The Kerry Blue Terrier Rescue is made up of a group of dedicated Kerry Blue enthusiasts based in the UK who volunteer their time to care for Kerry’s in need.
The majority of the dogs we help have been voluntarily surrendered by their owners to rescue. The main reason for rehoming is that many new owners find themselves unready to manage the typical Kerry traits of high energy levels, strong mindedness, coat maintenance and dominance of other dogs. Our belief is that breeders should be expected to provide lifelong responsibility for any dog they produce and so where possible we will always try and find any information to help identify the dog’s breeder.
If, for some reason, the breeder cannot be found or cannot take the dog back, The support group will then make every effort to ensure that the ideal home is found to offer the dog the best possible future.
We have people who have offered their homes for foster care, whereby the dogs temperament and behaviour can be assessed by experienced Kerry Blue owners and where this is not possible we work with several vetted and experienced boarding kennels.
If a Kerry is suitable for rehoming we then look through our waiting list to find a home that matches the dog’s needs and personality. Where a match can not be found we will use our extensive network to try and find that suitable home. Once a home has been shortlisted we have volunteers around the UK who can complete a check on the home and family to ensure suitability. We can then help with transportation of the dog and can also help monitor the dogs wellbeing and progress in the future.
Our volunteers
The Kerry Blue Terrier Rescue is made up of a group of dedicated Kerry Blue enthusiasts based in the UK who all volunteer their time to care for Kerry’s in need. None of our volunteers are paid and all monies raised to towards helping any Kerry Blue Terriers in need. Please meet our volunteers below to fin out a bit more about them.
Mark Buckley - Managing Director and National Rehoming Coordinator
I was born in Nottingham (UK) and have lived in the East Midlands throughout my life. I live with my partner and my three young children, Reuben, Olivia & Isla. Sadly I lost my Kerry Blue, Logan in June 2019 aged 14.5, he was amazing and is what made me fall in love with this amazing breed.
Throughout my working life I have always been in customer service and I love dealing with people. My job roles have been varied but always centred around giving great service to customers and caring for colleagues.
In my down time (well….what a young family allow) I have always loved the outdoors, especially walking in the hills of the Lake District and the coasts of Cornwall. I’m currently trying to walk all of the hills (over 200) in the lake district and Logan walked in access of 40 of them.
I first came across the Kerry Blue Terrier when I lived with my previous partner and was in need of a dog that was good with asthma sufferers. It’s fair to say that from that point on I was smitten and simply adored their character.
I had volunteered for several dog rescues over the years and I found their professionalism and passion for helping to rescue and re-home dogs infectious and I realised that I hadn’t heard of a rescue for the Kerry Blue Terrier which was now the only breed for me and hence the rescue was born. I am truly honoured to be part of this rescue, to see how far it’s come in a small space of time, thanks to such a dedicated and passionate group of volunteers who all simply adore the breed and whose sole aim is to help share their collective knowledge in helping the breed and to help find the perfect loving forever home for every kerry blue terrier in need.
Jeremy Corke - Secretary Please email the rescue if you require any further information. Contact: [email protected]
Emma Bendel - Treasurer
Born in the UK, but raised in Guernsey in the Channel Islands. I left Guernsey in my late 20’s and lived in Spain for nearly 20 years only to return back a fluent Spanish speaker. My career has been in finance, as an auditor and then as a fund administrator and accountant, but I have always loved the social side of life—playing several sports and serving on sports club and ex-pat committees, working with homeless folk, organising social and charity events and spending time with friends, both 2 legged and 4 pawed!
All through my childhood I desperately wanted my own dog, only to be told by my parents “When you can afford a dog, look after it and devote your time to one, then you can have one”. Well that finally happened in my early 40’s. After months of research I came across the Kerry Blue Terrier and just fell in love with its personality and character.
My first Kerry changed my life completely, of course, for the better and the second followed fairly quickly after the first. Whilst I lived abroad I became a qualified dog trainer and have devoted the last four years to deepening my knowledge in canine behavioural problems.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to be the Treasurer of the Kerry Blue Terrier Rescue and be involved with such a dynamic and forward thinking group, whose true ambition in life is to find that perfect, forever home for Kerries in need. Contact: [email protected]
Gayle Don - Rehoming and Aftercare Coordinator
I was born in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, however have lived in a town on the North of Glasgow since I was 2. A dog, more specifically a terrier of some sort, has been a part of my life since I was a toddler. We had a westie called Misty who went everyehere with us..she was followed by Penny the most subborn Yorkie ever, a dog has always been part of my family.
I joined Strathclyde Police in 1995 and was a police officer for 20 years working in Glasgow City Centre and West End both as a uniformed cop and detective. When I stopped working such long hours and had a family of my own it was inevitable that a dog would be part of that too. We had a crazy schnauzer called Brodie who got into all sorts of scrapes...unfortunately when he was 5 he contracted an infection and there was nothing we could do...we were heartbroken. This led to our first Kerry Blue. I started to research the breed and we got Ruby...she was followed by Darcy 3 years later.
