Who We Are 

Saving Strays is a small, entirely volunteer run U.K. charity who are passionate about 

dogs. We love them.

It all began in Sarajevo in 2017 when our co-chairs Maria Slough and Peter Egan 

travelled to Bosnia to make a documentary film about the stray dog crisis in Eastern 

Europe. What they witnessed was life-changing. Initially working to support a team of 

volunteers supporting a lone rescuer, the group has evolved to become the organisation 

it is today. 

The dogs that we rescue are captured using barbaric methods and sentenced to death, 

while others are discarded like waste to survive the harshness of street life. It is not 

uncommon for dogs to be waterboarded, kicked or shot at on the streets. With our main 

focus currently in Bosnia, we have also given support to dogs abandoned in the U.K. 

when families can no longer care for them, providing care when we can. We rescue 

these dogs, spay, neuter and rehabilitate them, adopting them into loving 

families whenever possible. 

Our love for dogs knows no bounds; if we see a dog in pain 

or distress, we will do all we can to make the life of that one dog better. Those that we 

rescue who cannot live in a home are given lifetime sanctuary at our working partners 

facility in Bosnia with Mersad and Melisa. Our patrons are actor Peter Egan, music icon 

Rick Wakeman, Vocalist Mollie Marriott, illustrator Rachel Wakeman and star of Strictly 

Come Dancing and TV Presenter, Ian Waite. 

Our Spirit - We believe that every single life matters and we consider the different needs 

of every individual sentient being that comes into our care, with the aim to relieve their 

suffering and improve the life of every dog we meet. We collaborate with Canine 

Behaviour Practitioner Emma Phillips who has visited all our dogs creating individual 

plans for the socialisation of each one. Just like people, dogs have different 

personalities and good and bad days, and we endeavor to support our dogs as they 

navigate their world. We believe that there should be no prejudice in rescue, just 

patience, kindness and understanding. We may be small in size, but we are mighty in 

spirit and vision. 

One Day at a Time, One Dog at a Time - We are passionate about the power of change 

through knowledge and understanding and showing the way with kindness and harmony so we can work away at the bias that sees dogs wrongly judged and so treated with such cruelty. Our goal for the dogs that we rescue in Bosnia is to eventually rehome them in-country and we only bring a very few to the U.K. each year. Our longer term goal is to have a small Eco Sanctuary here in the UK with sensory cabins in place of kennels. The stray dog crisis can feel overwhelming so we approach everything that we face with the belief that we will always do the best that we can and face the challenges, one day at a time and one dog at a time