DAME ELAINE PAIGE AND BERNADETTE PETERS
RETURN TO HOST LONDON’S
WEST END WOOFS
(AND MEOWS)
ALONGSIDE WEST END FAVOURITES
ON SATURDAY 15 AUGUST 2026
AT ST PAUL’S CHURCH, COVENT GARDEN
Following the success of last year’s WEST END WOOFS (AND MEOWS), stage icons Dame Elaine Paige and Bernadette Peters are delighted to return to co-host their fourth annual live event at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden on Saturday 15 August from 10.15am.
WEST END WOOFS is a ticketed event. The cost of a ticket is £10 per person and they can be purchased at actorschurch.org . Money raised on ticket donations goes towards the shelters. You must purchase a ticket to gain access to the Church grounds to meet the adoptable pets and enjoy the staged section of the event.
Bringing together much-loved talent of the West End and their four-legged friends, WEST END WOOFS (AND MEOWS) is a live dog and cat adoption event, working with participating shelters and rescue groups to benefit their charitable work.
Dame Elaine Paige and Bernadette Peters first teamed up to co-host the virtual edition of WEST END WOOFS during lockdown in 2020. It has now gone from strength to strength become an annual highlight in the West End theatre calendar following live events in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Across the pond, Broadway Barks, continues to be a howling success over 28 years on!
Dame Elaine Paige said today “I’m so excited about this year’s West End Woofs! I’m proud to say, it’s become such a successful annual event. Along with our generous cast members, helping find forever loving homes for the wonderful dogs and cats who, for so many different reasons, have found themselves abandoned is very heartwarming. Nothing beats seeing them get the second chance they deserve. Every wagging tail and happy purr is a reminder that a little kindness can change a life!”
Bernadette Peters said today “I am thrilled to partner again this year with my friend Dame Elaine for our 4th annual West End Woofs celebrating and finding homes for our furry 4-legged wonders who bring love and joy to humankind. My heartfelt gratitude to Londoners who have generously opened their hearts and homes to provide shelter for our beautiful friends.”
The adoption event begins at 10.15am with a ‘meet and greet’ with all the adoptable pets. From 11.00am adoptees make their West End debut on stage alongside some of the West End’s favourite stars from Hamilton, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Oliver! Paddington and The Devil Wears Prada with special guests including Bella Brown, Janie Dee, Richard Dempsey, Peter Egan, Cole Escola, Sarah Hadland, Bonnie Langford, Jak Malone, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb and Jac Yarrow, with more names to be announced soon.
The participating shelters and rescue groups taking part in WEST END WOOFS (AND MEOWS) are:
Pro Dogs Direct
Saving Saints Rescue
German Shepherd Rescue South
Noah’s Ark Dog Rescue
Home Run Hounds
All Dogs Matter
Peterborough Cat Rescue
Fetcher Dog
All proceeds from the event will benefit the great work they do. Full details of each organisation below.
Follow WEST END WOOFS
Instagram: @westendwoofsuk
Facebook: /westendwoofsuk
Pro Dogs Direct – https://prodogsdirect.org.uk/
Working across the UK, Pro Dogs Direct operates a non-destruction policy rescuing and re-homing unwanted, neglected or abandoned dogs. Ou vision is to re-home dogs that are desperately in need of help DIRECTLY from foster home to forever home. Getting the dogs to safety is our priority. Our dogs live in private foster homes with volunteers; this allows us to really get to know them and, when they are ready for adoption, find exactly the right new home for them. Being in a normal home environment is better for the dogs, but it does mean that they cannot be visited prior to adoption (other than by successful applicants). We felt there was a need for dogs to be re-homed without going into kennels; hence the addition of ‘Direct’ to our name. Our vision is that: whenever possible dogs go DIRECTLY from FOSTER home to their new permanent home although, in emergencies we sometimes have to use kennels temporarily to get dogs to safety and out of difficult situations. We often take puppies and dogs that might otherwise be put to sleep. This could be strays that have ‘timed-out’ or dogs and pups that are ill, and unwanted. This means that, before they can be rehomed, many of our dogs need extra medical care and TLC. Many have had a traumatic past and never known a loving hand and home, this is particularly true for the ex-breeding dogs we rescue. Our aim is to place each dog in the best possible home rather than simply re-homing them on a first come first served basis.
