How To Support Teesside's Local Dog Rescue This Christmas

Maxi’s Mates’ vital work in our region began with one dog and a promise. Jane spotted a stray dog, Maxi, near the A66 and couldn’t turn away, so she set up a Facebook page and met the charity’s co-founder Michelle Cooper. With the help of dog wardens Maxi was caught and transported to a local rescue. ‘Then we thought it would be a good idea to approach the local Waterfall Kennels,’ says Jane. ‘They had the contracts for Redcar and Cleveland and the Middlesbrough area. I asked if they could post pictures of the dogs online so people could know more about them. We helped to get volunteers, donations, and dog walkers, and it just escalated from there. Then in 2012, Maxi’s Mates went live on Facebook, but after a few years we found out that Waterfall Kennels was closing, so that’s when we campaigned to get our own kennels. After a successful campaign, we started here with the Redcar and Cleveland and Hambleton contract.’

With charity status secured, a derelict stable at Carlin Howe Farm in Dunsdale was transformed and Maxi’s Mates opened its doors on 1st January 2016. ‘We started with 12 kennels, a shell of a building, and it’s just snowballed from there. We now have 50-plus kennels and about 17 part-time staff. It’s just been a rollercoaster!’

'When you take on a puppy, really think, can you look after this dog if anything happens in the future?'

Today, Maxi’s Mates cares for stray, abandoned, and surrendered dogs – some dogs find homes quickly, others stay longer, and some never leave, but Maxi’s Mates is always there for them.

It’s never been more important to support the charity as the number of dogs coming into its care increases. ‘Up to now on our out-of-hours call outs, I’m up to 1,475. That’s our number. The dog warden has different numbers and so there’s quite a few thousand dogs that have been through our kennels,’ Jane says. ‘We also help with owner surrenders as well, and we’re up to 1,414 dogs. Whether they are a litter of puppies or a solo puppy, we are up to puppy number 219. With the cost of living crisis, splitting up from partners, becoming addicted, becoming homeless – there’re a lot of people that need to find a new home for their dogs.

‘The biggest thing I will say to people is to really, really do your research. When you take on a puppy, really think, can you look after this dog if anything happens in the future?’ The kennels are full almost all of the time now. ‘It’s very sad at the moment for all of us and our worst year that we’ve had on record.’

There are numerous ways you can support Maxi’s Mates this Christmas and beyond. ‘Every winter we have a Winter Warmth campaign which helps towards the electricity, which has tripled,’ says Jane. ‘They can donate money, they could even buy us some heat lamps or radiators. We do have a sponsorship scheme to sponsor a kennel. Supporters can also send us dog food. We have an Amazon wishlist. People physically come along to bring us dog food, toys and presents as well, all wrapped up. People are very kind at Christmas.’

The team are currently in the process of revamping the kennels. ‘The first eight need revamping now,’ says Jane. ‘Some of these dogs now are staying with us for a long time so they do pick up bad habits from other dogs. It’s just about keeping them as happy as possible, and less frustrated, so the new kennels will be more soundproof and they can’t see or smell the other dogs, so it’s better for them to feel more safe and secure, and with the run at the back with daylight and fresh air, they’ll be happier dogs.’

Find out more and show your support at maxismates.org.uk.