So now I am mum to 2 human boys, 2 Kerry girls and 1 Kerry boy rescue, we get up to all sorts and have lots of fun together. They are a fabulous breed, their quirks can be testing at times but is by far outweighed by the love you receive. Inspired by the Kerry get togethers held down south I have organised a few in Scotland and through this wonderful breed have met many lovely people who are as crazy about them as I am. I would do anything to help them and when I was asked if I would be fostering co-ordinatior as well as the rescues coordinator for Scotland I had to say yes. I am delighted to be part of this wonderful team who all have the welfare of the dogs and their rescuers at the forefront of anything they do. Contact: [email protected]
Gemma Ridge - Fundraising
Hi, I am Gemma and I live in Leeds, West Yorkshire with my partner and Kerry Blue called Bruce. I fell in love with the breed in my mid-teens when we had a Kerry Blue called Murphy. Although I love all dogs, and have had other breeds in the past, I am completely in love with Kerry Blue Terriers and my dog Bruce. Like most Kerry’s, Bruce is fiercely loyal, cheeky, full of beans and has attitude! Although he has his moments and challenges, I would not have him any other way (maybe less barking would be nice)! I am honoured to be part of the team, excited to raise money for this fantastic charity, and looking forward to helping all the Kerry’s that are waiting for their ‘Gotcha Day.’
Hello there, I am Peter. I live in Suffolk, England.
My first experience of the breed was as a child growing up with the family dog Pickle - a rescue himself from Wood Green Animal Shelters. He was a Kerry Cross, with many imperfections and troubles but always an excellent family pet.
His story is interesting and inspiring, not only spending 12 happy years with us, but also had an adventure of his own at only two years old after he escaped from kennels he was in, when we were away on holiday. Days of searching and poster campaigns finally brought our puppy back home. We were incredibly lucky, and Pickle remained in our family for many more years, developing into a sort of brother to me through my formative years.
The skills I bring to the rescue come from my past experience with charity events organising, promotion, PR and marketing. I am a skilled photographer and designer, film maker and musician.
Since joining the rescue I have set up our very own youtube channel, producing videos for the many wonderful stories the rescue has to offer. I am excited to be able to apply my skills to such a super cause, with support of the other volunteers, and its many many supporters.
Kerry Blue Terrier Rescue is a non-profit organisation which consists of a group of dedicated enthusiasts based in the UK who volunteer their time and skill to care for Kerrys in need. We are dedicated to helping Kerrys find their loving forever homes.
Wherever possible we work with both current owners, caretakers and rescue organisations who have to give up their Kerry because of difficult circumstances as well as finding loving new homes in which to place them. We also help existing rescue organisations find suitable homes for Kerrys in their care. We take considerable care throughout the process of the adoption, helping both the Kerry to adapt to new circumstances and educating new owners about the responsibilities associated with opening their doors and their hearts to this wonderful breed.
We have a network of dedicated volunteers who assist with house checks, dog assessments, matching of dogs to their potential new owners and providing their own homes for temporary placements while we find permanent homes, amongst many other services. We also remain committed to the new owners after the adoption to ensure that the transition for the Kerry is as tranquil as possible and has our life long support.
We will endeavour to keep the administrative costs low so that every penny of the donated funds will go directly to whatever is necessary in order to rehome the Kerry. No funds are used to pay any of the committee members of our network. The various costs include veterinary procedures, behavioural training, transportation and in some cases costs of care homes where no free option is available whilst we find a permanent home.
privacy and security
Privacy Policy Kerry Blue Terrier Rescue (KBTR) understands how important privacy is for you and we are committed to preserving the privacy of all who contact our organisation in respect to volunteering or supporting us, and in connection with giving up, fostering or adopting a dog. Please read the following privacy policy to understand how we use and protect the information that you provide to us.
Information that we collect from you When you contact us by completing our online forms, filling in questionnaires, sending us emails, letters, texts or by calling us you may be asked to provide certain information about yourself including your name, contact details and other personal information. We may also collect information about you from your usage of the organisations Face Book page (Kerry Blue Terrier Rescue. www.facebook.com/groups/417916765022877)
Use of Information We will use and analyse the information we collect so that we can ensure that we provide the best possible platform to rehome any Kerry Blue Terrier who needs help and support from our organisation. We may also use your information to contact you or notify you about important changes or developments to the site or our organisation. We may contact you by post, telephone, email or text. If you change your mind about being contacted in the future, please let us know.
Disclosure of information The information you provide to us will be held on our computers and may be accessed by or given to our volunteers. We may also pass aggregate information on the usage of our site to third parties but this will not include information that can be used to identify you. Finally, if our organisation enters into a joint venture with another organisation of similar structure, your information may be disclosed. Unless required to do so by law, we will not otherwise share, sell or distribute any of the information you provide to us without your consent.
Cookies Cookies are small amounts of information which are stored on your computer. Although we do not presently use cookies, we may do so in the future. If we do use cookies, unless you have indicated your objection when disclosing your details to us, our system will issue cookies to your computer when you log on to the site. Cookies make it easier for you to log on to and use the site during future visits. They also allow us to monitor website traffic and to personalise the content of the site for you. You may set up your computer to reject or block cookies although, in that case, you may not be able to use certain features on our site. If you do not wish to receive cookies in the future, please let us know.
Security and data retention We employ security measures to protect your information from access by unauthorised persons and against unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction and damage. We will retain your information for a reasonable period or as long as the law requires.
Accessing and updating You are entitled to see the information held about you and you may ask us to make any necessary changes to ensure that it is accurate and kept up to date. If you wish to do this, please contact us.
Changes to our privacy policy Any changes to our privacy policy in the future will be posted to the site and, where appropriate, through e-mail notification. Contact All comments, queries and requests relating to our use of your information are welcomed and should be addressed to [email protected]
GDPR Policy The General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 ("GDPR") is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA)
We're pleased to share the Kerry Blue Terrier Rescue GDPR policy with you. This PDF document can be downloaded below.