Saving Saints Rescue – https://www.savingsaintsrescue.co.uk/dogs/
Many Saint Bernards within Europe are used as working dogs and are often crossed with other large breeds – they are sheep protection dogs or guard dogs in some countries such as Romania. In these countries there is no specific legislation making animal abuse an offence. Some countries have no official dog rescue or shelter welfare and some Eastern European countries have ‘killing stations’. An owner can take their dog that they do not want to a killing station. Quite often, all the dogs in the killing stations are killed in one night. We believe all dogs deserve better than that, which is why we work with our European rescue partners. Many dogs that come to use have been abused by their owners, discarded onto the streets to fend for themselves, and many are chained. Some are starved. We often have less than 5 days to rescue the dogs that we are contacted about to fund their removal and move them to safe shelter. In the UK many people buy St Bernards as they see them as cute puppies. However, once the dog is around 8 months old, without having adequate training, they often decide they can’t handle the dog so they contact us to rehome – or they sell them on unregistered sites. Sometimes we are offered pups who have health problems, like blindness or hip dysplasia. We take these dogs and offer them the best life that we can with people who are committed to the breed and understand their needs. Our mission is to raise further awareness and educate humans in the psychological and physical welfare issues specifically related to the St Bernard as a breed, and to encourage responsible and safe dog ownership and welfare of big breeds in the UK and Europe.
German Shepherd Rescue South https://www.german-shepherd-rescue-hampshire.org.uk/
German Shepherd Rescue South began in 2007 with just 5 dogs. Carol and Brian Middleton had limited funds but big dreams as they learned how many German Shepherd dogs needed help and rescuing. A few years later, GSRS became a registered charity, operating across the south of England, dedicated to finding happiness and security for this intelligent, special breed. The rescue helps German Shepherds stay successfully in their own homes, find suitable new homes, or find placements in fosters. All the dogs that come to the charity are fully assessed before being put up for adoption. The assessment involves an experienced volunteer visiting the dog in their own home to learn about their behaviour and temperament. GSRS takes great care that their dogs are matched with the right owners and home environments to ensure that the first home they find is their forever home.
GSRS also saves dogs from pounds that are in danger of being euthanized, and they will work closely with these dogs to address any behavioural needs before they are up for adoption.
When their dogs are adopted, the rescue provides full rescue backup and will insist that if any issues arise, the dogs are returned directly to the rescue so they can keep striving to find the perfect forever home for each and every dog.
The rescue has an incredible volunteer base that raises awareness as well as much needed funds, and they are grateful to their wonderful supporters.
Noah’s Ark Dog Rescue – https://www.noahsarkdogrescue.co.uk/
We are a small team of volunteers, dedicated to the rescue and rehoming of abandoned dogs and those in need from both the UK and overseas. Our non-profit organisation is based in Peterborough but we do adopt and foster dogs throughout the UK with kennels based in Norfolk, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire. The team make regular visits to Romania which are 100% self funded, and testament to our level of dedication to support and help our fabulous rescuers on the ground, we of course get lots of Arkie cuddles and help socialise our pups and dogs whilst they are awaiting their tickets to board the happy bus. Spay and neuter campaign: The single most important thing that we can do to save cats and dogs from all the suffering and death that their overpopulation causes is to spay and neuter them. Spaying and neutering are routine, affordable surgeries that can prevent thousands of animals from being born, only to suffer and struggle to survive on the streets, be abused by cruel or neglectful people, or be euthanized in animal shelters for lack of a loving home. Works with a shelter called Rin Tin Tin on this ongoing spay and neuter campaign.
