Association of Dogs & Cats Homes

What Association of Dogs & Cats Homes does

The Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) is a UK-based voluntary membership organisation founded in 1985 that unites dog and cat rescue and rehoming charities in the UK and Republic of Ireland. It is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England and Wales (Charity No. 1180574), headquartered at a London PO Box, with a lean staff of 1–10 employees. ADCH does not receive government funding and is supported through membership fees, conference sponsorship, and supporter donations.

ADCH's core offering is a tiered membership programme — Full Membership (sliding-scale fees tied to member income, with voting rights, standards assessment, grants, and supplier discounts), Solidarity Membership (starting at £20,000 annually for major supporters), and Affiliate Membership for adjacent animal welfare organisations — combined with a year-round events programme anchored by a sold-out annual conference (600+ attendees at Telford International Centre in 2026), regional group meetings, and forums for fundraising, volunteers, and legislative advocacy. The organisation sets and enforces Minimum Welfare and Operational Standards via a formal assessment process. Ancillary services include a curated supplier catalogue marketplace, a centralised rescue jobs board, a Find a Rescue public directory, and pet owner resources covering adoption, microchipping, and cost-of-living support.

Commercially, ADCH operates an event- and community-driven go-to-market model. Revenue is generated through recurring membership subscriptions (including a £150 non-refundable application fee), multi-tier conference sponsorship (Platinum sponsors include Battersea and Petplan), and donations via the website, Facebook fundraising, and easyfundraising. The customer base consists of six named Solidarity Members (Battersea, Blue Cross, Cats Protection, Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Woodgreen) representing the UK's largest animal welfare charities, alongside a broader set of Full and Affiliate members. ADCH has no proprietary technology platform, no app, and no AI components — its value is delivered through standards governance, convening power, and curated partnerships.

Name

Association of Dogs & Cats Homes

Legal name

Association of Dogs and Cats Homes

Website

https://adch.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ADCH is a UK and Ireland voluntary membership organisation founded in 1985 that unites dog and cat rescue and rehoming charities, setting Minimum Welfare Standards, running a sold-out 600-attendee annual conference, and providing tiered membership, supplier discounts, and legislative advocacy without government funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Membership Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB)

Keywords

• Animal welfare charity
• Dog cat rescue
• Rehoming standards
• Charity membership
• Pet welfare advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: ADCH generates revenue through membership fees charged on a sliding scale based on member organization income. Full membership fees are determined by income bands submitted to relevant charity registers. Solidarity Membership starts at £20,000 annually.
2. Conference and Event Sponsorship: Revenue generated from sponsors and exhibitors at the annual ADCH Conference. Platinum sponsors include Battersea and Petplan, with various sponsorship tiers available.
3. Donations and Fundraising: ADCH receives donations from supporters and conducts fundraising activities including Facebook fundraising, easyfundraising, and e-card donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ADCH is a voluntary membership organization for dog and cat rescue and rehoming charities, providing tiered membership (Full, Solidarity, Affiliate), an annual flagship Conference, a year-round programme of regional meetings and forums, a curated Supplier Catalogue, and supporting resources such as a Find a Rescue directory and Rescue Jobs Board. It safeguards welfare standards for dogs and cats needing new homes and supports those working and volunteering in the sector across the UK and Ireland.

Product overview

ADCH is a voluntary membership organisation for dog and cat rescue charities, not a product company with a software platform. The organisation's core offerings consist of tiered membership programmes (Full, Solidarity, and Affiliate Membership), its annual flagship Conference, a year-round Events Programme (including Regional Group Meetings, Open Meetings, Fundraisers Forums, and Legislative Forums), a Supplier Catalogue marketplace, a Rescue Jobs Board, a Find a Rescue directory, and Pet Owner Resources. These services are membership-driven rather than technology product-based.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ADCH Membership Tiered membership program for dog and cat rescue organisations including Full Membership (voting rights, access to standards assessment, grants, and supplier discounts), Solidarity Membership starting at £20,000 annually, and Affiliate membership for organisations in the broader animal welfare community. Open for application four times per year.
• ADCH Conference Annual flagship conference for the animal welfare sector, held at venues such as the Telford International Centre, featuring educational sessions, networking, and the Petplan & Animal Charity Awards. The 2026 conference was sold out with over 600 attendees.
• ADCH Events Programme Year-round event programming for members including Regional Group Meetings (East Midlands, South Midlands, North West England), Open Meetings, Fundraisers Forums, Legislative Forums, Volunteer Training, and virtual events.
• Supplier Catalogue Curated catalogue connecting ADCH member organisations with vetted suppliers across categories including Animal Housing, Equipment, Food and Treats, Health and Safety, Insurance, Legal, Microchips, Pet Nutrition, Systems and Databases, and Wellbeing.
• Find a Rescue Public-facing directory on the ADCH website that helps members of the public locate nearby ADCH member rescue organisations for adopting or rehoming dogs and cats.
• Pet Owner Resources Resources for pet owners including adoption information, rehoming guidance, pet care advice, cost of living support, microchipping information, and pet-friendly housing campaigns.
• Rescue Jobs Board Centralised job board for animal rescue and welfare organisations, listing vacancies across member charities including Battersea, Dogs Trust, Cats Protection, RSPCA, and Blue Cross.

