Rehoming policy.

Policy on Re-Homing Companion Animals

Aim

The Branch aims to accept all those animals which are suitable for re-homing into its care, until they can be placed in appropriate permanent and caring homes.

RSPCA Re-homing Policy and Practices 

The Branch supports the RSPCA national policy, and will abide by the guidelines.

Branch Guidelines

(i) Wherever possible animals, will be accepted into our care immediately. If accommodation unavailable, animals will be kept on a waiting list in the order in which their current owners contact us.

(ii) Certain priority cases may be moved to the head of the list. These cases include, but are not limited to:

  • Inspectorate cruelty or welfare cases;
  • animals whose owners have died or become permanently incapacitated;
  • animals whose owners are being evicted or moving immediately; and
  • animals who are taken to a vets or the Branch Clinic for euthanasia, who are suitable for re-homing

(iii) The Branch would not normally re-home an animal where:

  • the animal (dog or puppy) would regularly be left unattended for more than four hours per day;
  • the adopters are non-permanent UK residents;
  • the adopter’s accommodation has no access to a garden (dogs only)
  • the adopter’s accommodation is beside a busy road (cats); and
  • the adopter lives in a flat other than a ground floor flat (cats), unless the cat stays permanently in the flat and is not let outdoors, e.g. FIV-positive animals.

Additional Points to Note

  • Adopters who have communal gardens will be assessed on a case by case basis; taking into account the wishes of the landlord, other residents, the presence of other animals and access to/the security of the garden.
  • If in a rented/housing association/HM forces or council property, adopters need to obtain the landlord’s, superior officer’s or establishment’s permission within 3 working days of the reservation being taken. A virtual or face-to-face home visit will not arranged until permission has been received. If the required documents have not been received, the Centre reserves the right to cancel the reservation.
  • Applications by service personnel will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Written proof is required from the service person’s superiors as to whether they are likely to move out of the UK in the foreseeable future.
  • Animals to be re-homed with children, or where children visit (e.g. grand children), must be carefully matched to the household and assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the age, nature and experiences of both the animal and children.
  • We generally ask for a minimum five foot high fence for dogs. However, each case will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. For example, an elderly dog or toy dog could need less. We give all adopters the opportunity to improve their fencing.
  • We will ask all applicants to complete a copy of our own Branch Animal Application Forms for each individual species.  If you have completed a “Perfect Match” form from the National RSPCA website, we will need you to complete our application form instead.
  • The Branch Animal Application Forms can be completed in person at our Animal Centre, online or we can email an application that can be completed and returned to us before visiting the Centre.
  • In exceptional circumstances, where a potential adopter has to travel more than 50 miles to view an animal, the Branch is able to email an application form which can be completed and returned to us before visiting the Centre.
  • We generally do not rehome to a household where any member has an allergy relating to the animal(s) being adopted. However, where adopters or family members state they take medication to control the allergy, the management may apply discretion on a case-by-case basis.
  • Vaccination details of currently owned animals (cats, dogs and rabbits only) to be seen by the centre staff and photocopied for our records within 3 working days of reservation being taken. A virtual or face-to-face home visit will not be arranged until this information has been received. If receipt of required documents has not taken place by the deadline, the Centre reserves the right to cancel the reservation.
  • Dogs, Rabbits, Ferrets and Guinea pigs are required to meet all of the same species that live in the home or reside within the same accommodation before the adoption takes place. Existing animals may be required to visit more than once, depending on staff assessment of progress and outcomes.

Fostering

Animals which come into the Branch’s care may be fostered in the following circumstances, and priority must be given to those most in need:

  • animals whose condition is deteriorating after a long stay or through stress;
  • elderly or very young animals who may suffer stress when not in a home environment

All other re-homing rules and guidelines apply to a foster animal, including assessment and home visiting. No foster home should normally be used for more than one animal.

Assessment

No animals should normally be rehomed within seven (cats) to ten (all other animals) days of coming into the Branch’s care, to enable suitable assessments to be made. Staff will fully assess all animals at the Centre and record the details.

Home Visiting

Virtual or face-to-face home visits should be made before re-homing an animal and between 3-4 months afterwards, to ensure that the animal has been re-homed successfully. The Home Visit Co-ordinator will monitor the home visits.

Fostering before Adoption 

In some cases, at the discretion of the Animal Centre Manager, potential adopters will be asked to foster an animal for a period before they officially adopt. This is especially in cases where the animal has known behavioural issues, has been returned to us already or, in the case of rabbits, where we are re-homing to an adopter who has existing rabbit(s), to ensure they bond successfully.

Adoption Fee

There is an adoption donation fee for all animals; this fee varies dependent on the animal being adopted. Any change to the set fee is at the discretion of the Animal Centre Manager or agreed deputy.

Returning Animals

If an adopter decides that they no longer wish to keep the animal(s) that they have re-homed from our Branch, we ask that they contact us so that arrangements can be made to take the animal(s) back into our care. It may be a little while before we can take the animal back into our care due to the number of spaces we have available, however we will help as soon as we possibly can. All returns must be by prior arrangement wherever possible.

