Adoption Process
Our Adoption Process
First Steps
After hopefully reading through our "Are you rescue ready"; section,
you've decided that you are ready for a dog to join your family!
Fantastic news!
1. First steps are filling out our adoption form (here) Once you
have filled that out, you will need to message us via our Facebook
Page, to let us know you've filled out a form, to send through
your photos of your garden (if you have one) and photos of
where you're planning on letting the dog eat and sleep. If you rent,
then you will also need to forward us proof of being allowed dogs
in your home from your landlord. We will not be able to proceed
with your application until you have done this. We waste a lot of
time chasing people down and we are changing the way we are
doing things. If you're not willing to put a bit of work in to start
with, then neither will we. Please be aware that it may take a
couple of days for us to read your application.
If you are applying for a specific dog, we will check to see if you
match their needs thoroughly. If we think you could be a match,
someone from the team will give you a call to go over a few things
with you. Please don't apply for a dog that won't be suitable for
you. We make sure to include as much information about the
dogs on their adverts as we can to prevent time wasted on both
ends.
Please make sure you answer all questions honestly, our priority is
placing these dogs in the best home for their needs. Please do not
be offended if we think you are not a match, the last thing we
want is to have to move these dogs time and time again because
people do not meet the requirements of the dog. Just because
one dog may not be a match, it doesn't mean that a different dog
wouldn't fit into your household.
If we think that the dog has different needs, we will try to send you
a message to let you know and offer you to try again in the future,
but please be aware due to time restraints this isn't always
possible.
If you are applying in general, we will keep hold of your application
until we think we have a dog that may be suitable for you, or a
maximum of three months (After this applications are
automatically deleted, but you are free to apply again). We will
also need to see proof that you own your house if you own.
2. Once we have a dog that may be a match, someone from the
team will be in contact to see if you are still looking and whether
you would be interested in our dog. If so, we will then do a first
phone call. This isn't a guarantee that you will be matched with
a dog, but it is the first step.
3. Once step two has been completed and a member of the team
has been in contact with you and feels that you could be a match
for one of our dogs, we will do a home check. These are currently
being done via video call, (Whatsapp or Facebook Messenger) due
to Covid-19.
These are to make sure that everyone in the home is on
board with welcoming a new companion, ensuring that you have
the time and space in your home and that your home is safe for a
dog and that your garden is dog proof and secure. If we see
something we think could be an issue, we will advise you and see
if it can be remedied quickly otherwise we will not be able to
proceed any further with your application for that particular dog.
We also like to have a meeting between the family adopting and
the dog before taking home, to make sure its what everyone
expects, no surprises and to make sure any children are okay with
the dog. Sometimes this may not be possible due to distance. If
you have a resident dog, there will need to be a meeting between
them and the dog you are applying for, to check that everyone
gets on. You will need to have had a successful home check before
we allow meetings.
We will also need to see a form of ID like a utility bill.
4. Everything being well, we will then ask for you to pay a £50 non
refundable deposit to reserve your dog. We will email you over a
copy of the adoption contract for you to have a look through and
sign, along with some other information. The remaining balance
will need to be paid before collecting your dog. You will usually be
added to a Facebook chat with the foster of the dog to ask any
questions, and to arrange a date for for collecting your new
dog! When collecting the dog, please make sure to bring a
crate for safe travel, and a slip lead. We cannot let them leave
without one as this keeps them safe.
We offer support and advice even after you've collected your dog
and you will be invited to join our Facebook adopters
group where you can share photos and stories of your new
addition as well as talk with other fellow Love4Dogs adopters.