Our Proud History

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Introduction

It was late 1960's that 4 Like minded people who had a love for the English Setter Breed of dogs

came  together and started the process  to form a charity with one objective to care and to help the English Setter breed of dog in time of need.

 In those early days English Setters were a popular breed with many litters available, several of the large, famous kennels are still in existence today.

These fine dedicated kennels along with the Kennel Club  ensure that the breed  have the highest of standards and that the dogs being bred today have bloodlines true to the breed , which give the English Setters their fine qualities . 

Dogs are rehomed for several reasons, some from partnership's  breaking down, their owners demise, or just because a family had taken on more than they could cope with.

 Our priorities are for the Setters needs, and so if we can help people keep their dogs when finances became so short that they have to considered re homing their beloved pet, it is a sorry situation and so if to contribution  towards or even to pay for vet's treatments, which would allow setter to stay with his family must be the way forward , so to us is the best possible outcome for both Setter and owners. 

 Setters which have been surrendered to us or abandoned  but end up in our family all undergo a thorough veterinary examination, and all treatment and vaccinations are brought up to date along with a complete grooming of the dog prior to rehoming where ever possible before they can be rehomed, but the  2020 to 2022 Covid pandemic has made this on occasions more difficult so arrangements are made with the new carer to have this work done on behalf of the ESRA with their local vet.

Home visits are a necessity prior to rehoming, but in theses extraordinary times with the aid of ever advancing technology much of a homes boundaries can be checked for security along with photographs provided by the prospective adopters can save a physical inspection prior to a placement, these details can then be confirmed at the point of placement saving on expensive traveling costs.

 Many a legacy from pet owners has helped us continue with the aim of protecting this wonderful breed and it is the duty of the Trustees to ensure that these generosities are used wisely and efficiently .

In 2019 there were far fewer English Setters litters being bred and therefore fewer to be rescued. Setters have  become a vulnerable breed yet their protection is still an issue which we are happy to undertake.

 It is most  important to find the right home for a dog that  we rehome, one that understands and can put up with a Setter's need's and can give love to a very special breed of dog at the most difficult time for them. We go to great lengths to find the best possible match for the family and environment  to what they have had to leave behind.  

To day  in 2022 we are a small team of dedicated Trustees and are very proud to be able to say that our Charity devoted to the English Setters, with our history, knowledge, and network of volunteers throughout the UK we are able to react swiftly to all requests for help.

People often say that the original is best so we hope we are ! and strive to the best in all that we do in helping the English Setter when in need of our support.  

The world has changed since those early days, and so has the ESRA  we have had to adapt to changes in the law, taking on board the content of the dangerous dogs act, the duty of care requirements, Data protection and the list continues to get ever longer.

Our Dedicated Trustees with help from our outstanding volunteer's have risen to these challenges and like so many other organisation's have adapted to the these changes and see them in a positive light to improve our service to the English Setter breed as a whole.

But our Values of the ESRA have remained a constant and so continue to support the many Dogs dependent on it, and importantly the strong foundations created by our founders have seen the ESRA grow into what it is today a stable charity, with enough resources to be able to continue into the future with confidence and maintain our values. 

To provide care and shelter to lost, abandoned or ill treated  English Setters, and where possible to provide support , whichever is the most appropriate  at the  time, to achieve the right outcome for the Setter in their time of need.

The ESRA Trustees, recognised that  Dogs who's owners were no longer able to care for them for whatever reason, were not being rescued, but they are much loved family pets who's owners care enough to re home them, as heart-breaking as that maybe. We are there for them, and their owners making sure that all options are explored before the rehoming option is considered.

 Because this is the most  difficult decision for any family, and to be Trusted with the most precious part of their life is an exceptional privilege and a huge undertaking which  the ESRA except with great pride.

 From that moment a setter joins the ESRA they become one of the family, they may be looked after in a new and loving home but they have become a valued member of the ESRA family for the rest of their lives, and  that responsibility we take very seriously not only to the setter but to their families both past and present.

Our work with rescuing setters is known throughout Europe, the generous services that we offered has saved the lives of numerous dogs in and from Europe. Many of the dogs rescued from Europe had many issues to be dealt some needing extensive and costly treatments, before being placed in an appropriate and loving home often with ongoing support for the rest of their lives..  

 The financial commitment in doing this is enormous, only with the kindness of our supporters enable us to do this work in their name.

So if we had continued in supporting European setters it would have jeopardised the support and care we could offer to our British breed setters, so, stepping back from our work in Europe was a difficult decision to take.

The Trustees and supporters of the ESRA today are as ever committed continuing with the objectives of our founders in caring and finding loving homes when necessary for the ENGLISH SETTER BREED of dog.

Of course none of the work would be possible without the dedicated support of our volunteers, and  the generosity of those who donate to our charity.   

So from those thousands of dog's who have benefited both in the past and those in the future,

a VERY BIG THANK YOU TO YOU ALL. 

We are very proud of our history but even prouder that we can continue with our support!

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