How to Adopt a Dog from the RSPCA

HOW TO FIND A DOG

We follow our local RSPCA branch on Facebook and just so happened to spot a post that they shared showing a very handsome Pug called Henry. They were asking for people to donate food, as Henry was new to the centre. At the time, we weren’t actively looking for another dog, but it was something we were considering. It seemed like fate!

We went into the RSPCA with a bag of pug food, with the intention of also registering our interest.

As well as following your local RSPCA Facebook page, I’d suggest heading over to their website and registering for email alerts. That way you won’t miss your perfect dog!

PERFECT MATCH FORM

At the time, we thought that you could just go in and see all of the dogs, before choosing which one you like. Turns out, that’s not how it works at all. You fill out a perfect match form, which you can see below (correct at March 2020). You can also download the form here and drop it into your local branch.

The form asks about what breeds you are interested in, what your lifestyle is like, if you have time for training and if you have any children or other dogs. The point of the form is to find out if your lifestyle matches the needs of the dog that they are looking to regime.

The RSPCA will then choose Henry’s perfect owner or family and you’ll receive a phone call to say that you have been chosen as his perfect match. For us, this call came a few days after we submitted out form. Funnily enough, we were actually the second choice. His first perfect match didn’t work out for whatever reason!

MEET THE DOG

Once you have been chosen as a dog’s perfect match, this is the point where you can come into branch and meet the dog for the first time. If you have another dog, they suggest that only the humans come along for the first time, so as to not intimidate the new dog.

We received our phone call and were invited in a few days later to meet Henry and find out more about him.