SHAK was formed in June 2006 by Stephen Wylie after the sudden death of his beloved German Shepherd cross Shak from Lymphoma.
Uttering those fateful words 'never again' he decided he wanted to help in the world of rescue and sold his own business to concentrate on providing an alternative to the destruction that was happening in pounds all over the country.
It was whilst working in one of those pounds that Stephen quickly saw there were a lot of dogs losing their lives simply because they had nowhere else to go.
Only taking in abused, neglected and abandoned souls or put to sleep cases at the vets, today SHAK takes care of 60+ dogs at any one time.
By providing sanctuary in the beautiful Northumbrian countryside just outside of Alnwick, Stephen and his team help its inhabitants to learn to trust and, as Stephen calls it "allows them to simply be a dog again."
The charity receives no government funding or grants, all of its funds are self generated through its shops in Blyth, Amble and Alnwick, as well as from the wonderful generosity of its supporters.
www.shak.org.uk
"Shak was an amazing friend who got me through some very difficult times in my life. He came to me when I needed him most, but also when he needed me. We learnt how to cope with the big wild world together, we helped each other through each of our own individual problems. The love we had for each other always got us through.
The way he died so suddenly was testament to the strength and love of life he had. The shock of losing my best friend changed my life forever.
By helping others who have been discarded because of their issues just like he was, I hope I still make him proud. I will never forget him."
Stephen Wylie