How to rehome a pet

 
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Step 1 icon
 

Decide if rehoming is for you

Have a look at our animals to see if you find a pet which could be a good match for you. 

Read our rehoming FAQs

 
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Step 2 icon
 

Register your interest

Click on the profile of an animal you are interested in and complete an application form. Our rehoming team will then contact you within five days to let you know if your application has been successful.

If you are unable to apply online for any reason, our centre receptions are open daily from 1pm until 4pm where our team will be happy to help you complete the application form on one of our tablets.

 

Meet the animals

 

 
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Step 3 icon
 

Progressing your application

If you are successful, we will arrange to do a home-check with you via video call. We might organise a meet and greet appointment with the animal at our centre in an outdoor space. Due to the limited appointment slots available we will only do this for animals where we have determined there is a need to do so.

Our centres

 

Aberdeenshire

Drumoak
Banchory
AB31 5AJ
03000 999 999

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Angus, Fife & Tayside

Petterden
Dundee
DD4 0QD
03000 999 999

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Ayrshire & South West Scotland

Millview
No. 4 Holding Mainholm
Ayr KA6 5HD
03000 999 999

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Caithness & Sutherland

Balmore
Dounreay by Thurso
KW14 7YB
03000 999 999

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Dunbartonshire & West Scotland

Dumbarton Road
Milton
G82 2UA
03000 999 999

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Edinburgh & Lothians

Mansfield Road
Balerno
EH14 7JU
03000 999 999

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Glasgow

125 Kinnell Avenue
Cardonald, Glasgow
G52 3RY
03000 999 999

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Highlands & Islands

5 Inshes
Inverness
IV2 5BA
03000 999 999

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Lanarkshire

Bothwell Road
Hamilton
ML3 0SB
03000 999 999

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National Wildlife Rescue Centre

Fishcross
Clackmannanshire
FK10 3AN
03000 999 999

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Rehoming FAQs

If you are considering rehoming an animal the questions and answers below may be a helpful starting point.

Step 1

Have a look at the lovely animals who are looking for their forever home on our site. You can see our animal profiles and learn more about their needs and whether they are a good match for you.

Step 2

Register your interest by completing our application form here. If you are interested in more than one animal on our website, then please complete an application form for each animal you would like to rehome.

You will receive an email from us within four hours to confirm we have received your application. (If you have not received a confirmation email, something may have gone wrong during the application process and therefore please resubmit your application).

If you are unable to apply online for any reason, our centre receptions are open daily from 1pm until 4pm where our team will be happy to help you complete the application form on one of our tablets.

Step 3

Due to the high volume of applications, our rehoming team can only respond to applicants who have been successful. If you do not hear from us within ten working days your application has unfortunately not been chosen.

Step 4

If you are successful, we will discuss your application further and arrange a virtual home check.

Step 5

Once your home check has been completed successfully, we might organise a meet and greet appointment with the animal in an outdoor space at our centre. Due to the limited appointment slots available we will only do so for animals where we have determined there is a need to do so.

Step 6

If you wish to go ahead, we will then arrange an appointment for you to collect the animal you are rehoming or, where applicable, you may be able to take the animal home that day. At your final appointment you will also receive a pack containing all relevant information you may need such as vaccination details and any other health information.

You can apply to rehome one of our lovely animals via an animal's profile. Check out the animals available for rehoming here. If you see an animal you think would be suitable for you, click the 'register your interest' button on the animal's profile page to complete the form.

If you are unable to apply online for any reason, our centre receptions are open daily from 1pm until 4pm where our team will be happy to help you complete the application form on one of our tablets.

We are so pleased you’ve seen an animal you like and want to give them a forever home. We want to make sure we match you and your family to an animal that is suitable for your circumstances and also the animal’s needs, and therefore we are unable to make reservations over the phone. Please register your interest by completing an application form, which you can access by clicking on the 'register your interest' button on the profile page of the animal you are interested in.

If you are unable to apply online for any reason, our centre receptions are open daily from 1pm until 4pm where our team will be happy to help you complete the application form on one of our tablets.

Our Animal Helpline team is busy dealing with urgent reports of animals in need, so we're very grateful to everyone who applies online.

We always look to rehome to the person and home which best suited to the animal’s needs.

We do ask for a rehoming fee for all animals we rehome as this helps us cover the costs of caring for them, including neutering, other veterinary fees, food and microchipping. It costs us over £42,000 per day to look after the thousands of animals we care for across our nine rescue and rehoming centres. Our rehoming team will be able to advise you on our fees when we contact you.

Something to bear in mind is that our rehoming fee is just the beginning of the costs involved with owning a pet. We would recommend that before making the decision to rehome, you investigate the costs of pet food, pet insurance, grooming and fees at your local veterinary centre so that you are fully prepared for the ongoing costs of having a pet.

 

DOGS

Puppies

£400 

 

Dogs under 8 years

£300 

 

Dogs over 8 years

£250 

CATS

Kittens

£200 

 

Pair of kittens

£350 

 

Cats under 8 years

£150 

 

Cats over 8 years

£100 

RABBITS

1 Rabbit

£50 

 

Pair of Rabbits

£80 

FERRETS

1 Ferret

£20 

GUINEA PIGS

1 Guinea pig

£20 

 

Pair of Guinea pigs

£35 

HORSES

Shetland Pony 

£350 

 

Other horses

Managers discretion

Every dog and cat we rehome will have been fully vet checked, neutered (subject to veterinary advice), treated against fleas and worms, microchipped, vaccinated and appointment arranged or a voucher issued for a second vaccination. We also include free pet insurance for four weeks.

All rabbits we rehome are vaccinated for rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease (RVHD) and depending on how long they have been with us can also be vaccinated for Myxomatosis.

The cost of having a dog or cat neutered, vaccinated, treated against fleas and worms and microchipped at a private vet can cost you more than £300.

All of our animals that are ready to be rehomed are visible on our website. We may have some animals who are undergoing veterinary treatment or rehabilitative care and are not yet available. If we have any kittens or puppies available for rehoming, then they will appear on our website when they are ready to be rehomed with all of the other animals.

Yes, you can. Rescued animals arrive in our care for many reasons and sometimes we don't know their full history. When we assess our animals, we take into consideration any information we may receive on arrival and their behaviour with us to determine the age of children we feel they would be suitable to live with.

Not all of our animals will suit living in families with children and usually if animals (dogs in particular) are large, strong and boisterous we will recommend they are not rehomed with young children, just to be on the safe side.

Every year we rehome lots of animals to families with children but if the animal you are interested in is not suitable to do so, our team will be delighted to help to find the right animal for you and your family.

Yes, but it will depend on individual circumstances. As long as you have the time, space and can provide for your pets, it should be fine. Of course, you also have to make sure your pets will get along and we will give you advice on the best way to introduce your new family member.

When completing your rehoming application, please provide as much information on the other pets in your home as possible.

Welcoming an animal in to your family is a big commitment. Ideally, everyone in your household will be happy with this decision and get involved in providing the care and stimulation your new pet needs.