I am unable to keep my dog. Can I bring them into the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter?
There are many reasons why you might need to make the decision to hand over your dog to the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter, and we are here to help you every step of the way without judgement. We understand it is a difficult decision, but it may be the most responsible and loving one for your dog.
Please call us initially so we can discuss your situation and let you know if we have room. You will then be asked to bring your dog in for an assessment with us. If you then choose to disclaim your dog to us, we would kindly ask for a small donation towards their care.
Step 1:
Please call our Reception on 01534 724331 and explain that you are looking to rehome your dog. They will go through a few simple questions (such as the reason it is needing to come in and vaccination information, as well as taking down your contact details). This will then be passed onto our Kennels Manager, who will contact you within a few days of the initial call. If you got your dog from a breeder or other rescue centre, it is a good idea to contact them and let them know you can no longer care for your pet. There may be a contract in place stating that they will take them back if things don’t work out for whatever reason.
Step 2:
When our Kennels Manager calls you back, they will ask some more questions about your dog to get a better understanding of the situation. At this point you will be advised whether or not we have a waiting list at the time. We often have a number of animals needing to come to us but we must ensure that we can provide an appropriate level of care for all animals on site, so unfortunately we are not always able to accept dogs straight away. Prior to your animal coming on site, our veterinary department may ask for proof of your animal’s medical status. We will also discuss other potential options with you at this point and advise that when we have availability for your dog we will contact you and move onto the next step.
Step 3:
When we have availability for your dog, our Kennels Manager will get in touch and arrange for you to collect our disclaiming paperwork from Reception, or have this emailed to you. If there are any behavioural issues with your dog, there will be extra paperwork to be filled in and we would appreciate as much detail to be given as possible. This will give us the best picture of what your dog is like in a home environment. Once we receive this, we will have a look through it and ask anymore questions needed to ensure we can provide the right care and support for your dog, and then we can arrange a day for them to come in to us. If your dog has a favourite blanket or bed, please bring this with them as the familiar smell will help them to settle into their kennel. We will also require any previous veterinary history to be sent to us.
Step 4:
On arrival, your dog will be taken to a kennel and given time to settle in. They will have a full health check with our Vet and their temperament will be assessed by our trained Kennels Team. They will look at how the dog reacts to different stimuli, various types of handling and if they require any training. From this we determine what type of home the dog would thrive in and we will begin looking for a new home for them as soon as possible.
