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Adopting an animal

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The adoption process is as follows:

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  • Under no circumstances should a member of public attend the Animal Centre without an appointment. An animal visit / appointment will be arranged during the course of the adoption process..

  • The wearing of face masks is recommended during appointments whilst inside our buildings, but not compulsory (as per current HM Govt. guidance) and please continue to to socially distance as much as possible.

  • The health & safety of our staff and volunteers is of utmost importance to us. Unfortunately, we can't adopt out animals to homes where a member of the household is currently showing symptoms of, or has a confirmed case of Covid-19, 

  • Any potential adopter should either be able to access the internet and be able to print & sign documentation / supply photos and / or videos and return them 'electronically', or be prepared to exchange rehoming paperwork by post and / or in person. A hybrid of electronic or physical means is acceptable, but electronic exchanges are usually quicker.
     

Step 1 - Initial interest / application

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  1. You may only select animals listed on the the National RSPCA Find a Pet page (for animals at Southport) or our Facebook page Please do not send in ad hoc application forms for animals not listed, (we will list others when they are ready for rehoming). If you do not readily have access to the internet to see the animals ready for adoption, you may access internet services at your local authority library, A librarian may be able to assist you.

  2. We will use Facebook messenger, email and telephone to communicate with you, We also accept paper documentation.

  3. You must complete a Perfect Match Form for a CAT or a DOG and email it to info@rspcasouthport.co.uk (applications will formally commence upon receipt of a properly completed form and be processed on a 'first come / first served' basis; triggering a 48 hours 'temporary hold' on the animal. Alternatively a paper form can be sent to you by 2nd class post if you call us, but please bare in mind the time this will take compared with an electronic application.

  4. A member of staff will contact you to go through your application to ensure our basic criteria have been met. During or after this conversation, you will either be progressed to Step 2, or your 'temporary hold' will be removed.

 

Step 2 – Matching the animal

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  1. You are advised to read through the adoption documentation on the national RSPCA Website.

  2. An appointment will be made for you to visit the animal you are thinking of adopting and / or staff will arrange for you to meet the animal virtually. The latter will involve the exchange of video footage via Facebook or other means.

  3. You will be asked to provide video footage of other animals that you own to help assess compatibility, or if you have another dog (not cat) you will be asked to bring it to the 'meet and greet' appointment for us to assess compatibility

  4. If the animal matching is successful (this is determined by staff), then a reserve may be placed on the animal you wish to adopt.

 

Step 3 – Home Visit

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  1. We will review your home location on Google Maps when possible.

  2. We will home visit the animal's potential accommodation either electronically, or a Home Visitor will make arrangements with you to come to see your home and the arrangements you have made for pet ownership.. The former will need you to email photographs of the inside of your home, animal sleeping area, enclosure and rear garden as appropriate. Similarly a short video walkthrough should be provided.

  3. If approved, an adoption form will be emailed or sent to you, for you signature and return. You can scan / photograph the signed page and return this via email or return to us via post The animal cannot be adopted until the adoption paperwork has been properly completed.

  4. An appointment will be arranged with you for the collection of your animal.

  5. You will receive a telephone call to take your credit / debit card details for the adoption fee. Your card must be in the adopter's name with its billing address the same as where you and the animal will live. Your animal cannot be delivered until payment has been received. You can also pay in cash if necessary, but we do prefer payment via card.

  6. You will need to provide your own food and equipment. A limited number of items may be purchased when paying the rehoming fee if necessary and collected with your animal. 

 

Step 4 – Appointment to view and collect your animal

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  1. For cat collection you should bring a Cat Carrier to your appointment (knock on reception door to let us know you have arrived).

  2. For dogs, you should bring your own collar and lead / harness to your appointment (knock on reception door to let us know you have arrived). Please note that in some circumstances, multiple visits may be required before the adoption of a dog can be completed and collected.

Step 5 - Ongoing Support

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  1. Ongoing support can only be provided electronically, or by telephone.

  2. If it becomes necessary to return an animal for any reason, you should in the first instance talk to a member of staff via telephone, to see if we can be of help to resolve a situation. Failing that, an appointment will be made for you to return the animal.

    Adoption Fees (from*)
    Dogs £200
    Cats £100

    *Charges may be significantly more for puppies and specific breeds

    Please note - important vaccine information:

    Nationally supplies of cat and dog vaccines have become challenging across the sector at the present time.

    The national RSPCA's head vet has issued clinical guidance to make best use of this limited supply and therefore your adopted pet may not have received the full course of vaccinations. Information will be provided with adopters on how best to manage this situation.
    Given the unprecedented situation we need to preserve and focus our stocks therefore adopters will need to arrange with their veterinary practice for vaccinations as and when they become available. As a charity caring for some of the animals most in need we have had to take measures to ensure those animals most vulnerable to disease receive the limited vaccinations available to us.

    In effect this may mean that your cat or dog will leave us as not fully vaccinated, or a course has been started with a vaccine not stocked by all vets. It will be your responsibility to locate a vet that does stock the departure vaccination for its booster. Unfortunately, if coverage lapses you will need to recommence a new course of the vaccine available at your vets.

    This only applies to vaccines and not flea prevention treatments / wormers. The rehoming fee remains unaltered.

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Click on the animal pictures below to see the animals that we currently have available

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Geoffrey Cat.jpg
Bobbi.jpg
Marvin Dog.jpg
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