Please read our important five-step guide below to help you understand the processes required for adopting a dog from us. Your canine companion may be with you for ten years or more so it is really important to find the right match for you and the dog.
Step 1: Registering
If you are seriously considering adopting a dog and everyone in your household is in agreement, the first step is to get in touch.
To get the ball rolling please complete our home finder form.
BUTTON TO GO HERE FOR HOME FINDER FORM
Based on your responses to the form, we will look to see if there are any suitable dogs that meet your and their needs. If we feel we have a dog(s) that would suit your lifestyle you will be invited to attend an appointment at the centre when we will be able to further assess your suitability for adopting one of our dogs and further explore the suitability of the dogs in our care to meet your lifestyle.
Step 2: Find your Perfect Partner
From the information that you provid us our rehoming team will assist in matching you with one of our dogs.
If we feel we have a dog that will be a good match you can meet that dog(s) during your appointment. You will be able to spend time with the dog and take them for a walk. If you feel you would like to proceed with adoption you will be asked to take time to decide if you wish to adopt the dog, you will not be asked for a decision immediately. Assuming you would like to go ahead all family members including any dogs in the home will be asked to return and meet the dog(s). If you live in rented accommodation you will need to provide proof that you are allowed to have a dog in that property. Ideally you will be asked to visit the dog twice before taking the dog home with you.
Step 3: Home Check
A home visit enables us to check things like the security of the garden, if you have one, and for us to understand the likely living arrangements for your new family member.
Now is also a good time to ask any questions you forgot to ask when visiting the centre. Please don’t worry about the visit, we have no hard and fast rules, we just want to ensure the dog you hope to adopt is right for you and what you can offer a dog. It is also a good time for us to pre-empt any teething problems by offering appropriate advice.
Step 4: Homeward Bound
Following a successful home visit, you would be able to adopt your chosen dog and take them home.
You will be invited to an appointment to return and sign the adoption paperwork. We ask a minimum donation of £175.00 to help support the charity with the work we do. We will also ask you to bring an engraved identity disc with your name, address and phone number on to attach to your dog’s collar. Please note – We will not allow the dog to leave the centre without an identity tag on. Bringing a collar and lead would also be advisable, but we can supply a second hand set for a small donation. You will be advised on what your dog has been eating and we will supply you with some to take home with you, so you can gradually transition your dog onto the food you will be feeding to help prevent upset tummies.
All of our dogs are microchipped, vaccinated, have had flea/worm prevention treatment and, if the dog is old enough and fit they will also be neutered. If your dog hasn’t been neutered we can discuss your future options. You will also be given 4 weeks free Petplan insurance.
Step 5: Follow Up
If you have adopted a dog from us we will be in touch within 48 hours of you taking the dog home to check everything has gone as planned. We will also contact you after 14 days to see how everything is going.
It can take weeks and sometimes months for a dog to settle in a new home, so please give your new family member time and patience. We are here for you in the days, weeks, months and even years of you adopting a DGCRC dog. We are only a phone call away. No matter how small the problem is please call as we are here to help and give advice. We offer lifetime back up for our dogs, and although we hope you’ll never need to, if you are no longer able to keep your dog they will always have a safe place here to return to.