Search and rescue dogs are used in many mountain rescues

Man’s best friend is seeking new friends, to help in finding lost and injured outdoors fans.

A rescue dogs’ association is looking for supporters for its members, with the launch of a new website and friends’ group.

The National Search and Rescue Dogs Association is an umbrella group representing the various groups across the UK, Republic of Ireland and Isle of Man.

Its Friends of NSARDA group aims to support the work of the volunteer handlers who head out to the hills and countryside to find missing and injured walkers, climbers, mountain bikers and other outdoor fans.

Bronze, silver or gold membership is available, with annual or monthly subscriptions and Friends receive, among other things, lapel badges and car stickers, along with a membership certificate.

An NSARDA spokesperson said: “Since the search for missing five-year-old schoolgirl April Jones from Machynlleth in mid-Wales last October, NSARDA and its search dogs and handlers have been in the spotlight like never before in the 48 years if its history.

“Over 30 dogs were called in from as far away as Northumberland, Devon and Cornwall day after day, week after week covering hundreds of square miles in the hunt for her.

“Sadly we all now know the outcome.

“The general public’s interest in the work of our dogs and handlers has been echoed with a new and extended website explaining how the dogs are trained, the differing types of search methods we employ and the diversity of terrain and locations in which we work.

“Launched on the new site is The Friends of NSARDA by which the general public, organisations and businesses can directly support the work of the handlers and their dogs.”

More details, along with membership subscription details, are on the NSARDA website.