So You Want To Adopt?

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Please Think Before You Leap

There are lots of different things to consider before adopting a new family member!

If you're like most of us, falling in love with a dog is easy. And no wonder! Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life's greatest joys. Dogs give us unconditional loyalty and acceptance, provide constant companionship, and even help relieve stress after a hard day's work. But with that comes responsibility!

Adopting a dog is a big decision but can be so incredibly rewarding! Whether it's watching them gain confidence or seeing them progress in training right before your eyes! Dogs have a certain way of brightening up even our worst days! Though there's lots to consider when adopting your new best friend!

Things To Know

So you've made the decision to adopt a rescue dog? That is incredible!! We already know you're going to make incredible owners! We have made a handy guide below to hopefully give you an insight into what owning a dog might look like just to make sure you're all good to go and can get stuck into spending time with your new best friend!
  • Why do you want a pet? Lot's of people buy or rescue a dog as it's the 'thing to do' or because the children have been asking for a puppy for months! But making sure you're adopting a dog for the right reasons can make it even more rewarding! They are a life long commitment and you have to be prepared to commit to the new family member.
  • Do you have time for a pet? Whilst owning a dog is the greatest thing in the world (although we are bias) they do need lots of time! Different breeds require different things, from breed specific outlets like using their noses or retrieving to daily brushing at home, making sure you have enough time to manage their needs such as exercise and training and even down to making sure you have enough time to bond with your dog is super important!
  • Can you afford a pet? There's lots to consider when it comes to the price of a pet and this will vary massively depending on breed. For example, a small chihuahua isn't going to cost the same to feed as a great dane! so making sure you find the right dog that fits with your circumstances is super important! From food to flea treatments, to regular grooming sessions, its important to take all of this into consideration when searching for the right dog! We've linked this handy calculator that gives you a good idea on the costs of different breeds (however this is just a guide and actual costs may differ depending on different factors such as location) - https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/costofliving/petcalculator
  • Can you have a pet where you live? Make sure you have permission from any landlords or homeowners before adopting a dog, our rehoming fees are not refundable so you risk losing the payment as well as causing stress for the dog coming back and forth, and of course sadness for you if you have fallen in love at first sight!
  • Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? This links to the above in a similar sense. For example, do you plan to travel for a year? if so we'd suggest waiting till after or are you absolutely bursting in a high demand job? Sometimes waiting a few months can make sure you have the best experience when it comes to owning a dog!
  • Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as spaniels can be high energy and need more stimulation. On the other hand, some little dogs such as chihuahuas or older dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch for most of the day. Before adopting a pet, do some research or have a chat with us. That way, you'll ensure you choose an animal that will fit into your lifestyle and your living arrangements. We will always make sure that any dogs are matched accordingly to their new homes and we are always happy to offer advice on what we think would be a good breed for you!
  • Do you know who will care for your pet while you're away on vacation? You'll need either reliable friends and neighbours or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.
  • Will you be a responsible pet owner? Making sure you are all up to date on the legalities of dog ownership, so always make sure your dog microchip details are up to date! Be sure to add an identification tag to your dogs collar when on walks and double check the information on their is up to date and holds the legal requirements which are: Name, Phone number, Address
  • Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime. Making sure you are prepared for that is the most important of all!

Feel prepared?

We appreciate it's a long list of questions! But we see all too often when people buy a dog and haven't considered everything that comes with owning one!

Please, don't make the same mistake. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion dog can bring incredible rewards, but only if you put in everything you can, I can guarantee in return you will know a kind of love you've never felt

If you're ready to adopt a companion for life, please click the links above at the top of the page to see a sample of our many wonderful dogs available for adoption at the Waggy Workers Dog Rescue.

If someone tugs at your heart and you would like to meet him or her, please fill out an Adoption Application.

Ready to Adopt?

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Apply to Adopt a Dog

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