Love Dogs

Potential adopters are invited to visit us and discuss their requirements. If we think we have a suitable dog(s), we will bring them out to meet you.

You will be asked a number of questions about your circumstances and home situation, and be asked to fill in a pre-adoption form if we think you are suitable. If a number of people express an interest in the same dog over a short time period, we will follow up the home we think is most suitable first, as the needs of the dog must take priority.
 
Suitability depends on a number of factors, and the needs of the individual dog are the most significant factor. General rules are:

• You need to have a house with a securely fenced garden (we do not normally rehome dogs to flats without a private garden).
• You need to be at home for a good part of the day (the maximum we will usually allow a dog to be left on a regular basis is 4 hours per day, and this will be dependent on the individual dog). Shift work arrangements will be considered on an individual basis, but we do not count time spent asleep as time spent with the dog.
• The maximum time we would recommend leaving a puppy (up to 12 months) on a regular basis is 1½ to 2 hours, to maximise the chances of successful housetraining and socialisation.
• You need to be prepared to exercise the dog at least twice a day.

Other important factors are whether you have children in the home, or visiting regularly, and whether there are other pets. Some of our dogs may not be suitable for rehoming with children or other animals. Once you have filled in a pre-adoption form, we will visit you at home to meet all those who live with you (if applicable) and discuss the points on your pre-adoption form in more detail. We will also discuss the dog’s behaviour in more depth, and answer any questions you may have. If you pass the home visit, you can then come to the Sanctuary and complete the adoption paperwork.

We ask for a minimum (non-refundable) donation of £100 for cross breeds, and £130 for recognised breeds. All adult dogs and bitches are neutered prior to rehoming. Vaccinations are started prior to re-homing but you may need to get the second one done, depending on how long the dog has been with us.

We will call you after the adoption to check on progress, and you are encouraged to contact us if you are experiencing any problems.

Useful Dog Care Tips

1

Protect you dog from common diseases with a primary course of vaccination from your vet, followed by annual boosters to maintain the protection. This will give the added benefit of an annual health check from the vet.

2

Increase the chance of finding your dog if she/he goes missing by having her/him micro chipped. This simple procedure can be carried out by your vet, to insert a small chip under the skin to hold a unique identity number and the owner’s details. Please ensure you update your contact details if they change. Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, it is a legal requirement whenever your dog is in a public place for the dog to wear a collar with your name, address and postcode written or engraved on the collar, or engraved on a tag. Your phone number is optional but is highly recommended.

3

Have your dog neutered. In addition to providing health benefits and helping control the population, neutering can reduce unwanted behaviours such as aggression and the desire to roam.

4

Treat your dog regularly for worms and fleas with products recommended by your vet. This has health benefits for your dog and prevents spread of unwanted visitors to your home!

5

Plan well in advance for holiday care. Good kennels will be busy during peak periods so book well in advance and ensure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date, as proof will be required by the kennels.

6

Consider pet insurance to help cover the cost of veterinary treatment. Advances in veterinary medicine mean dogs live longer and can be effectively treated for a much wider range of health problems than in the past. Remember, accidental injury alone can be costly, and you should consider the implications if your dog were to cause an accident involving others.

7

When transporting your dog, use a secure cage designed for the purpose, or a suitable seat belt harness. Dogs can cause significant damage to the occupants of a vehicle in an accident if unrestrained due to their body weight, as well as the risk of injury to the dog.

8

Scoop the poop! Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, you can be fined up to £1000 for failing to clean up after your dog.

9

Be security conscious. Dog theft is a problem, especially for pedigree dogs and certain types of cross breed, so do not leave your dog unattended in a public place, e.g. tied up outside the local shops, and be wary of leaving him/her unattended in a garden for extended periods.

10

Dogs can overheat very quickly in cars, even on a cloudy day. Be wary of taking your dog out in the car on a warm day if you will have to leave him/her unattended in the car at any time; heat stroke kills quickly.