Neutering

Unless there are overriding medical or behavioural reasons, all animals will be neutered before adoption takes place. Where the animal is not old enough for the procedure to take place, the adopter will be provided with a voucher for the operation and the Animal Centre will check that the procedure takes place at the appropriate time.

Vaccination

Unless there are overriding medical or behavioural reasons, dogs, cats and rabbits will be vaccinated before adoption takes place. Where the animal is due a second vaccination post adoption, an appointment will be arranged at an appropriate date and time for the Centre staff to carry out the procedure at the Centre.

Internal and external parasites

Unless there are overriding medical or behavioural reasons, an appropriate parasite treatment (e.g. for fleas, worms and mites) will be administered to dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets, appropriate to species, before adoption takes place.

Microchip

Unless there are overriding medical or behavioural reasons, dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets and where appropriate birds will be microchipped before adoption takes place. It is now against the law to have dogs and cats microchipped.

Records 

A record of each animal which comes into the Branch’s care, including those fostered, will be maintained at the Animal Centre on Anilog, which is specific software for animal welfare management.

Records will include the known history, veterinary treatment, assessment details and records of home visits etc. This data will be used for preparing monthly statistical returns.

Points to note relating to each species:

Cats

  • No holiday or change in circumstances within 3 months of adoption.
  • 24/7 access to shelter by means of cat flap, shed, garage, kennel or alternative. We require evidence within 5 working days of the reservation being taken. A virtual or face-to-face home visit will not be arranged until the evidence has been received. If the required information has not been received, the Centre reserves the right to cancel the reservation.
  • If adopting a cat that will go outside, the cat must have direct access to outside from the adopter’s property, without having to go via communal areas, such as corridors or stairs.
  • All indoor cats must be provided with litter trays (two litter trays per cat) and lots of stimulation.
  • An outdoor/indoor cat cannot be housed with a FIV positive cat.
  • Communal garden adoptions are dependent on the home visit.
  • Where the adopter’s accommodation is near a busy road or railway, Managers may authorise the adoption at their discretion.
  • Adoptions to homes with no gardens are dependent on the home visit.
  • If adopting to a house with one existing cat, the minimum requirement is that one cat (either the current cat or the adoptive cat) is fully vaccinated before any adoption/foster takes place. (In a multi cat household all cats must be vaccinated.)
  • Kittens to be assessed on a case-by-case basis as to how long they can be left unattended.
  • The number of cats per household must be equal to or less than the number of rooms in the house. If the Centre is unsure of the space available for a multi-cat household, it will depend on the feedback from the face-to-face home visit.
  • All cats within the home must be neutered unless there is a medical/age reason not to. A vet’s letter will be accepted.
  • It is a legal requirement that all cats are to be microchipped. (Please see the Microchipping section of our website for how we may be able to help with microchipping.)

Dogs

  • No holiday or change in circumstances within 3 months of adoption.
  • Adopting to a home where a holiday has been booked within 3-6 months of the adoption, will be assessed on a case-by-case basis dependent on the dog, and boarding/who is looking after the dog during the holiday.
  • The dog cannot be regularly left unattended for more than 4 hours within a 24-hour period. If the time the dog is left exceeds 4 hours, adoptions will be considered by the management on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the situation and the nature of the dog, the Managers may agree to rehome a dog whose adopter plans to leave it for more than 4 hours with alternative care in place.
  • Depending on the situation and nature or the dog, the Managers may agree to re-home a dog where the adopter plans to leave the dog for more than 4 hours with alternative care in place.
  • We do not adopt dogs where the care will be shared, e.g. where the dog is moved from house to house. We do not re-home in this way because it becomes very confusing for the dog and most of the dogs in our care require further training and socialisation.
  • Dogs can go to work with the adopter, dependent on dog, the business and practicality of the workplace. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. We may require confirmation from the business owner that the dog is allowed on its premises, dependent on the situation.
  • Face-to-face home visits of work place must be done if the dog will routinely be at the work premises.
  • Dog flaps will not be accepted as a substitute for maximum length of time the dog is left alone.
  • All dogs within the home must be neutered, unless there is a behavioural/medical/age reason not to do so. A vet’s letter will be accepted, and suitability assessed.
  • All dogs must be vaccinated. If adopting to a house with an existing dog, the minimum requirement is that one dog (either the current dog or the adoptive dog) is fully vaccinated before any adoption/foster takes place. If not fully vaccinated, dogs can meet after 5 days after the first vaccination.
  • It is a legal requirement for all dogs to be microchipped. (Please see the Microchipping section of our website for how we may be able to help with microchipping.)
  • We do not adopt dogs to homes with only communal or shared gardens.
  • Adopting to homes with communal access to their own garden is dependent on feedback from the home visit and Centre Manager’s discretion.
  • Puppies can be rehomed to households with children of any age dependent on meet at the Centre.
  • The dog’s nature and temperament will be assessed to decide if s/he will be suitable to be adopted to a home where the dog will be placed into boarding for holidays, etc.

