Bailey’s Fund
Bailey’s Legacy Will Live On: the Very First Dog Rescued by SOS Italian Setters
‘Bailey’s Fund’ has been created to support all terminally ill dogs coming into SOS Italian Setters rescue. It has been named after a very brave dog who defied all odds and fought leishmaniasis and cancer for almost 4 years.
Bailey was the very first dog rescued by SOS Italian Setters. He was found in January 2022, starving, with little hair left, desperately ill with leishmaniasis. He made a full recovery from leishmaniasis but in August 2022 cancer struck. It was terminal.
Bailey passed away at the estimated age of 7, in November 2025.
Bailey was a pioneer, his life has helped save over 100 dogs so far and counting. Celebrating his life will hopefully encourage support of the SOS Italian Setters work ensuring his legacy continues to grow.
So why adopt a rescue setter from SOS Italian Setters?
With between 10 to 20 thousand puppies officially recorded every year, Italian breeders register more Setters than the rest of the world put together. Without any doubt, Setters are the Italian hunters’ preferred choice. Unfortunately, a huge proportion of these dogs end up, abandoned as strays or in grim pounds. Others are killed in accidents, or deliberately. There are places in Italy where dogs’ lives count for very little..!
SOS Italian Setters rescue these dogs from the highways and byways of Southern Italy, from public pounds with thousands of dogs incarcerated in small enclosures, and directly from hunters who don’t want them anymore. We help them recover with excellent veterinary care and begin a new life in a home where they will be cherished.
Setters make wonderful family pets as they are one of the gentlest and loving dogs of all.
Be prepared for pawprints on your heart!
SOS Italian Setters is a non-profit making organisation. We need you, our dogs need you more importantly! Please donate – every little really does make a difference.
If you would like to register your interest in one of our dogs please fill in the form on our contact page or email Chiara (chiara@sositaliansetters.org.uk).