How do I apply for a dog or cat that I see advertised?

The advert for the animal will have details of how to apply – this is usually via application form online, or downloaded and emailed in

Our household has a child under the age of five, will I still be able to have a dog or cat?

Animals who have been adequately socialised with children may be fine with a young, excitable and impulsive (supervised) child. Nervous animals can get very upset with boisterous children. We try to show in our adverts which pets are good with children

Can I have a cat if I live near a main road?

If someone lives on a main road in a busy, built-up area, they might not be suited to a cat that’s likely to roam and explore. However, an indoor cat who would stay indoors could be a perfect match

Does my garden need a six-foot fence for me to rehome a dog?

We know that most dogs don’t leap over fences and that a normal secure boundary (which they can’t easily climb or push through) should be enough to keep them safe. Hedges tend to need wire in the bottom to stop dogs pushing through.
Of course, if the dog is very large or agile, and has shown that he likes to jump or has been a bit of an escape artist in kennels – then a high fence would be more sensible. A commitment to supervising the dog when loose in the garden is key. Lurchers are very good jumpers so need a high fence. Beagles for example can be escape artists. Some dogs like to dig out rather than jump.

I work full time – can I have a dog?

Dogs shouldn’t be left for more than four hours at a time. They need company and, like people, can get bored if alone a lot of the time. Of course, you may be able to get a dog walker, or leave your dog with a friend or a dog sitter to make this work in your life. Perhaps you’re lucky enough to be able to take your dog into work with you.
If you’re working from home at the moment, please consider how your routine will likely change before rushing into any long-term commitments.

I’m retired – can I still adopt?

Many animals can be perfectly suited to more senior adopters and make the perfect companion. Each individual’s unique circumstance, ability and support network will be considered fully. We get a lot of older animals in our care who often struggle to find a loving home. Some retired people are very active but others are less active – and often around most of the day so perfect for those dogs who don’t like to be left alone too much

I already have several dogs and cats – can I rehome another?

Whether a potential owner can adopt a rescue animal, in this case, would depend on the space available and the ability of the owner to manage and ensure that all pets remain happy and stress-free. For example, the owner must make sure that each animal has his/her own safe, quiet space.
Remember every case is different, and some pets may prefer to be the only pet in the household while others may like company
There’s no sure way of telling how animals will react to each other in the home, but our rehoming centre will always offer advice to help adopters work their way through any problems that may arise. We also insist that any new dog to a household meets all existing dogs at pre adoption meets, so we do our best to make sure they all get on with each other.

I’m on benefits, will that stop me being eligible to adopt?

You need to think how much you can afford – not just the weekly food bills and regular flea and worm treatments but also insurance and unexpected vet care. (We do have two welfare vet clinics for those on low income, but there can be a waiting list to register). If you can provide the care that an animal needs, including the cost, then there’s no reason you couldn’t adopt. The rehoming centre can discuss costs and point out which breeds tend to be less expensive to care for.

I would like a dog but live in a flat / house without a garden, can you help?

This one depends on the suitability of the rescue dog, the environment he/she requires, whether they’re housetrained, and whether the potential owner is able and willing to take the dog outside regularly throughout the day. This can work with a ground floor flat, but is harder with an upstairs flat. Also, you need to consider whether there is a communal garden and whether it allows pets. An active dog would need somewhere secure to run and play so may not be suitable

Of course, we rehome lots of different animals who are all looking for homes – you might just find that you fall in love with an indoor cat or a small furry instead.

I have unneutered animals in the house (of a different species), can I still adopt?

Most of the animals we rehome are neutered prior to adoption (except those that are too young). We wouldn’t rehome two unneutered animals of the same species. However, we wouldn’t discriminate based on if someone had an animal of a different species at home that was unneutered. So, if you had an unneutered rabbit in the house, it wouldn’t stop you getting an unneutered kitten that would be neutered as soon as it was old enough.

Rehoming FAQ’s