The Canine Unit Appeal
Rhinos are under threat. Criminal networks continue to target them for their horns, putting wildlife, habitats and nearby communities at risk. Specially trained dogs are helping to change this. Working alongside trained handlers, these loyal canine teams respond to poaching threats, uncover illegal wildlife products and strengthen security in local communities. Your donation will support their vital work.
From midday on 2 December to midday on 9 December 2025, every donation you make to our Paws on Patrol appeal will be doubled up to £50,000. Your support will help keep these incredible dogs healthy, equipped and ready to protect rhinos, other wildlife, their habitats and the communities living nearby.
This year’s matched funding, totalling £50,000, has been generously provided by Save the Rhino Inc., Jim and Tammy Patton and champion funder The Reed Foundation. With your support, we are aiming to raise a total of £100,000 through this year’s appeal.
How your support helps
You donation will support canine units based at our partners in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in South Africa, North Luangwa Conservation Project in Zambia and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
in Kenya, helping to cover essential costs such as food and veterinary care for the dogs, as well as salaries, training, equipment and vehicle support. Funds will be allocated according to prioritised needs identified by our partners and Save the Rhino International.
The difference you will make
By supporting Paws on Patrol: dogs saving rhinos, you will help canine units stay healthy, well- trained and fully equipped. Your donation will strengthen their ability to prevent wildlife crime and protect rhinos, other wildlife and the landscape they depend on.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Big Give Christmas Challenge is an incredible opportunity to maximise the impact of your generosity. By participating in this initiative, every donation made during the campaign is matched by our generous pledgers and partners, doubling the funds we can raise for rhino conservation. This means your contribution goes twice as far to support canine units across Africa.
The Big Give Christmas Challenge is a week-long online fundraising campaign running from midday on 2 December 2025 to midday on 9 December 2025. During this period, every donation made to our campaign will be matched by our pledged funds and partners. For example, a £20 donation becomes £40, doubling the impact of your gift.
Donations made during The Big Give Christmas Challenge can be completed from anywhere in the world, however, they must be made in GBP. It is your responsibility to be aware of any international charges made by your bank. We aim to include more currencies in the future.
The Big Give payments processor is Stripe and they require donations to be made online using a debit/credit card and Apple Pay and Google Pay. The following card types are accepted: Mastercard / Visa / Maestro / Switch / Solo / Delta / American Express.
Donations made after midday on 9 December 2025 will not be matched, but they will still contribute to our overall mission to protect rhinos. Every gift, matched or not, plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and survival of these incredible animals.
Dogs bring unique skills to rhino conservation. Save the Rhino International supports canine units by providing:
• vet care, food and essential kit
• kennels, vehicle fuel and maintenance
• training and exchange visits to improve skills and share best practice
Your donation will help keep these dogs healthy, equipped and ready to protect rhinos, other wildlife, their habitats, and the communities living nearby.
50% of the funds raised through The Big Give Christmas Challenge will support canine units based at our partners in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in South Africa, North Luangwa Conservation Project in Zambia and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, helping to cover essential costs such as food and veterinary care for the dogs, as well as salaries, training, equipment and vehicle support. Funds will be allocated according to prioritised needs identified by our partners and Save the Rhino International.
50% of the funds raised through The Big Give Christmas Challenge will enable Save the Rhino International to cover our operational costs including salaries, project and financial management for our support to partners across Africa and Asia. This enables us to continue supporting rhino conservation initiatives globally and sustain our efforts to ensure rhinos thrive in the wild.
We’ve embraced innovative technology, including Artificial Intelligence, to enhance our storytelling. One example is using AI to transform still images of rhinos and their environment into dynamic moving videos. These videos bring the incredible work of the Mule Patrol Unit to life, helping us share their story in a compelling and impactful way with supporters like you.