Seven questions to ask yourself before rehoming a dog.

If you think you’re ready to welcome a dog into your family, here are some things you should consider first.  

1. Can I provide the five welfare needs? 

Every pet owner has the responsibility to meet an animal’s five welfare needs.  

• Health – protection from pain, suffering and disease, and the right to receive treatment if they become ill or injured.  

• Behaviour –  animals need to be able to behave naturally for their species. For dogs, this would mean running, chasing, playing, and sniffing.  

• Companionship – to be housed with or apart from other animals as is appropriate for the species. Dogs don’t require to be housed with or without other dogs for their welfare, but most rescue dogs will have their own requirements for this.  

• Diet – they must be fed a suitable diet. This means feeding them according to their life stage or medical requirements and feeding a suitable amount to prevent obesity or malnourishment. Pets must always have access to fresh water.  

• Environment – they must be given a suitable environment. This means the right type of home with comfortable places to rest and hide as well as space to exercise and explore.  

2. What breed might be best suited to my lifestyle? 

Each dog is an individual, with their own personalities, energy levels, and behavioural tendencies. But their breed can also influence their behaviour.  

Terriers are known for being small and plucky, collies for being intelligent, and golden retrievers are very friendly.  

Consider your current lifestyle – do you have the time to give a highly active dog the exercise they need, or the motivation to provide training and stimulation to satisfy a curious dog?  

Check out our advice page for more information on breed traits.  

3. Am I willing to put them first? 

Taking on a dog may require some sacrifice, especially if they struggle with issues like separation anxiety. You may need to make some changes to accommodate their needs, especially in the first few months at home.  

For example, when planning holidays, you’ll need to consider choosing a trip where they can come along or planning ahead to make sure they will be staying somewhere where they feel safe and comfortable.  

4. How much does it cost to care for a dog? 

From pet insurance and unexpected medical bills to toys, training and food, caring for a dog costs money.  

This will vary depending on the individual dog, but it’s important to factor in regular monthly expenses and other costs such as dog walkers, grooming and other pet care when considering a new pet. 

5. Am I able to make a long-term commitment? 

We all know the famous saying: ‘A dog’s not just for Christmas’, but we can’t understate the importance of this! Welcoming a dog into your family means making a long-term commitment to prioritise their happiness and wellbeing.  

Dogs thrive with a consistent routine and stability in their lives. If you’re not sure that you can give this to an animal for the rest of their lives, you might want to consider if rehoming a dog is the right choice.  

6. Do they have a favourite toy? 

The best part about rehoming a rescue dog is that the people who’ve been looking after them know them really well!  

Before applying, or while going through the rehoming process, make the most of our team’s expertise and ask as many questions as you can about the dog’s likes, dislikes and personalities.  

Rehoming them with their favourite items and with an understanding of their preferences will help them settle into your home.  

7. Do they have any specific behavioural or medical issues? 

In the same vein, it’s important to learn about any specific fears or issues a dog has before you take them home.  

Understanding their behavioural and medical needs will help you accommodate and support them in your home and will help determine if you would be a good match for that dog.  

Meet our dogs!  

Ready to welcome a rescue dog into your home? Meet the lovely pups available for rehoming now.