On this page you can find out about Heading for Home’s adoption process. We’ve tried to give you as much information as we can so that you know what is happening. If you’d like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We know that looking for a new pet should be an exciting and joyful time; sometimes the processes can seem time-consuming and frustrating. We have tried to stream-line our adoption process so that it is transparent, efficient and not-too-intrusive. However, like most rescue groups, Heading for Home is run by volunteers and we don’t always get it right, although we try hard.
If you are frustrated with the process please feel free to give us a little nudge, or if you’d like to help us improve, provide some constructive feedback, positive, or negative!
Step 1
Fill out an adoption questionnaire
When you see one of our pets that you are interested in meeting, we ask you to complete one of our adoption questionnaires.
Of course you are always welcome to contact us via email or phone if you have further questions
Step 2.
Meeting your potential new best friend
Once we have received your questionnaire we will talk you further and make arrangments for you to visit us and the animal you are interested in. Generally our meeting times are on the weekends and we will organise a time which is convenient for you and for us.
At the meeting you can spend time with the animal you are interested in, and we will talk to you about them, any special needs they may have, their history, temperament, behavior and any requirements. We will also talk to you about your expectations around adopting a pet.
If things go well and you and the animal seems a good match then the adoption can proceed.
After the meeting
You are always welcome to go away and have a think about the meeting; we have no wish to pressure anyone into an adoption they are not sure about.
In the event that there are several applications for one of our animals we will go through the applications and invite the first, suitable applicant for a meeting. If the adoption doesn’t go ahead, we’ll invite the next person in line for a meeting. It’s not a perfect system we admit, but it seems the fairest.
We’ll keep you informed about the process. If you are interested in one of our pets, but miss out, let us know if you’d be interested in us keeping your application on file.
We also encourage you to keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates on our current animals and any coming into our care. If you are interested in a newly arrived pet, please let us know.
Your current dog
If you have an existing dog and are thinking of adopting a companion then you are encouraged to bring him or her with you.
Refusing an adoption
Sometimes we refuse an adoption because we believe that you and the animal are not a good match. Please try not to be offended. We understand if you might be disappointed, but in the long run we believe that it is better to disappoint people rather than allow an adoption to go ahead if we thing it is not a good match.
That doesn’t mean we don’t think you are likely to be a responsible pet owner, rather that we think that the animal and you are not a good match. In that case we might suggest another animal we have, keep you on file and look for a more suitable animal, direct you to another group who might be able to suit your needs better or encourage you to keep in contact and apply for other animals in the future.
Step 3.
Adopting your new best friend
Adoption procedure
Provided the dog or cat has had all their vetwork (desexing, etc) completed, you can take your new companion home that day.
In general our preference is that once we have agreed that an adoption will proceed that your new companion goes home with you as soon as possible. However, if there are circumstances which mean that you are unable to do so immediately we are happy to discuss arrangements with you.
In general we don’t hold animals for long periods of time, so in the event you are unable to proceed with an adoption immediately because you are going away on holiday, for example, we will suggest you contact us about the adoption upon your return. We will continue to make the animal available for adoption.
Adoption agreement
If the adoption goes ahead, you will be asked to complete our adoption agreement. This details our expectations of you and also details our two week refund period. At the time of adoption you will receive a copy of veterinary paperwork (desexing and vaccination certificates), details of microchip and any other relevant information.We will also give you information about your pet’s current feeding regimes.
View the adoption agreement form
Adoption Fee
You can pay your adoption fee in cash on the day, or you can transfer it into our bank account. We will provide you with details.
We can’t accept credit or debit card payments.
Step 4.
Taking your new best friend home
If you are adopting a cat, you will need to bring a cat carrier to take your new friend safely home.
If you are adopting a dog, you should bring a leash and collar or a car harness.
We will contact you a few times, by email or phone, in the two weeks after adoption to make sure your new companion is settling into your home.
We are always available if you have any questions or concerns at any time, are always welcome to contact us via email or phone if you have further questions.
At the end of the two week period, if you are content that your new friend suits your home, we will organise transfer of the microchip details in to your name.
We have information here about your new pet’s diet while in our care.
Support
If you have any concerns at any time we will always be happy to help with advice and support. We have a page of our favourite training resources that you might like to download and read, either before, or after, the adoption.
We highly recommend Underdog Training and Pawfect Manners Dog Training, if you’d like some additional help with your new pet.
Step 5.
Send us updates and photographs of your new pet in their home. We love updates!
Thank you for adopting from us.