Son Remembers Mum Who Ran Dog Rescue in Derby for Decades

A Derby animal rescue founder’s son spoke about his mom. Andrew Stephenson remembered growing up in a busy home. His parents, Margaret and Larry, loved animals. They once owned five German Shepherds. The family lived in Chaddesden.

Margaret and Larry met in London and worked at Sanderson and Holmes. They married in 1948 and later settled in Derby. The couple had three kids: Andrew, Geoff, and John. Geoff died in 2016, and Andrew shared how dogs always surrounded them, saying his parents loved animals so much.

In 1968, they moved to North Lodge on Derby Road, needing more room for their animals. They swapped houses with a friend, a situation Andrew thinks would not happen now. They rented the property from Locko Park and then rented a field next door.

More animals came to their home, and Andrew said they enjoyed a great childhood in both Chaddesden and North Lodge. They also showed dogs in competitions.

Eventually, Larry retired at 58, and they both focused on dogs. They started East Midlands German Shepherd Rescue and took any dog in need, never saying no. They helped dogs with issues, wanting to give them good lives and finding new homes for them, and they kept them if they could not.

Andrew said his dad brought home surprises. Once, he called about a horse and asked his mom to empty a kennel, and she agreed, like it was normal, because it was for them. They also rescued a calf whose mother rejected it.

Margaret decided to raise it, and the cow grew up with dogs, acting like one. She saved it from slaughter, and it lived a long and happy life. They loved animals deeply.

The rescue rehomed many dogs, starting in the 1980s. The local news covered them, and they won an award for kindness to animals. They cared for 19 dogs when Margaret was 77 and Larry was 82. They used their own money, along with donations.

Helpers supported them regularly, and people liked them in the community and city. Larry died in 2012 at 87, and Andrew worried about Margaret. She continued running the rescue with the help of voulenteers.

Andrew said she kept going after his dad’s death and worried her, she kept the rescue going. She only stopped when she got sick, then the charity closed. They lived their dream of helping animals.

Andrew is very proud of them and thinks they had a great life. Margaret also had six grandchildren: Helen, Richard, Laura, Paul, David, and Mark. Her funeral is February 27 at Trent Valley Crematorium.