The Dog Rescuers Training Centre

Since we started in 2018, we have successfully rehomed in excess of three hundred rescue dogs and had only three breakdowns in adoptions, that's less than 1%!  With education we know we can reduce this further. 

Our aim is to find permanence for all our rescue dogs in loving homes, so matching you and your special rescue dog is essential so that you can live a long and happy life together.  This is why our terms and conditions are so important, they protect you, your rescue dog and us.  

We take all necessary steps to ensure our rescue dogs are rehomed safely from the information provided to us by the dog’s current owner or the rescue the dog is currently in. 

We will provide updates, photos and video or arrange introductions for you to meet your dog if they are local to you.

All of our rescue dogs have their own very special story, we do our best to tell this for them to provide our adopters with as much information as possible. All of our dogs are:

• Neutered (if sexually mature enough)
• Wormed
• Flea treated
• Vaccinated
• Health checked.

Dogs travelling from our partners in Spain:

• All dogs are blood tested for certain Mediterranean diseases including Leishmania, Ehrlichia and Babesia Canis as per DEFRA guidelines. 
• A pet passport stating the vaccinations the rescue dog has had will also be included.  The vaccinations are the same as the four core vaccinations for dogs in the UK.
•  In addition, on your dog's arrival in the UK, you will be given a copy of their official transportation papers in accordance with DEFRA regulations and their microchip will be checked in your presence before you depart with your dog.

Pre-Adoption Training

For generations dogs have had a really tough time, because simply put, many people love them dearly but don't really understand them properly.  This can cause serious problems when a dog's behaviour is misinterpreted or their communication with us is ignored, or an adopter is not confident with training for example, which can lead to adoption breakdowns where the dog is returned to rescue through no fault of their own.  As part of our organisation's objectives, we want to prevent this happening by education.  

As part of our adoption process, we provide training to equip our adopters with up-to-date information based on the latest canine research written by suitably qualified and experienced canine professionals in the field at a small additional cost.

If you have no experience of dog ownership, you will need to undertake our FREE e-learning course Choosing the Right Dog for You prior to adopting a dog from us, in addition to one of the following courses depending on how old the rescue dog is you are adopting.

If you are adopting a dog aged 12 months or more, you will need to undertake our Rescue Dogs:  Good Guardianship course.

If you are adopting a puppy or young dog under 12 months old, you will need to complete our course Positive Puppy Parenting, Care and Welfare.

All adopters must complete at least one of these courses regardless of their experience prior to adopting any of our rescue dogs. 

Please note all adopters are expected to have a fundamental knowledge of:

• How to meet your dog’s welfare needs.
• Your legal responsibilities as a dog owner
• Basic dog training
• Toilet training
• Crate training
• Socialisation
• Puppy care and puppy development stages (if you are adopting a puppy)
• Leash training
• Recall Training for your dog’s safety

Adoption Fee

Once you are thoroughly satisfied with the information we have provided, you will then need to pay your dog’s adoption fee to secure them.  Please use the "Donate" button to do this once you have been asked to do so and all checks have been completed.

Your adoption donation is sent to our rescue partners and used to part way cover the care of their dogs. The adoption fee is non-refundable once you have secured your dog.  

Age Restrictions

We do not rehome puppies or dogs under five years of age to adopters over seventy years of age for various reasons. However, we have many dogs over this age who would make ideal companions for actively retired people.

Physical Requirements

All of our dog’s love walks. Regular walks keep them healthy and mentally stimulated. You will need to be physically fit and active to ensure your dog is exercised according to their breed and exercise levels. If you are purely looking for a dog to join you on the sofa as an indoor companion, dog ownership is probably not for you. Lack of exercise and stimulation are two main causes of behaviour problems in dogs, this is why this is so important.

Your Accommodation

You will need to provide a suitable environment and space for your dog to be part of the family but, in addition, an area for them to have quiet space and time away when they want it. 

We also require you to have a completely secure garden big enough for your dog to play freely, run around and go to the toilet. The fencing will need to be 6 feet in most cases to prevent your dog being stolen easily or escaping if they are this way inclined. Exit gates should be locked to prevent theft.

You agree to housing your dog inside your home. The use of kennels or other housing outside in your garden is not permitted under our terms and conditions due to negative and stressful experiences our rescue dogs may have already endured as well as other problems this will cause for your dog such as separation anxiety and depression to name a few.

Safety & Companionship

Please do not exercise your dog ‘off lead’ until you are completely confident that your dog is safe around other people and animals and will come back to you. You agree to allow a good period of bonding between you and your dog and ensure they have a sound recall before doing this.

You will need to provide company and companionship for your dog so that they are not alone for long periods of time (more than 4 hours maximum). Dogs are very sociable creatures and are happiest when their ‘special person’ is around for them, this is even more so with rescue dogs who can often suffer from separation anxiety due to previous poor experiences in their life.

Insurance

You will need to be financially able to support your dog and provide everything they need including veterinary care and insurance to ensure their welfare needs are met. Your dog being insured is a requirement of this adoption agreement. Veterinary fees can be astronomical and can quickly spiral out of control.   Many owners underestimate the cost of veterinary care and then realise this when it is too late, particularly when a dog is diagnosed with long-term health problems. This is the reason we insist all adopters have insurance in place for their rescue dog.

