DOGS TRUST REHOMING

• Rehoming Centres

Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre in West London

Developed on the site of a disused farm

Set in 16 acres of farmlandincludes two Grade II listedbarns

75 kennels for strayand abandoned dogs

Intake of Dogs (SOP1)� Type of intake

� Handover� Stray� Transfer

Intake of dogs (SOP1)� Handover

� Opportunity to be selective� Right mix of dog breeds/types� Behavioural intake assessment

Handover Questionnaire� Owner’s details� Description of dog; age, breed, colour, sex� Background of dog� Medical history; neutered, vaccinated, existing health issues� Reaction towards– children, dogs, cats, live stock, strangers� Behaviour when left; housetrained, barking, destructive� Travelling� Handling/grooming� What dog enjoys� Fears/phobias� Reason for handover

Intake of dogs (SOP1)� Stray dogs� Directly from members of public/abandonment� 7 day dogs

Intake of dogs (SOP1)� Transfer� Internally� Externally

All our dogs are….

• Vet checked

• Vaccinated

• Neutered + other medical

• Microchipped

•Wormed

•Deflead

Right frame of mind: Exercise

� Lead exercise� Compounds� Socialisation

Right frame of mind

� Real life room� Training� CEVA DAP Collars� Home from Home

Rehoming kennels� Location of dogs in kennels� Pairing is important

Hello!

My name is Chewy

I’m a 3 yr old German Shepherd

I like

You may also like to know that:Chewy is looking for an experienced ownerwho understands the needs of his breed. New owners need to have worked with or trained German Shepherds before. If you think you can give him a home please ask about him at reception.Can you give me a loving home?

Y N Depends onExperience

?

Drawing attention to dogs

Oakfields• Old Age Dogs home

Promotion of dogs� Website: www.dogstrust.org.uk� Presentation in reception� Dog parade� Open days� Dog of the week in local papers� TV� MRU� Walk through town (rehoming map/dog coats)

Homefinding Questionnaire� Address� Type/age of dog wanted� Male/Female (females more popular and less)� Type of home; owned, garden� Who lives at home� Children� Length of time dog left� Other animals in home; dogs, cats, etc� Exercise

Match making: Owner to dog� Staff� Personality; mix of people and dog skills� Customer care vital � Right approach� Training: Rehomer training course

Match Making: owner to dog� Appropriate dog for family using homefinder/dog’s details� Family introduction� Introduce other dogs� Cat introduction� Home visit� Vet reference/registration

PRE-ADOPTION TALK

January 07

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

January 07

• Micro chip – permanent identification of dog. Details held on Petlog database

• 4 weeks free insurance from Petplan.

• Food starter pack from Arden Grange

• Collar and lead

• Temporary address tag

• All dogs checked by vet, wormed, vaccinated, de-flea’d and either neutered or issued with neutering voucher

BASIC LEGAL OBLIGATIONS OF KEEPER

• Dogs must wear collar and tag when in a place to which the public has access (can include garden)

• Dogs must be kept under control in public places

• Muzzle if necessary – rehoming centre will advise

• Byelaws usually prohibit fouling of footpaths and public spaces – pick up after dog

January 07

ADOPTER’S EXPECTATION

• Adopting a dog requires commitment and work from the adopter. No dog will be perfect and all will need understanding and training.

• Don’t expect too much too soon – the dogs have sometimes had a tough start in life. Every dog will need time to settle into a new environment

January 07

LIVING WITH A DOG

• Settling in to new home

• The first night

• House training

• Other training

• Leaving the dog alone

• Natural behaviour, body language and games

• House rules

• Socialising with other humans, visitors and children

• Socialising with other pets and other dogs

January 07

LIVING WITH A DOG

• Diet and exercise

• Grooming, vaccinations etc

• Car travel

January 07

LASTLY

• Remember to give the dog a fair chance to settle in, but if the rehoming does not work out we always take the dog back – about 10% of rehomes do not work, so there should be no guilt attached to returning the dog.

• Within the first couple of days you will receive a phone call from a veterinary nurse, calling on our behalf, to ask if the dog is settling in alright or if there are any problems. She will give advice if necessary.

• Call us at an early stage if there is a problem or you feel you need advice – don’t be shy about it, it’s what we’re here for. Early advice and a bit of work can usually save the situation.

• ANY QUESTIONS?

January 07

ADOPTING FROM DOGS TRUST

• A pre-adoption talk

• Free advice for life

• Free collar, lead and food sample

• 4 weeks insurance

• Microchip

All our adopters receive….

After care

� Post adoption visit� Behavioural support / advice� We guarantee to take back any dog� Training classes

Review

THE ADOPTION PROCESS

We need to ask more questions We need to be more confident in our decisionsWe need to be more strict (no means no)We need to write the names of the dogs on the questionnaire + if someone has been told no we need to know this + initial the pointGeneral communication about customersOffer alternatives or suggest coming back another dayIf they say they have a dog walker then we need a letter of proofWe need to stress that known of our dogs are house trainedWe need to remember that the back up of the managers is always an optionAssertiveness training would be helpfulWe need to be stricter about leaving hoursThink of dogs needs above customers needs (Lucky position but right approach to take)More than one dog meetDefine ‘had dog before and what is meant by ‘experienced owner’ (breed specific, etc)Explained what is involved in adoption processJust say ‘NO’

Review� Why are our dogs being brought back� Biting; people/dog aggression� Not suitable homes e.g. Old woman wanting young hyperactive dog� Change of circumstances� Puppies being returned e.g. lack of house training, get bigger, need training

� Preventative measures� Short term compulsory training classes e.g. with Dogs Trust� Questionnaires need to be more specific� Ask for i/d to confirm age, address� Spot checks on all dogs rehomed – especially stressed dogs� More indepth questions on handover form� Need new owner to read up on breeds and breed traits� Need more thorough long term assessments i.e. over 4 days� More quality time spent when going through assessments i.e. Using screens, using ticket

system� Separate staff

Dogs Trust Foster Scheme - Hooch

• Dogue de Bordeaux

with hip displaysia

� Bad start to life, in

kennels for 5 months

� Part Foster Scheme

DOGS TRUST Canine Care card - MICKEY

� A twelve-year-old

Cocker Spaniel

• Owner had him since

he was a 10 weeks old

• She suddenly

passed away, and her

daughter was unable

look after him