What to consider when rescuing or rehoming a dog

Quick takeaways about dog rescue

• There’s plenty to consider, from budget to lifestyle, before adopting a dog.
• Most rescue centres charge an adoption fee of around £200.
• Once you’ve decided rescuing a dog is right for you, there are many benefits!

 

So, you’re considering adopting a dog? Giving a dog a new forever home can be wonderful and come with plenty of rewards.

However, it’s essential to consider whether your lifestyle and home setup are suitable for a new pooch. Is someone at home to look after the dog? Do you have the budget for food, vet bills, and training?

We speak to pet parent Kerri, who recently rescued a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy called Noah. Having gone through the experience, she shares her honest advice about what to consider before rehoming a dog. “Mostly, you need love, time, and patience!” says Kerri.

 

What does rescuing or rehoming a dog mean?

Rehoming a dog is finding a new home for a dog that can no longer stay with its original owners.

There are many reasons why their current owner can no longer care for the dog – the owner’s financial or housing situation may have changed, or the dog may be too energetic or not get on with other animals in the home.

Rehoming can happen through different channels, such as friends, family, veterinarians, charities and rescue centres.

 

Where to rescue a dog

There are nationwide centres like the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in London and Kent. You can often search for rescue pets needing adoption online before visiting the centre in person.

The Kennel Club also has a rescue dog initiative. You can also search for centres or rehoming charities near you.

You can also search for rescue centres specific to a particular breed, such as the Vizsla Rescue charity.

 

How does the adoption or rescue process usually work?

“Every rescue centre or charity has their own process, but most will interview you and ask you about things like your working hours, house size, whether or not you have a secure garden, whether you have pets or children already at home,” says Kerri.

“They’ll visit your home to ensure everything is right for the dog. Your lifestyle is important as someone out for 8 hours each day wouldn’t be a great fit for rehoming a dog.”

 

What to consider before rescuing a dog

Here are a few pointers to think about before making the step:

 

Get to know the breed

“Check whether you understand the breed and what they need to live happy lives,” says Kerri. Do you know anyone with the same breed or can you meet some on walks and talk to current owners?

 

Learn about the dog’s history

This will help you understand what needs they might have. So, ask the rescue centre or previous owner what they love and don’t like. Here are a few starter questions:

• If they are in a rehoming centre, how long have they been there?
• Have they expressed any fear towards anything?
• What are their energy levels like?
• How are they with people, children and other animals?
• What are their favourite games?

 

Find out about their health

Ask whether they have any existing medical issues or are likely to develop any. The ongoing cost of medication is worth considering.

So, it’s a good idea to find out if they’re on any medication, whether they’ve had any surgeries and if they have any dietary requirements (as this might affect the food you choose to give them).

 

Think about your current lifestyle

“Can you financially afford a dog? You’ll need to budget for food, bedding, toys, insurance and ongoing costs – especially if they have a medical condition,” says Kerri.

“Noah had a cleft palate, and we didn’t know if his corrective surgery would be successful. The insurance wouldn’t cover anything related to his mouth or nose, so any infections or ongoing issues would be up to us.”

Then there’s the time. From walking your dog to training, all of these things can be enjoyable and not really feel like a chore, but you need the time and patience to prioritise the dog’s needs.

 

Think about training and socialisation

“Training is so important, especially if your rescue dog hasn’t had much experience of training or meeting other dogs before,” says Kerri. “Noah has excelled at puppy classes and trick training, which we attend twice a week.

“Socialisation is also key, especially when you have larger breeds. We had to make sure Noah was properly socialised as we have other dogs at home, and we invested in a 1:1 trainer to help with this.”

 

The big benefits of rescuing a dog

“There are so many rewards!” says Kerri. “Our biggest ones are watching him enjoy life and doing the things he loves – paddling in boggy water mostly – and getting dead legs when he comes and lays on us for a cuddle.

“I also love seeing the excitement in his face when he learns something new!

“Rescue and adoption aren’t easy, but watching all the ‘firsts’ for that dog is a delight – first walk on a lead, first time at the beach, first pupaccino! Without rescue centres and adoptive pup parents, these dogs would never experience these things!”

 

FAQs about rescuing or adopting a dog

How much does a rescue dog cost?

Depending on the rescue circumstances, some rescue centres will charge a small fee for adopting an adult dog, which can be higher for a puppy. Centres might include microchipping and jabs in this cost.

For example, Dog’s Trust charges £250 for adopting an adult dog to support the charity’s work.

It’s more important to consider the long-term cost of a new dog, from food to dog walking and training.

 

What should I feed a new dog?

It’s best to continue with their current food to avoid too many changes for the dog, as this can be stressful.

Ask the centre, charity, or vet for their advice if you can. You could also gradually introduce them to a new food like our complete and balanced raw. Read our guide on transitioning to raw.

 

How can I train a rescue dog?

There are plenty of good training resources – check out our puppy training guide.

Brands like Pets At Home offer puppy classes and training, but you can also search locally for accredited trainers and behaviourists who are local to you. Check out the RSPCA and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home advice on finding a trainer.

It’s worth noting that this is a relatively unregulated area, so you might want to try a couple before committing to make sure they feel like the right fit. Your vet will also be able to recommend local trainers and behaviourists.

 

Where are the best rescue centres in London?

There are plenty of dog rescue centres across the country. Some of the biggest ones in London include Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Woodgreen Pets Charity and The Mayhew.