“Life is better with a Setter”

Adopted orange belton English Setter in dog bed

Welcome to Settusfree

About Us

Introduction:

Throughout Europe, Setters are bred as hunting dogs, often regarded as nothing more than a tool and treated very poorly.

Many Setters are discarded at the end of every hunting season or when they become too old or sick to work. Some are left to die; tied up without food and water, others are left to fend for themselves on the streets and some are taken to a basic, local pound.

The lucky ones are found by our rescue partners and in conjunction with Settusfree (SUF) are prepared for a better life. We work with our European rescue partners in Spain, Italy, Greece and Serbia, to support abandoned Setters. Each Setter we rescue is cared for, vaccinated and tested for Mediterranean diseases, in preparation for a better life.

Our History:

SUF was originally formed in July 2014, when a group of like-minded people got together with the aim of helping to rescue stray and abandoned Setters in Spain and find them adoptive homes in the UK. Not long after, the focus widened to include other parts of Europe where Setters are commonly used as working dogs.

Over the years, as the work has expanded and more funds were raised, charity status was sought and granted in June 2017.

Our Mission:

To help as many abandoned Setters as possible and to find them loving, forever homes in the UK.

Tri coloured rescued English Setter in a field

Meet the team

Settusfree is a charity, run by a group of amazing volunteers, spread across the country. We share the same passion: to rehome as many abandoned Setters as possible in the UK.

We would like to thank all our volunteers that help behind the scenes with the day to day operations of the charity - THANK YOU!!!

Trustees

  • A woman with blonde hair smiling while holding a white owl on her gloved hand outdoors with green grass and trees in the background.

    Thelda Bryant

    Interim Chairperson & Adoption Manager

    Thelda has grown up surrounded by dogs and lives in East Sussex with her Gordon Setter Reba, but she has previously had other Gordons as well rescue English Setters.

  • Lady in cozy jumper, wearing glasses, sitting in front of a window with blinds.

    Claudia Johnson

    Secretary & Greek co-ordinator

    Claudia works full time and lives in Cambridgeshire with her husband and two English Setter rescues from Greece.

  • Lady in a cozy sweater hugging an English Setter dog indoors.

    Valentina Vennarini

    Italian co-ordinator

    Valentina lives in Hampshire with her beloved rescue English Setter Olmo. She has been rescuing these beautiful souls since 2021.

  • Lady in camouflage jacket walking with an English Setter dog on a grassy hill

    Christine Richardson

    Foster co-ordinator

    Christine has an English Setters and a Springer Spaniel, she has had rescues English Setters in the past. She lives in the Scottish countryside with her husband and three daughters.

  • A lady with long hair under a tree with a black and white English Setter dog looking at her

    Carly Arthur

    Balkans co-ordinator

    I rescued my first English Setter in 2020 and completely fell in love with the breed. They have such a wonderful nature and I can’t image owning any other type of dog. I have a real soft spot for senior female setters in particular.

Admin

  • David Rawson

    David Rawson

    Treasurer

  • Snow-covered mountain peaks with a forest of evergreen trees in the foreground, during sunset with a clear sky and contrails.

    James Southerington

    Assistant treasurer

  • Sam Healey

    Spanish co-ordinator

    Sam has had Setters for over 20 years after falling in love with the breed. After finding Settusfree, Sam and her husband fostered Lucas for the charity in 2016 and he never left! They are the best dogs!

  • A woman with blue eyes and dark brown hair hugging a large black and tan Gordon Setter dog in front of a wooden wall with string lights.

    Agata Obtulowicz

    Italian co-ordinator

    Animals have always been part of Agata’s life! Currently, she is a student at the Royal Veterinary College in London and has a lovely Setter at home!

  • Lady kissing an English Setter dog on the nose in a black and white photo, outdoors.

    Pat McCutcheon

    Administrator

    Pat lives in South Lincolnshire in the countryside where she loves to garden along with her two rescue Settusfree setters and very often a foster one too.

  • A woman in a teal sweater holding an English Setter dog with a purple skulls bandana in front of a flowering bush.

    Molly Watt

    Social Media Manager

    Molly loves dogs.

Contact us

Two rescused english setters waiting for a treat