Some dogs advertised on our website are too nervous to travel further afield, and therefore, we must assess our dogs suitability to travel 30+ miles home. Due to this your matching process may take a little longer than expected as not all dogs are suitable. Please be aware we act in the dogs best interests.
1 - You will need to read and complete the adoption requirements agreement and a long distance adopter agreement before you continue to sumbit your application form. You MUST have your own email address and you MUST be able to make bank transfers, as well as having access to either Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp.
2 - After submitting a completed adoption application the Adoption Team will review the form and contact you via email only when you have a suitable match at the centre.
3 - Following our email you will need to send us your garden photos and ID. Proof of photo identification and address identification will need to be provided for all members of the household living at the address who are over the age of 16 years, and for any visitors that you intend on coming to a viewing.
4 - Once we have received the above we will contact you again by email with a potential dog match - we will include lots of information about the dog along with photos. You are also welcome to look on our Facebook page to see more of the dog. We will send you a text to see your emails - please be expected to move quickly as the dog could go into other appointments whilst you are deciding whether you are interested in meeting the dog or not.
5 - Once you have identified that you are happy to meet the matched dog you must be prepared to travel to the centre and adopt a dog within 48hrs of our contact (i.e if we contact you on a Monday we will book the homecheck Tuesday and your viewing and adoption will be held on the Wednesday). We cannot bring the dog to you. It may well be that you have to attend the viewing appointment on a weekday - our out of area applicants fill up weekend spaces very quickly so you may be waiting weeks for an appointment and will miss our on your matched dog. It is highly likely you will need to book time off of work as the dog cannot be left for 5hrs instantly after adoption.
6 - There is a £50 (non-refundable and non-transferrable) donation to book a homecheck with a viewing. The virtual homecheck will either take place via Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp and your viewing appointment will be held the day after this. This donation will form part of your final adoption amount if you choose to adopt a dog. If you leave without a dog the donation cannot be refunded to you under any circumstances as per the charities commission rules on donations to charity.
7 - When you pay the donation we will hold 1 matched dog for you, for 48 hours only. If there are multiple dog matches for your family at the centre we will only hold 1 matched dog for you. However, if other suitable dog matches are at the centre during your viewing appointment you will be offered the opportunity to meet them and adopt one of them instead. If you adopt a dog from us the day of your viewing then the £50 donation you previously made will form part of your final adoption donation (even if it is not the dog you placed on hold).
You will be expected to make a decision and adopt the same day. If you do not choose to adopt your donation cannot be refunded to you.
If you need more time to make a decision, we are not the rescue for you.
8 - You will have a viewing at the centre with all of the adoptive family present. The viewing will take place outside in the fields - we cannot guarantee the weather condition and so you must come wearing suitable footwear and bring a coat. There are no public toilets at the centre and therefore, we cannot offer that facility.
8a - You will be required to socially distance from our staff member and follow their instructions at all times regarding moving around the rescue center site. You must bring your own treats with you for the dog (cut up pieces of cheese or meat). You will be able to see your held dog, plus any other suitable matches and discuss their personality and temperament with a member of staff before deciding which dog you would like to adopt.
9 - Once you decide which dog you'd like to adopt then we will arrange a collection appointment for you later that same day and you will leave the centre for several hours to arrange everything you need for the dog such as food, crate, collar, ID tag, insurance etc. We will provide you with a helpful list so you don't forget anything. The dog will remain at the rescue centre with our staff member while you make preparations for them to live with you permanently. (There are supermarkets and a Pets At Home a short distance away - we will notify you of these).
9a -Whilst you are away from the centre you will be sent your adoption contract electronically. This must be signed and returned to us before you return to collect your dog along with a bank transfer of the remaining adoption donation (less any fees already paid). You understand that the adoption must be finalised the day of the viewing and the dog is to be collected by you or the adoption is terminated, you lose all fees paid and the dog will be offered to other families.
10 - We will arrange a further socially distanced meeting in our outdoor space at the centre at an agreed time so you can collect your adoptive dog. We will also provide you with your rehoming pack and any other documents belonging to your adopted dog.
Due to the current pandemic we are unable to offer our usual period of free training at the centre therefore all training will be the adopters sole responsibility. We will however provide you with some materials to help you get started in training your dog at home, and we will still provide you with our usual aftercare help and advice so you can contact us with any problems you may be experiencing.