Where to look

When you start looking for a dog to adopt, you will probably come across lots of different rescue organisations. Some are large, established charities with their own shelters and experienced teams. Others are small groups run entirely by volunteers, often helping dogs in countries where resources and opportunities for rehoming are limited.

There are also rescues that work mainly through foster homes, organisations that arrange adoptions directly from overseas shelters, and individuals who help dogs find homes through social media.

Not all rescue groups work in the same way, and this can make quite a difference to your adoption experience.

Some organisations will have spent weeks or months getting to know a dog before making them available for adoption. Others may be working with very limited information, particularly when a dog is still living in an overseas shelter.

This doesn't automatically mean one rescue is better than another. Small volunteer groups often do wonderful work and are deeply committed to the re-homing process. But how a rescue operates, how well they know the dogs in their care and what support they offer adopters are all things worth understanding before you commit.

It's worth taking some time to find out who you are adopting from, how they make decisions about suitable homes and what happens if things don't go quite as expected.

Choosing the right rescue group

The size of an organisation doesn't necessarily tell you how responsibly it operates. What matters is how decisions are made, how much is known about the dogs and whether adopters are given the information and support they need. When it comes to adoption, choosing the right rescue before choosing your dog can make all the difference. It is the best way to ensure you have the right support and guidance available to you should things not go to plan.

What information does the rescue provide?

Before adopting, you should be able to have an open conversation about the dog you are considering.

This includes what is known about their history, health, behaviour and experiences, as well as any difficulties they may have shown while in the rescue's care. A rescue group that rushes you to make a decision, is not the right sort of rescue to adopt from. They should be willing to provide as much information as they have available (including video footage, and not just photos), helping you understand who your dog really is.

It is worth asking where the information they provide actually comes from. Has the dog been observed in a shelter, a foster home or both? Who has assessed their behaviour, and under what circumstances?

A dog described as friendly in a familiar shelter environment may respond quite differently to unfamiliar people or situations once they arrive in a home. This doesn't mean they cannot settle with the right support in place- but honesty from the very beginning goes a long way in setting you and your dog up for a happy life together.

The reality of adoption, is that rescues cannot know everything about every dog. Particularly with dogs found as strays, much of their history may be unknown. What matters is that the rescue is honest about what they know, what they have observed and what they cannot yet tell you.

The adoption process and home assessment

A responsible rescue should want to know about you, and a thorough home assessment is always a good sign a rescue is doing all they can to place a dog responsibly.

You may be asked about your home, your working arrangements, previous experience with dogs, other animals in the household and what you hope life with your new dog will look like.

Some rescues carry out a home visit, while others use video calls, questionnaires or a combination of these.

A home assessment shouldn't simply be about the physical space available. It is an essential tool to help the rescue understand whether your home, lifestyle and expectations are likely to suit the individual dog you have enquired about.

Equally, it isn't just an assessment on the rescue's behalf. This is also a valuable opportunity for you to ask questions and discuss anything you are unsure about. The rescue should be willing to take the time to address any doubts, answer any queries you may have honestly, and help set things up for your new arrival. If an organisation seems more interested in arranging transport or collecting an adoption fee than understanding whether the dog is a suitable match, this is not the way things should be. Genuine rescuers who care deeply for their dogs want to ensure they dog is being matched to the best possible home environment, with the best chance of a successful adoption.

What happens if the adoption doesn't work?

Responsible rescues have a rescue back up (RBU) arrangement, meaning they remain responsible for helping the dog if the adoption cannot continue. You may read about this term on adoption profiles, but it is important to understand what the actually means in practice.

Does the rescue have the ability to take the dog back? Would they arrange foster care or another suitable placement if necessary? What would the timeframe for placement look like, and what would happen in the meantime? How is the team able to support you, should you need urgent help or in the eventuality that your dog develops behavioural difficulties that you cannot safely manage?

For dogs adopted from overseas, these questions are particularly important. Simply stating that a dog has rescue back up is not the same as having a realistic plan in place.The rescue may not have kennels or foster homes in the UK, and finding an alternative placement at short notice can be difficult. A responsible re-homing group will have emergency foster placements available. If they do not, they should give you clear guidelines as to what will happen if you feel the dog cannot safely remain in your home.

What support does the rescue provide after adoption?

It is worth finding out what level of contact and support you can expect once your dog arrives. Will someone check in with you during the settling in period? Is there a person you can contact if you have concerns? Can the rescue help you find appropriate professional support if needed?

Some organisations have experienced volunteers or behaviour professionals involved in their adoption process. Others may have limited resources but with years of experience and understanding, still be in a position to provide thoughtful, practical guidance.

It is not necessarily reasonable to expect a volunteer run rescue to provide unlimited behavioural support, and this is one of the adoption costs you will need to factor in.

Taking your time to decide

It can be difficult to ask practical questions when you have already fallen in love with a dog, particularly if their story is upsetting or you feel an urgency to help them.

Choosing to help a dog in need is a compassionate and caring choice. But adopting a dog is a significant commitment, and a responsible rescue should understand that you will need time to make an informed decision.

You should feel comfortable asking questions, requesting further information and discussing any concerns.

If you do decide that a particular dog or rescue group is not the right fit, trust your gut feeling. You are making a decision that will affect both you, your family and the dog in question for many years to come.

Would you like help preparing for your home assessment?

With over 10 years of experience carrying out home assessments for rescue organisations, I can help you understand what to expect, what questions you may be asked and how to prepare. A Pre Adoption Consultation gives us the chance to talk through your circumstances and any concerns you might have before your assessment.