Microchip & ID Tag

It is compulsory for your dog to be microchipped. It is your responsibility to keep your contact information up to date so that if your dog is lost or stolen, they can be identified and reunited with you. 

If you move to a new house or change your contact details, you must ensure your dog’s microchip information is updated straight away.

We will register your dog in your name on the day of adoption with PETLOG for you, there is a fee of £17 which PETLOG charge for this service which you will need to pay.

When in public, your dog must always wear a collar with an identification tag attached, the ID tag must include your name, address and telephone number. You must ensure the contact details are up to date and clearly visible (Control of Dogs Order 1992).

Neutering

If your dog is not neutered for any reason (puppies who are not sexually mature for example), you agree to have this procedure undertaken by a veterinary surgeon at the earliest opportunity after adoption. You agree to demonstrate this by providing evidence from your dog’s veterinarian.

Vaccinations

You agree to ensure your dog’s annual vaccinations and health check are kept up to date and provide worming and flea treatment care regularly as and when required. Your dog’s vaccinations are essential and cost a relatively small amount for their annual booster, they keep your dog safe from infectious deadly diseases and prevent other dogs being infected who are also unvaccinated. 

Profiteering directly or indirectly

All adopters are prohibited from using their rescue dog for breeding purposes, illegal ‘sporting’ activities including poaching, working activities (unless agreed with Dogs2Foster UK in the best interests of your dog prior to adoption where the dog is an active ‘working dog’ already, for example living and working in a farm environment due to their breed), for paid security purposes as a security dog or for any reason which you would profiteer from them directly or indirectly.

Positive Reinforcement Training

You agree to use positive reinforcement methods which include encouragement and reward-based training which promote bonding, trust and confidence in your rescue dog. If your dog presents a specific behaviour that needs correcting, you agree to take your dog to training classes or seek the help of a professional canine expert.

Accuracy of Information

We accept no liability or responsibility for any damage or injury caused by your dog under your care/ownership or for your dog’s behaviour, true parentage/breed, or age. The information we receive about your dog is assumed accurate and received in good faith from the current owner or rescue sheltering your dog which we try to substantiate as best we can with them.

Dogs which have been abandoned have little or no history unfortunately, so we do our very best to verify as much information as possible through assessment and background checks that we may or may not be able to undertake prior to adoption.

Rehoming Your Dog

If in the future your circumstances change, and you must rehome your rescue dog, you agree as part of our terms and conditions to contact us immediately so that we can facilitate the safe rehoming of your dog. 

If for whatever reason this necessitates your dog being boarded elsewhere other than your home, you are responsible for the cost of boarding your dog for the first 28 days which enables us time to find an adopter or temporary foster home for your dog. 

Adoption breakdowns

In the unlikely event of any adoption breaking down, Dogs2FosterUK will be committed to resolving any problems as quickly as possible via professional help and support with a qualified, canine trainer and behaviourist who can offer emergency advice. 

We may also be able to offer temporary foster care to your rescue dog in the event of an emergency. However, once notice is given in writing, the first 28 days of care in any facility remains your responsibility financially.  

Euthanasia

Under no circumstances should your rescue dog be euthanised (put to sleep) unless it is the opinion of a qualified veterinary surgeon and with our prior knowledge unless it is an emergency situation whereby prolonging life would cause unnecessary suffering to the dog.

Adoption Checks

You agree that to the best of your knowledge that you know of no circumstances whereby you may be evicted from your home, rehomed, or made redundant/dismissed from your place of work or that your job may involve you travelling for long periods of time.

You also agree to Dogs2Foster UK completing necessary reference checks which may include housing checks, employment checks, or veterinary checks as part of this adoption process.

Follow-Up Checks

We kindly request that adopters provide a video update during the first week of adoption to let us know how things are going and if they need advice or support with teething problems which we are happy to advise on free of charge during the first month of your rescue dog being adopted. 

We will then do a follow-check 4-6 weeks later to see how you and you dog are.  Should we have any concerns, we will bring this visit forward and schedule further follow up checks as necessary.

We welcome and greatly appreciate updates from our adopters, many of our adopters are like family to us and are great advocates for rescue dogs and our work. (If you have time, we would love to receive updates about your dog as and when you have time.

Welfare Concerns

If we have any concerns about your rescue dog’s welfare or treatment, these will be discussed directly with you and put in writing with an expectation of immediate change in the best interests of the welfare of your rescue dog.

If our concerns are not addressed appropriately under The Animal Welfare Act 2007, we will have no alternative but to refer the matter to the RSPCA or local police with the expectation that the dog would be signed over to our care as the result of any pending enquiry.

Social Media

All images including video and photographs of your rescue dog may be used in our social media campaigns to raise the profile of adopting a rescue dog as a positive alternative to buying a puppy from a breeder. The images may also be used in our newsletter, marketing materials or in our training and resources. No identifying information will be used apart from Christian names.

Agreeing to our Term and Conditions

Before completing your adoption application, you hereby agree to our terms and conditions having thoroughly read and digested these before making application to adopt a rescue dog through us.