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If you are thinking of adopting a puppy or dog then this is the read for you. Adopting a four legged friend is an amazing thing to do. You are saving a life. And welcoming a new member to your family. Read on for top tips on how to adopt a dog and save a life.
There are many reputable charities in the UK who specialise in dog adoption. This on one hand is sad that some dogs need to be rehomed. But amazing on the other, that these charities do such wonderful work. Every dog they rehome has its own story. Some have been in a very loving household where circumstances have changed. Others may have had a less than happy start to their lives. We adopted Henry when he was 7 months old. His previous owner had a terminal health diagnosis and needed to rehome him.
All the well known dog charities in the UK try to make it as easy as possible for you when it comes to adopting. Here are the links to some of those charities and their adoption pages.
Some of the charities list their available dogs online. Others will ask you to complete an online application form to register what type of dog you are interested in. Some ask you to pick a dog. Others match you to a dog. Most will expect you to register online. Otherwise you can give them a ring to start the process. Check out their websites for their processes.
From there, they will keep it very easy and straightforward for you. As long as they feel you are the right match for the dog you are interested in, you can expect to be invited to meet your chosen dog. After that there will be a home visit to make sure your home offers suitable surroundings for the dog. There may be a rehomeing fee payable to the charity also. But all in all, it is a straightforward process if you want to adopt a dog and save a life.
Choosing a dog to adopt can be daunting. A quick look on the charity website and you are met with lots of cute hounds looking for a forever home. You will want them all! But you have to let your head do the thinking over your heart. This is where the rehoming charities are a great help. They understand the emotion but they are the experts. They know the dogs and they will have a very good idea of what each dog’s needs are going to be.
It would be a very good idea to research breeds you might be interested in. For example, Labradors make great family pets – they need quite a lot of exercise but their temperament is warm and friendly. But they moult a lot so if you have a dislike for a hairy house then this breed might not be for you! So it’s important to do your research. The Kennel Club do a good synopsis of each breed and their characteristics.
What size of dog will suit your lifestyle? How much time do you have to exercise it? Do you have children? Can you provide enough outdoor space? Do you have time to train a puppy? In fairness, really good charities will figure out which dog will suit you and your lifestyle. If you have owned a dog before or if this is going to be your first dog. So many factors need to be taken into account.
Some of the happiest dog owners adopted their dogs. They may not know their dog’s birthday, but they’ll know their “Gotcha” Day instead. There is something lovely about knowing you’ve given a rehomed dog their forever home. And saved their life. In some really unfortunate situations, if a dog can’t be rehomed, it will have to be put to sleep.
We knew when we adopted Henry that it would be an adjustment for us all. Mostly Henry. We were very ready to welcome a new dog into our home and hearts after losing Oscar and Hooch in quick succession. But we knew it was going to be a bigger adjustment for Henry coming to a new home – new people, new smells, new everything. But 3 years later we couldn’t be without him. He is doted on by all of us and really has become the focal point in the house. And he loves being loved by us 🥰
So from our point of view, if you are considering adopting a dog, crack on with your research and applications and prepare for your heart to be filled 🐶❤️
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