Career
In 1891 she founded the National Canine Defence League (today known as Dogs Trust) to protect dogs from "torture and ill-usage of every kind". Lady Gertrude Stock brought together a "small party of gentlemen" in the "Royal Agricultural Hall" in Islington, during the first Crufts dog show. The National Canine Defence League began operations funded entirely by donations from members and supporters.
The group campaigned for the protection of strays, the provision of proper veterinary care and to campaign against muzzling, prolonged chaining and experimentation on dogs, which was a common practice at the time.
By 1902 membership had risen to 1,000.