Adopting a Dog?
Choosing to share your home with a rescue dog is a rewarding experience which will enhance both your life and the dog’s. However, it is a big decision and with dogs generally living to 15+ years of age, it is a long term commitment.
Although some breeds tend to show general characteristics all dogs are unique, therefore important information about each dog’s personality and any special requirements they may have will be shown in their individual profiles. However, there are some basic needs that we will expect you to be able to meet for any dog you are thinking of rehoming. Please read the following carefully before applying for one of our dogs:
Secure garden
You must be able to provide a safe, secure garden that is of a suitable size for the age, size and energy level of the dog you wish to rehome. Please carefully consider any potential hazards within your garden that would need to be fixed before you could bring a dog safely home, such as; the height and condition of fencing; any gaps in hedging or between fence panels; gaps under gates; free range chickens etc. It is much easier to prepare a ‘dog friendly’ garden before you start looking for your new pet.
Appropriate exercise
All dogs have differing exercise requirements and this will change as they grow older. In general we would be looking for at least two walks each day plus the opportunity for some fun and games in the garden. Ideally dogs should have access to different places to walk so they don’t get fed up, and keep them mentally stimulated and interested.
Human company
Most dogs prefer human company throughout the day, even if it seems as though they spend all their time asleep! Occasionally we have a dog who is used to being left alone for longer periods, but that is not often, nor is it ideal. Rescue dogs can take time to settle in a new environment and can become anxious when left alone. Please consider how long a dog is likely to be left without human company during the day. If you are in full-time work it is unlikely but not impossible that we will be able to match you with a rescue dog.
Ongoing care
All our dogs will be vaccinated (at least first vaccination for puppies), microchipped, treated for fleas and worms, and neutered (as long as they are old enough) before they are rehomed. Once adopted you will be responsible for continuing annual vaccinations and regular flea and worm treatments. We also strongly recommend pet insurance to cover the cost of any major health issues or accidents.
A suitable dog
We try our best to match the right dog to the right family: we want all our dogs to live out their lives happily in their new forever homes. If you already have pets, or young children, or mobility issues, or a small garden, or are in your later years, it is unlikely that every dog available for rehoming would be suitable for your circumstances. It may be that it takes several visits, or weeks of looking in order to find your perfect match. We look at every application individually and will do our best to find your perfect dog. Very rarely this is just not possible and we do sometimes have to say no. Our priority is always to put our dogs’ interests first, even if it means sometimes disappointing potential adopters.
REHOMING DISCLAIMER
RSPCA West Norfolk cannot accept responsibility for the temperament of any animal once it has been rehomed. All animals are rehomed at our discretion and we reserve the right to refuse an application to rehome one of our animals without reason.
RSPCA West Norfolk cannot guarantee that any animal seen on this website will be suitable for an individual prospective owner.
The animals displayed here are currently in our care. They have differing needs and can only be matched accurately to a new home once a member of our rehoming staff has registered a prospective new owner. Please be aware that under no circumstances can we reserve an animal until registration has been completed. Please note that you have to be 18 years old or over to rehome a RSPCA West Norfolk dog or cat and in some cases 21 years of age to rehome a guarding breed. Please refer to our dog and cat rehoming procedures for further information.
Animals are rehomed from our centres seven days a week. Although this site is regularly updated, there may be occasions when an animal appearing on the website has already been rehomed.
All RSPCA West Norfolk animals are given thorough health and temperament assessments. This gives us an insight into their character and enables us to make a considered decision as to which type of home would be best for the animal. However, once a pet has settled into a new home, his or her behaviour can sometimes alter. RSPCA West Norfolk can only assess an animal on the behaviour it displays while in our care. RSPCA West Norfolk’s Rehoming team are able to offer support and behaviour advice to adopters. Please contact Reception@westnorfolkrspca.org.uk for further information.