Matilde arrived in the UK in late November 2025 and is now in foster care in Norfolk.

Matilde says hello and goodnight. Our pretty girl is enjoying her time in her foster home in Norfolk. She slotted in so well and is an adorable, beautiful Setterina.

Matilde – who is 5 – gets on well with anyone really. She is a very good little doggie looking for her forever home. She is positive to leishmaniasis but what is there not to love?!

This is the story of how Matilde was discovered.

In early July, in Southern Italy SOS Italian Setters we asked to deal with two heart-breaking discoveries, highlighting the plight of abandoned Setters in the region which becomes particularly bad during Summer.

We discussed whether to show some of these shocking photographs but decided it was appropriate for many reasons, least of all we want you her prospective family to understand not only what she has been through in her young life but how ‘you’ can bring so much joy to her.

She was found on a construction site in Calabria, exhausted and desperate for water and food. Her case highlights the urgent need for greater animal welfare efforts across Southern Italy.

What we do at SOS Italian Setters is a drop in the ocean, but if there wasn’t even this “drop” dogs like Matilde would be lost forever. She was seen by our vets who provided for her immediate medical care needs. We owe our volunteers in Italy a huge thank you for everything they do at the ‘sharp’ end.

Matilde is positive to leishmaniasis but importantly negative to Brucella Canis.

More information about leish can be found on our HEALTH ADVICE page, importantly with SOS Italian Setters you are never alone as you will have 24 hour contact with one of our volunteers who can assist you. Furthermore, both these contacts currently have rescue dogs with leish!

Have you been inspired?

Are you interested in providing the warmth and safety of a real loving adoptive or foster home for Matilde? If so please complete our online Adoption/Foster Application Questionnaire and submit.

Matilde is eagerly waiting to hear who her parents are to be!

If you cannot foster or home a dog you can support our work by making a small one off donation or regular monthly amount – 100% of all money raised is used to support our rescue work. SOS Italian Setters is a registered charity in England &M Wales which is run by volunteers.