What are your adoption fees?

Cats - £225

Dogs - £450

 

Our adoption fee includes a Veterinary health check, relevant medical tests and vaccinations, microchipping, flea and worm treatments, and neutering for sexually mature animals. Animals from overseas will also have a pet passport. We will review fees individually for older animals, bonded pairs or those with long-term health conditions.

 

Why do you rescue dogs from overseas when there are thousands of rescue dogs in the U.K.?

We believe that all animals deserve compassion, regardless of where they were born. The animal welfare laws in some countries exclude stray animals so they have little to no protection against harm and cruelty. We are committed to spay and neuter as many strays as possible so fewer animals are born into a life of uncertainty.

 

Do you have age limits?

Yes, we have age limits to ensure everybody’s safety, including our animals. While every application is looked at on a case-by-case basis, as a general rule we cannot consider families with children under three-years-old. Each animal’s advert will clearly say if they can live with children or not.

 

Do I need a garden to adopt a dog?

Not necessarily. Some of our dogs require a garden to be the happiest they can be, but others don’t. As long as you can provide regular toilet breaks on a lead, a garden is not a requirement for adoption.

 

Do all of your cats have to be indoor cats?

No, some of our cats can spend time outdoors, however this must be introduced slowly. Cats must be kept inside for at least three months after adoption before being introduced to the outdoors slowly.

 

I live in a flat. Can I still adopt?

Yes, we will not reject an application from someone who lives in a flat. However, dog adopters must be able to provide frequent toilet breaks on a harness and lead. 

 

Can I adopt if I work?

Yes. As a general rule, cats can be left alone for a full working day provided they have enough food, water and toys, and dogs should not be left alone for more than four hours on a regular basis. We assess each animal’s ability to be left alone and will write in their advert if they cannot be left. We recommend taking time off work to settle your new pet in.

 

Why do I have to have six foot fences to adopt a dog?

Rescue dogs, especially dogs from overseas may have never lived in a home before their foster home. They may be scared of this new experience and, if spooked, will try to escape. That being said, we assess each application on an individual basis and may make allowances if, for example, you are applying for an older or disabled dog.

 

How do I update my new pet’s microchip details?

P.A.W.S will take care of this for you, the admin fee is included in your adoption fee so there is no additional cost. Shortly after your adoption is complete, you will receive an email from our microchip company, PetTrac so you can make an account to update your details in the future. P.A.W.S also keep our details on the microchip as a back up contact in case you forget to update a new address or telephone number in the future.

 

Why do you say not to walk my new dog for the first week?

A newly rescued dog does not know who you are and that you mean no harm. The stress hormones from moving from their foster home to your home can take up to three days to leave their system. After this they can start to build a bond with you until they feel safe with you attaching a lead to them. Wearing a lead removes their “flight” option if they become scared so it’s important that they trust you to protect them when on a walk. Before you’re able to walk your dog you can do all kinds of brain games and training indoors to tire them out. Some research suggests that mental stimulation is even more important than physical exercise for dogs. Walking a new dog may take weeks or even months. We recommend that you go at your dog’s pace and take each step slowly. The first day you may only reach the other side of the front door before your dog wants to go back indoors. The best thing you can do for your dog is to remove them from a situation they find scary and try again another day.

 

What equipment do I need to walk my new dog?

We recommend using a secure harness to walk your dog. Harnesses with three-straps tend to be the most escape-proof. The front straps should go around the shoulders and not across the front of them to allow full range of movement. There will also be a strap behind the two front legs and another across the belly. For your first few weeks we also advise to use a slip-lead as an extra precaution. Your dog should also wear a flat collar with an I.D tag containing your details as this is required by law. We recommend using a lead made of fabric or rope. Extendable leads are not recommended at all. This is because if you drop the lead, the handle will “chase” the dog as it runs and may cause them to panic and try to run further away. You can buy long fabric training leads which are much safer.

 

Why do you insist on newly adopted dogs wearing a GPS tracker?

Even with all the advice above, and no matter how careful you are, there is ALWAYS the chance of an accident happening and your dog escaping or running away. Ideally, if this happens, they will have enough a strong enough bond and will run back towards you instead of away from you. Having a GPS tracker fitted to their collar or harness is an extra security measure so that if the worst happens you will know your dog’s whereabouts. Many of our dogs have been street-wise strays and are very good at evading capture.

 

What food should I get for my new pet?

We recommend using the same food as your animal’s foster used for the first few days. After this you can gradually begin to add in your chosen brand and slowly phase out the old food. As a general rule, the more natural ingredients in a food, the better it will be.