The process of adopting

Before you search the cats, dogs and small animals available for adoption, please familiarise yourself with our adoption process.

The ten stages

1  The animal is admitted to a centre and a profile of it is completed by staff.

2  It is vaccinated, microchipped and wormed.

3  The animal is examined by a vet, who treats any ailments or injuries, and (if old enough) the animal is neutered.

4  The animal undergoes a behaviour assessment by centre staff and, if necessary, training and socialisation work, ready to meet potential new owners.

5  Interested adopters complete a questionnaire which will help staff to match them with a suitable animal.

6  Animal meets potential new owners, who decide they want to adopt it and discuss this with staff. Staff use the forms completed by adopters and the profile of the animal, to ensure that match is suitable.

7  A pre-adoption home visit is usually made to new owners to meet all members of the household and ensure the environment is right.

8  If necessary, new owners are shown a video outlining their new responsibilities, and may be asked to visit the animal several times before adoption takes place.

9  After paying the adoption fee for the animal you'll be asked to sign an agreement to care for the pet with a commitment to return it to us if you can't continue to do so.

10  The adoption may go ahead and a new friendship begins - and the pet also leaves us with four weeks' free PetPlan insurance.

search the cats, dogs and small animals available for adoption