Adoption Policy and Procedure

OK so you think you would be able to give one of our wonderful dogs or cats a home:

This is the basic procedure, of course there are always exceptions so don't be afraid to telephone if you feel you don't meet the criteria but could still offer a loving home to one of our animals.

• We require all the household that will be living with the new pet to visit the rescue, including any other dogs you may have.
• If you are thinking of rehoming a puppy we do not like them to be left alone for more than 2 hours at a time, length of time older dogs can be left varies according to the dog in question.
• We have a home checking procedure that basically is to ensure you have a secure rear garden with a minimum 5 foot fence depending on the type of dog, also to check any hazards i.e. swimming pools/ponds etc. are protected.
• We rarely have any dogs that would be suitable for a shared or communal garden.
• We do not re-home an animal if you are about to move house or go on holiday or if anyone in the household is pregnant.
• If it is a cat you want, we need to know if a cat flap will be provided, if not how the cat will seek refuge in a hurry if it has to, we don't re-home cats if they will be living on fast/busy roads, incidentally we do sometimes have indoor cats who would be very happy to live their lives in flats etc.
• If you live in rented accommodation we will need to see written confirmation from your landlord which says animals are allowed.
• We have a full neutering policy. Any animal old enough will be neutered by us, if you are homing a pup or kitten you will be required to sign a agreement to have the animal neutered at a given date.
• We do not home animals to households where existing pets are un-neutered.
• We do not home bitches to live with other bitches.
• If homing a puppy we will, on collection require written proof of your enrolment to a puppy socialisation class.
• Obviously space at the rescue is at a premium and a full kennels/cattery could literally mean life or death to some other needy animal, therefore we do not hold animals that are being home checked for more than 24hrs. and we ask that you collect during our opening times 10am-3pm as we are bound by local authority restrictions to keep within these hours. Of course if the animal you are homing is in a foster home the 48hrs. restriction will not apply.
• Rabbits are highly social animals and are happiest living in neutered, bonded pairs or groups. Except in very rare circumstances, we would not adopt out a rabbit that was going to live alone.
• Rabbits are natural athletes and require plenty of space. If your rabbits are going to live outside, they need a sturdy hutch of at least 6ft x 2ft x 2ft and permanent access to a secure exercise run of at least 8ft x 4ft, as recommended by the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund.
• Rabbits should be vaccinated every year against Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease. There is a combined vaccination available from vets.
• Guinea pigs are social animals and they too should be kept in neutered groups.
• I think this covers everything, but I'm sure there may be a question that I haven't thought of, if so please Tel. or email us, we are always happy to hear from prospective new owners, and are happy to discuss any queries that you may have. Please don't forget there are always exceptions to any rule.

We look forward to seeing you and the animals are even more eager!!