Re-homing Info

We have lots of different dogs coming into rescue and sometimes they do not stay long enough to get on to the website.  We never know from day to day when the phone may ring and yet another dog is looking for a new home so if you don’t see any thing suitable on our page it doesn’t mean there isn’t one waiting somewhere else to come in, so it may be worth a call or email.

The first thing we ask you to consider when looking to re-home a dog or cat is your own circumstances. Will the dog or cat get on with existing family animals and are all family members are agreeable to having a new dog or cat.  Some people assume dogs in rescue are there because of behavioural problems – this is usually the fault of the humans who have previously owned them and not cared for them properly. There may be problems to overcome in the first month or so until your new family member settles.  Although a dog may have had the same owner for 5 years or more, some are still not house trained, can be destructive with chewing, may be food aggressive, may not know how to walk on a lead or travel well or may not be in good health due to bad ownership before.  Most things can be overcome with patience and training and if you are looking to re-home a rescue animal you are probably sensitive enough to take this on board.    

I see an animal I like  – what happens next?   

If you see an animal you like please either telephone the rescue centre on 01728 860937 or email Suffolkar@hotmail.com.  Please leave a message if no-one is there (we are often out rescuing animals or looking after the ones we have) and someone will call you back.  We will have a brief discussion about the sort of animal you are looking for, what your circumstances are, where you live etc.

Meet the Animal

You are welcome to come and see the animal you are interested in but you must make an appointment to ensure someone is there to show you around.  Some of our cats are in the cattery, some are in foster homes.  Some of our dogs are in foster homes and some are in kennels.  Please bring other family members along if possible, if not, a second visit will be required (particularly small children).    

Home check

Once you have decided on your new companion we will need to carry out a home check.  This is obviously for the benefit of the animal - we are not interested in how many times a day you hoover or polish!  We are looking for a secure garden and how long the animal may be left (if you work) and where and what arrangements will be made if it is to be over a certain length of time. In some circumstances, we may also request a vet’s reference.  We reserve the right to refuse to re-home any of our animals without giving a reason.

Taking your animal home

Once the home check is approved and both parties are happy, the adoption paperwork can then go ahead.  There will be an adoption fee.  We ask for an adoption fee in order to continue the work for homeless and abused animals.  We are not a profit making charity.  Most of the animals that come into our care need medical attention and nearly all require castration.  This is generally carried out before the animal goes to its new home.  If, for any reason this is not done (i.e. puppies or kittens), we will require you to fulfil this requirement and a form will need to be completed and sent back to us via your vet.  This is to help the problem of too many unwanted animals.  Guinea pigs are usually £10 each, cats £25-£30 each and dogs are £150 - £180 depending on age and pedigree.  If there is a problem with the adoption fee – please speak to us.  Adoption fees are non refundable in the event of a dog or cat being returned.   Please click here to view a copy of our Contract of Adoption.

Follow up

We usually like to visit the re-homed animal in their home after a month or so to ensure everything is OK.  If you have any problems, just let us know.  Our aim is to find our homeless animals forever homes.