Change Lives

Change Lives

Wednesday 28 October 2020

New SHAK T Shirts Availble In Stores Only.....


I am really proud of these new T Shirts which send out a message Oscar himself would have been very proud of......

We have limited number of these shirts, in Emerald Green and Heather Green, so due to limited sizes etc they are currently only available in the SHAK Shops at 12 Bowes Street, Blyth NE24 1BD or at 46-48 Queens Street, Amble NE65 0BZ.

If they sell well we may extend the range, but with current uncertainty within the retail sector we decided to keep things small. 

So hurry down to either store to pick up your own one of these vibrant tees and remember "Never Give Up."

Wednesday 21 October 2020

We Are Recruiting.....

We are looking for an enthusiastic person to join our experienced team at our kennels North of Alnwick, Northumberland. 

In the role of a Kennel Cleaner it will be your responsibility to make sure our dogs have a clean and comfortable home to call their own.

Hours we are looking for are from 8am until 12pm, 5 days per week (days may vary) with the successful applicant being paid the national minimum or living wage depending on age.

Whilst this is not directly a hands on role with the dogs to begin with, opportunities to help with our work should develop over time. 

If you are interested in taking the first step to work with our dogs, then please send a covering letter and an upto date CV to office@shak.org.uk or in the post to SHAK HQ, Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB.

(Please note because of location and no public transport your own form of transport is essential.)



Tuesday 20 October 2020

Books Have Landed.....

 WE HAVE HAD A DELIVERY....


LAST CHANCE TO PRE-ORDER BEFORE THEY HIT THE SHOPS.....

Pre-order my 4th and brand new book, Rescue In Lockdown, now from www.shakshop.co.uk 

When the world went mad and the whole country descended into lockdown. There were some who didn’t understand what was happening. When the routine they’d grown to love disappeared along with the ones they’d learnt to trust, they had no idea why. With their entire future in doubt, their lives at stake as the whole world stood still, they still craved the care and attention of before.

Rescue In Lockdown is the story of how a sanctuary for abused and neglected dogs in Northumberland called SHAK try their best to survive a devastating global pandemic.

Following the days told by the charity’s founder, Stephen Wylie, this book is a true account of running a rescue whilst the whole country is in Lockdown. It highlights the desperation for money and the need to adapt. The stress and worry coupled with an instinct to survive.

The real story of the biggest threat to human civilisation which many of this generation have ever faced.

Will the rescue make it through this, but more importantly will the dogs stay alive?



Friday 16 October 2020

EXCLUSIVE Opportunity To Pre-Order 'Rescue In Lockdown'.....

 EXCLUSIVE.....EXCLUSIVE.....EXCLUSIVE.....EXCLUSIVE.....EXCLUSIVE.....EXCLUSIVE.....


When the world went mad and the whole country descended into lockdown. There were some who didn’t understand what was happening. When the routine they’d grown to love disappeared along with the ones they’d learnt to trust, they had no idea why. With their entire future in doubt, their lives at stake as the whole world stood still, they still craved the care and attention of before.

Rescue In Lockdown is the story of how a sanctuary for abused and neglected dogs in Northumberland called SHAK try their best to survive a devastating global pandemic.

Following the days told by the charity’s founder, Stephen Wylie, this book is a true account of running a rescue whilst the whole country is in Lockdown. It highlights the desperation for money and the need to adapt. The stress and worry coupled with an instinct to survive.

The real story of the biggest threat to human civilisation which many of this generation have ever faced.

Will the rescue make it through this, but more importantly will the dogs stay alive?


I am delighted to say my fourth book 'Rescue In Lockdown' will be hitting the SHAK Shop shelves very soon. You can however, pre-order your copy on line now.....


To be one of the first to read how we during the most difficult time we have ever known, follow the link below. Thanks for your support.

BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO GET YOUR COPY OF RESCUE IN LOCKDOWN HERE.....

(Books will be dispatched once they arrive from the publisher. With the current COVID-19 restrictions delivery may take a little longer than normal. Thanks for your patience.)





Friday 2 October 2020

Does This Interest You?....


The latest regional COVID-19 restrictions makes rehoming and placing dogs in foster impossible at the moment. Our procedure of doing either consists of multiple visits to the kennels and to the home, with the current situation neither is practical or safe.

However, my practical days have provided me with a much better insight into some of our dogs, and allowed us to try and correct some behaviours whilst encouraging others.

All of our dogs have a story to tell,  some are more horrific than others, but some could be ready to make the step back into the outside world if we can find the right people to guide them. 

As I said at the start of this post, making that change now is not the right time, but it has given me an idea.

Whilst we wait for the madness in this world to pass, I thought it would be good to gather some experienced homes ready for when the time is right.

It is our policy not to rehome with children or other animals unless we have prior history of the dog living with them before, and for accessibility the homes must be relatively close to us (we're in Northumberland) so home visits could work.

If you are interested in offering yourself as an experienced Fosterer (be in temporary or forever) then please email foreverfoster@shak.org.uk telling us a little bit about yourself and the experience you have.

It may take longer than we hope for this to pass, and I understand you may find your new four legged friend from elsewhere in the meantime, but it would be nice to have homes in mind for the dogs which are really making us proud.


I look forward to hearing from you and stay safe. 

Thursday 1 October 2020

Some Time To Spare.....


I think its fair to say the retail sector has taken a huge hit throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,  with so many units empty on the High Street. Its quite sad seeing established businesses closed, the road to recovery for many will be a long one.

However,  thanks to incredible hard work and dedication from our retail team of volunteers, the two shops which provide a lifeline for the dogs in our care continue to thrive.

In the short time our Amble store has been open it has produced fantastic results.  A great team has been assembled and it feels very much a huge part of the charity's future.

After taking a little while to find its feet after lockdown  our Blyth store has really taken off once again, producing record figures on some days.

This in turn has lead to an exciting opportunity for anybody who has time to spare and wanting to regain a little but of normality in these crazy times.

We are looking to recruit a couple of new volunteers for our Blyth shop, covering shifts from Monday to Saturday.  Obviously we are COVID-19 compliant and all applicants must adhere to the guidelines set out by the Government. 

If you'd like to find out more about the role then please email joan@shak.org.uk