes And Kindness) has come along way since that horrific day in June 2006 which resulted in a wonderful dog losing his life, Shak would be very proud of what has been achieved.
7th March 1999-19th June 2006
Thankful To God
Shak 'picked' me at Longbenton cant and dog shelter on the 7th March 1999. I remember his description on his kennel was 'Bouncy' looking back I guess that kind of summed him up. He was cruelly taken from me on June 19th 2006 at the age of 7 1/2 by Lymphoma
This site is dedicated to the memory of my best friend and also hopefully help other people give rescue dogs like Shak another chance of a happy life they so deserve. People tell me to remember how lucky he was and that I gave him a second chance.....but they were wrong....I was the lucky one.
Stephen Wylie
We are a rescue for large breeds of dogs that are either mistreated, neglected or unwanted in our community.
We only deal with dogs on death row, for many we are their last chance.
We help to rehabilitate and re-home the dogs, some of which have behavioural issues or health problems. The others are due to be killed for simply 'falling out of fashion'.