Home Run Hounds – https://homerunhounds.co.uk/
We are a West Midlands based charity specialising in finding homes for retired racing Greyhounds. Home Run Hounds is a “Not for Profit” company run by Claire Butler. Claire is calling on her experience from over 30 years with the breed including volunteering at several “homing” charities which gives her a strong basis in which to develop this new Homing centre which was started in 2022 and is assisted by many volunteers who enjoy the same passion. Currently the Centre has several hounds under its care and as funds and donations grow it is hoped to increase the number of hounds who need a home. Claire is backed by dedicated volunteers who come to site to walk the greyhounds and take them on new “adventures” to experience new sights and sounds that they may not have come across whilst “racing”. Greyhounds are still not seen by the wider “Dog Loving” public as a “pet” although they are the most loving of breeds and from birth develop a strong connection with their human counterparts. Greyhounds are a “pure” breed and can very often chase their lineage back many many years. (Because of this pedigree and because they were used in racing, HRH is strict about neutering their dogs so that they are never used illicitly for breeding.) They are not a “designer” pet that costs £1000’s but for a sensible donation you can home a wonderful dog and have the full support of Home Run Hounds from adoption until it is time for them to chase a Rainbow. Home Run Hounds offers Foster To Adopt which means that potential adopters having chosen a potential new family member can foster that hound for 2 weeks to see if both pet and family are suited. This has proven extremely successful and takes the “pressure” of both families and “hounds” who all need to settle in to a new life. Home Run Hounds also does not discriminate on age so will consider all ages when homing a greyhound allowing the older generation to continue to enjoy a faithful friends company into their elder years helping not only with loneliness but mental stimulation as well. Home Run Hounds is not only a Homing Centre but also works with the Community to benefit the area by involving both “homed” and “homeless” hounds in various activities which can benefit both the people and the hounds. These activities include:- Working with various Care Homes in the area to visit residents with certain mental health needs as well as the enjoyment of the visit for all who reside at the Home. Visiting End of Life Care Homes to brighten up patients last days. Conducting Group Community talks to all ages Women’s Institute Evening talks with the presence of “homed” hounds Supporting various “Weight Watcher” Groups re increasing weight loss through walking activities. Working with the disabled to enhance their mental and physical experiences. Working with Work Experience Pupils who want to work in the “homing” environment.
All Dogs Matter – https://alldogsmatter.co.uk/
All Dogs Matter is a dog rescue and rehoming charity working in and around London to transform the lives of unwanted and abandoned dogs. We also rehome dogs in need from overseas. In 2022 All Dogs Matter rescued and rehomed 349 dogs with new owners. We work in partnership with individuals and organisations to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs in need. Our many partners include local council authorities, foster carers, dog trainers and vet practices. We also work with members of the public to rehome their dogs if they are no longer able to look after them and help to reunite owners with lost dogs. In our rehoming capacity, our small, dedicated team matches each dog with the right new owner, ensuring that it will be safe, cared for and loved for the rest of its life. We combine the use of foster homes and kennels to care for dogs before they find their forever homes. Our foster carers are experienced dog lovers who often have dogs of their own and are dedicated to helping our dogs get back to a happy, healthy life. Many of our dogs are placed in foster homes so they can be assessed before rehoming. By living with a family, the dog gets used to the everyday routine it will experience when rehomed. International work: We work on an international level helping to rehome abandoned and unwanted dogs from overseas. We’ve worked with Humane Society International UK as an Emergency Placement Partner shelter to rehome dogs rescued from South Korean dog meat farms, and currently work with Mira Dogs shelter in Egypt to rehabilitate and rehome abandoned dogs. These dogs are given a new life with experienced and loving owners in the UK.
Peterborough Cat Rescue – https://www.peterboroughcatrescue.org.uk/
Peterborough Cat Rescue are a self-financing group made up of people who love cats and are concerned about cat welfare. We believe that all cats should be neutered to prevent the widespread number of unwanted animals that find themselves in rescue centres.
Fetcher Dog Rescue Centre – https://www.fetcherdog.com/
Fetcher Dog rescues dogs from UK pounds as well as the streets and kill shelters of Bosnia.
UK pounds are currently bursting with dogs that are looking for safe spaces to go. After 7 days in a pound, the dogs are put to sleep if a rescue space isn’t found. Fetcher Dog does whatever they can to save as many of these dogs as possible and give them the chance of a happy and full life. They also help with local owner surrenders, and the Kent authorities know to contact them when needed.
At least half of their rescue mission occurs in Bosnia, where thousands of dogs are born on the streets, fated to the cruelty of starvation, disease, and brutal acts. Street dogs are rounded up by dog catchers and often placed in kill shelters. Our local rescuers pick up stray street dogs and remove as many as possible from kill shelters, taking them to safe and secure facilities where they no longer need to live in fear. Here, they are taken care of. Fetcher Dog gives them everything they need for a fresh start and the best possible chance of a happy, healthy life, finding homes in England & Wales.
