About Us

The family behind RSDR

In August of 2007 Diane and Tony Rowles along with their four children (Samantha, Kerry, Liam and Luke), four dogs and two cats, decided to move to the beautiful, mountainous town of Rudozem from the UK for a more peaceful life. The family were shocked to see so many dogs on the streets who were starving and more often than not, fell victim to horrendous abuse.

The family began taking in the sickest and weakest of these dogs but quickly realised that they couldn’t house all these animals, which were in such desperate need of help, at their family home. It was then Rudozem Street Dog Rescue was born and with the help of volunteers across the world and the generous donations of the public they were able to begin sending dogs and cats for adoption to caring, loving homes where they would never feel hunger or fall victim to abuse ever again.

Eventually the building which would become the shelter would be acquired and the Rowles family continued their work. Striving day in and day out to rescue, rehabilitate and care for these animals and find them the loving homes that they so deserved.

Unfortunately the family were faced with opposition from locals and officials and despite years of fighting for the shelter to be ‘registered’ as such and to allow us to continue with the rescuing and rehoming of the dogs and cats in Rudozem, they were informed in 2020 that registration of the shelter would not be possible. The family can’t take in any more animals from the street and all adoption trips had to stop. The family were devastated by the decision after they had helped thousands of animals and knew there were so many more that needed their help.

The Rowles family still have animals at the shelter who were rescued from the streets before this decision was made by officials and their lives are now dedicated to loving and caring for the dogs and cats there who will never get the chance to have their forever home. This is their home and we are their family.