As the current lockdown conditions begin to ease we have reviewed our current rehoming process and made some changes to allow more animals to be adopted. Please note many of the animals that are now available for rehoming under this process require very specific homes and may not be suitable for every home environment.

We're continuing to make sure we're taking every possible step to ensure that the safety of animals, staff and adopters is maintained. Thank you for your support and patience at this time.

Adoption Process

There are a few new conditions to the the adoption criteria during this period:

• Potential adopters must not be exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19
• Potential adopters must not be within the groups advised to follow the shielding rules.
• All Potential adopters will need to access the internet.
• Adoptions to home with other dogs will be possible in some circumstances and at the discretion of the animal staff, when they feel this can be managed safely.

A slightly different adoption process will be put in place for the foreseeable future. This adoption process is outlined below:

Step one - Initial interest/application

We continue to receive a high number of applications for available animals at the home. To manage the volume of applications we have implemented some additional steps:

• Applications must be for a specific animal and we will not normally accept applicants unless they are for a named animal.
• Applications for an animal will be closed when a certain number of applications have been received. This is to allow the team time to review received applications. If no suitable applications were received the application process will be re-opened for that animal.

After initial application a member of our team will get in touch with potential adopters with some follow up questions and to discuss the animal you’ve applied for.

 

Step two - Matching/virtual meet

Centre staff will then provide the potential adopter with video footage of animals showing their behaviour with and without human interaction in order to provide them with a sense of what the animal is like.

If potential adopters have other animals in their home, we will ask for a short video of their existing animals in the home environment. 

 

Step three - Virtual home visit

We carry out home visits to identify any safety issues for the animals and help provide advice to potential adopters on how best to look after their new pets in their specific home environment.

Adopters will be asked to provide photos of their home and/or any enclosure they have. We may also ask for a short walkthrough video where possible. 

If everything is fine the adoption form will be emailed out to the potential adopter and we will ask you to read through the paperwork carefully before signing and sending it to us by scanning/photographing the signed page, or posting it back. This needs to be completed before the animal is collected. 

Once we've got the paperwork back we'll agree a date and time for collection of the animal. At this point we will also ask you to pay the adoption fee either online through paypal or by card over the phone. 

If the adopter needs to purchase food, leads, collars etc. prior to adoption day, this can be arranged with animal centre staff who have limited supplies of collars, name tags, leads, harnesses and food which can be paid for in the same way and collected with your new pet.

 

Step Four - Meet-and-Greets

Where possible, rehoming will continue to be carried out without members of the public visiting rescue centres. However where the adoption needs of animals cannot be met through the virtual adoption process an in-person meet-and-greet may be arranged. 

This may be the case for many of our dogs who have complex needs and will require opportunities for adopters and animals to meet each other in advance of adoption. Where possible we will look to combine meetings and collection into one visit. 

A member of animal home staff will arrange a time for you to come to the animal home to meet the animal. We ask that adopters ensure they arrive on time for your appointment. Our centres are currently running on reduced staff and we may struggle to accommodate adopters at other times

Introductions between members of the public and animals at the animal home will take place in a secure, outdoor space. We will limit the number of people meeting an animal at any one time in order to maintain social distancing. We will ask additional family members to wait outside. 

Prior to interactions with the animals, we will ask all members of the public to clean their hands with the sanitiser provided. Dogs are to be introduced to adopters on longline/leads. This allows for the adopter to meet the dog at a safe distance from the handler.

It may be possible for individuals to accompany dogs on a short walk provided they remain 2 metres from the handler.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions and a member of the team will be in touch following the meeting to discuss progressing the adoption process.

 

Step Five - Collection and handover of animals

All animals being adopted are to be collected by the adopter, as current government rules allow travelling for this purpose.

A member of animal centre staff will contact adopters beforehand to arrange a time to collect the animal. We ask that adopters ensure they arrive on time for your appointment. Our centres are currently running on reduced staff and we may struggle to accommodate adopters at other times.

We would ask that all adopters ensure they wash their hands before and after collecting their animals from the centre.

 

For cats and other small animals in carriers. 

• Adopters will need to provide their own carrier, which must be appropriate for the type of animal you are adopting. If this is not possible adopters should discuss with staff the possibility of loaning an RSPCA carrier, which would need to be returned at a later date.
• Once adopters arrive at the animal home they should call the animal home to let them know they have arrived. We ask that adopters remain with their vehicle and place the carrier 2 meters away from themselves so the staff member can collect it safely.
• A member of staff will come out and meet adopters, while following social distancing rules, to collect the animal carrier.
• The member of staff will take the carrier into the animal home to collect the animal any purchased items. Leaving these items on the floor 2 metres away from adopters.
• The staff member will then step away so that the adopter can immediately collect the animal and load the animal into their vehicle.
• Provided there were no issues the adopter is now free to depart.
• All paperwork will be emailed to adopters after the collections of the animal.

 

For dogs. 

• Adopters are asked to provide their own leads, harnesses and suitable equipment for transporting dogs in cars. The Animal Home has a range of leads, harnesses and seat belt adaptors, which can be purchased in advance.
• Once adopters arrive at the animal home they should call the animal home to let them know they have arrived. We ask that adopters remain with their vehicle and place the harness 2 metres from themselves so the staff member can collect it safely.
• A member of staff will come out and meet adopters, while following social distancing rules, to collect the dog harness.
• The member of staff will take the dog harness into the home and return with the dog now wearing the harness. If you are purchasing a harness from the home this will be fitted for your dog prior to arrival.
• Dogs are to be introduced to adopters on longline/leads. This allows for the adopter to meet the dog at a safe distance from the handler. 
• Once the dog is calm and settled the adopter will be asked to clip their lead onto the harness of the dog and to unclip the longlead held by the handler.
• Any additional purchased items (food, leads, bedding etc.) will be handed over with consideration of social distancing requirements.
• Once the adopter, animal and staff member are happy, the dog can be loaded into the adopters vehicle and they are free to depart. We recommend allowing the dog time to use the toilet prior to any journey.
• All paperwork will be emailed to adopters after the collections of the animal.

After the adopter leaves if they have any queries or concerns they should call the Animal Centre.

 

Step Six - Ongoing support

After the adoption placement has taken place, someone from the animal home will make a follow up call to the adopter to see how the animal is settling in and to offer any advice. 

Adopters will also be sign-posted to additional support and information available online.

In the event that an animal adoption does not work out, any animal required to be returned will need to be returned to the animal centre. Adopters will need to contact the animal home to arrange this.

Once restrictions are lifted the centre will carry out a post adoption home visit to see how the animal is settling in and to offer any further advice.