Rabbits

  • Rabbits will be rehomed in already bonded pairs where possible or required to undergo a bonding process with a suitably matched rabbit. Only in extreme circumstances do we rehome rabbits as single rabbits e.g. for health reasons, as they are companion animals and can show signs of depression and loneliness if alone.
  • House rabbits require their own room and open hutch as a safe place, plus dirt box, foraging opportunities, toys, and 24/7 access to hay.
  • Predatory animals must not have access to the area where the rabbit(s) live.
  • All rabbits within the home to be neutered.
  • All rabbits within the home to be fully vaccinated against Myxomytosis and Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease.
  • Rabbit accommodation must be secure, weatherproof, be one continuous area of 45 square feet (4.18 meters squared) and be a minimum of 2 and a half feet (0.6 meters) in height

Birds

  • Birds will be rehomed to aviaries when possible.
  • The aviary must be secure and weatherproof. Size will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will depend on the number and species of birds.
  • Birds can be rehomed singularly or alongside/in view of other birds depending on species, behaviour and/or medical status.
  • Home visits to be carried out for aviaries and indoor birds.
  • Home visits are required where predatory animals currently live in the household.

Degus

  • All male degus within the home to be neutered unless there are medical /age reasons not to do so. A vet’s letter will be accepted.
  • Degus will be homed in pairs or groups where possible.
  • Depending on behaviour and/or medical status, degus can be rehomed alone or alongside/in view of other degus.
  • Current and adopting animals are to meet prior to adoption.
  • Home visits may be required where predatory animals are currently living in the household.
  • Photograph(s) of accommodation is/are required before the adoption can take place.
  • Accommodation size minimum: 3ft (length) x 2ft (width) x 4ft (height) to be increased depending on the number of Degus housed.

Ferrets

  • Adoptions to be considered with an awareness of prey animals in the vicinity of the new home.
  • Ferrets will be homed in pairs or groups where possible.
  • Depending on behaviour and/or medical status, ferrets can be rehomed alone as house ferrets or alongside/in view of other ferrets
  • Current and adopting animals are to meet prior to adoption.
  • All ferrets within the home to be neutered unless there is a medical/age reason not to do so. A vet’s letter will be accepted.
  • Ferret accommodation must be secure, weatherproof and a minimum size of 6ft (length) x 3ft (width) x 3ft.5 (height) (or 180cm (length) x 90cm (width) x 110cm (height)) to be increased dependant on the number of Ferrets housed.

Chinchillas

  • All male chinchillas within the home to be neutered unless there are medical /age reasons not to do so. A vet’s letter will be accepted.
  • Predatory animals must not have access to the room/area where the chinchillas live.
  • Chinchillas can live in an outdoor aviary if set up with appropriate sleeping quarters. Please ask staff for more details.
  • Current and adopting animals are to meet prior to adoption.
  • If applicable, temporary accommodation must be provided so that the chinchillas can be placed next to one another during the bonding process.
  • Home visits are required for all chinchillas.
  • Chinchilla accommodation must be secure, weather proof and a minimum size of 6ft (Length) x 2ft (Width) x 5ft (Height) to be increased dependant on the number of Chinchillas housed.

Guinea pigs

  • All male guinea pigs within the home to be neutered.
  • Depending on behaviour and/or medical status, guinea pigs can be rehomed alone as house Guinea pigs or alongside/in view of other Guinea pigs.
  • Guinea pigs will be homed in pairs or groups where possible.
  • Current and adopting animals are to meet prior to adoption.
  • Home visits may be required where predatory animals are currently living in the same household.
  • A photograph(s) of the proposed accommodation is required before adoption.
  • Guinea pig accommodation must be secure, weatherproof and a minimum size of 6ft (length) x 2ft (width) x 2ft (height) (For 1-2 Guinea Pigs)
  • For 3-4 Guinea Pigs we require a secure, weatherproof accommodation meeting at-least 6ft (length) x 4ft (width) x 4ft (height) to be increased dependant on the number of Guinea Pigs housed.

Rats

  • Rats will be homed in pairs or groups where possible.
  • Rats can be rehomed singularly or alongside/in view of other rats depending on behaviour and/or medical status.
  • A photograph(s) of the proposed accommodation is required before adoption.
  • Home visits may be required where predatory animals are currently living in the same household.
  • If applicable, temporary accommodation must be provided so that the rats can be placed next to one another during the bonding process.
  • Rat accommodation must be secure and a minimum size of 3ft (length) x 2ft (width) x 4ft (height) (or 90cm (length) x 60cm (width) x 150cm (height)) to be increased dependant on the number of Rats housed.

Small Animal(s)

  • Hamster accommodation must be secure and a minimum size of 100cm (length) x 50cm (width) x 50cm (height) 6²ft total
  • Mouse accommodation must be secure and a minimum size of 100cm (length) x 50cm (width) x 50cm (height) 6²ft total
  • Gerbil accommodation must be a secure tank to hold suitable digging substrate and be a minimum size of 3ft (length) x 2ft (width) x 2ft (height) 6²ft total
  • A photograph(s) of the proposed accommodation is required before adoption.
  • Most small animals need a tank-style accommodation with a mesh lid, as barred accommodation does not provide enough burrowing depth.

The policy may be varied with the agreement of the Branch Trustees and Centre Management.

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