Quantifiable outcome

• 600+ professionals united at annual conference
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Battersea Dogs and Cats HomecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSolidarity Member providing Platinum sponsorship for ADCH Conference. As a Full Member meeting Minimum Welfare Standards, Battersea participates in ADCH events, forums, and advocacy efforts.
• Blue CrosscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSolidarity Member and Focus Sponsor for ADCH Conference. Provides veterinary care, rehoming, Pet Loss Support services. Listed as supplier in ADCH Supplier Catalogue.
• Cats ProtectioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSolidarity Member and Stream Sponsor for ADCH Conference. UK's largest cat welfare charity providing expertise and resources to the sector.
• Dogs TrustcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSolidarity Member and Stream Sponsor for ADCH Conference. Major supporter providing dog food banks and veterinary care programs for homeless people.
• RSPCAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSolidarity Member and Stream Sponsor for ADCH Conference. Major animal welfare charity providing pet food banks and vet bill support.
• Woodgreen Pets CharitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFocus Sponsor for ADCH Conference. Has conducted 'Hidden Lives' research revealing pet welfare crisis affecting millions of UK pets.
• PetplancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Sponsor for ADCH Conference and host of Petplan & Animal Charity Awards celebrating sector achievements.
• ByotrolminorOthersLeading provider of biosecurity and infection control solutions to the animal welfare sector. Offers ADCH Members special prices on all products.
• MDC by Génia GroupminorOthersMulti award-winning designer and manufacturer of humane animal handling equipment and care products.
• CitationminorOthersHealth & Safety, HR & Employment Law compliance support for small and medium sized organizations.
• Battersea AcademyminorOthersProvides grants and animal partnerships, bringing together individuals and organizations to improve outcomes for dogs and cats.
• Agria Pet InsuranceminorOthersPet insurance provider working with rescue organizations to protect pets going to forever homes.
• Royal CaninminorOthersNutritional support provider for rescue cats and dogs. Rescue products designed for transition from kennels/catteries to forever homes.
• Pet-ID MicrochipsminorOthersSpecialist microchip supplier with ISO Standard products. Offers ADCH Members special prices through Member Benefits section.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cats Protection: UK's largest cat welfare charity, operating rehoming centres, helplines and education programmes. A Solidarity Member and Stream Sponsor of ADCH; comparable as a major rescue/ welfare charity rather than as a federation peer.
• Dogs Trust: Major UK dog welfare charity operating rehoming centres and community programmes including dog food banks and vet care. A Solidarity Member and Stream Sponsor of ADCH; operationally large-scale but a service-delivery charity rather than a sector association.
• RSPCA: The UK's largest animal welfare charity, combining frontline rescue and rehoming operations with advocacy, inspectorate powers and a wide membership programme. Overlaps with ADCH in mission and is a Solidarity Member, but operates as a direct service-delivery charity rather than a sector membership body.
• Blue Cross: UK pet charity providing veterinary care, rehoming, pet bereavement support and education. Solidarity Member and Focus Sponsor of ADCH Conference; comparable mission but operates as a direct service provider rather than sector association.
• Woodgreen Pets Charity: UK pet welfare charity with rehoming, behavioural support and research programmes, including 'Hidden Lives' research highlighting pet welfare crisis. Solidarity Member and Focus Sponsor of ADCH; a peer charity in mission and scale rather than a sector association.
• The Kennel Club: The largest UK organisation dedicated to dog welfare, health and breed standards, with a long-standing membership scheme and standards framework. Comparable to ADCH in convening the dog sector and setting standards, though it operates more broadly as a registry and lobby group than as an association of rescue charities.
• Battersea Dogs & Cats Home: Iconic London-based dog and cat rehoming charity with Platinum sponsorship of ADCH Conference. Adjacent to ADCH as a leading member organization while operating a single-site direct-delivery model rather than a federation model.

Direct peers

• Pet Industry Federation: UK trade association for pet businesses offering membership tiers, events, supplier benefits and sector representation. Directly comparable to ADCH as a UK domestic membership body convening the pet/animal care sector with tiered subscription revenue.
• Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC): US national trade association for pet retailers, groomers, breeders and rescues, providing standards, advocacy, events and member services. Closely comparable to ADCH in model — a membership body setting standards and convening the animal care sector — but operating across the Atlantic.

Regional players

• AMDO (Association of Membership and Development Officers): UK professional association for membership and development professionals working in charities, social enterprises and professional bodies. Comparable to ADCH as a small UK membership body, but focused on the membership management profession rather than animal welfare, and listed as an Associate partner of ADCH.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ADCHsocial
• Xx.com/adch_news
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-dogs-cats-homes

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association of Dogs & Cats Homes