Read our 5 step guide to adopting a dog from the Dumfries and Galloway Canine Rescue Centre.
Please take time to read our adoption process so you have a better idea of what will happen every step of the way when rehoming a dog from DGCRC. After all, you could have your canine companion for 10yrs or more, so getting the right match is very important to us. The adoption process takes between 7-14 days from application. Only apply if you are able to proceed within this time scale and do not have any prior commitments (holiday, days out, visitors staying etc)that will delay this process.
Step 1: Registering
If you have seriously considered adopting a dog and everyone in your household is in agreement, the first step is to get in touch.
To get the ball rolling please fill in one of our home finder forms below. There is a few basic questions you need to answer and from the answers you give us, if we feel we have a dog/s that would suit your lifestyle you will be asked to attend an appointment at the centre where we will go through some more in depth questions.
Step 2: Find Your Perfect Partner
From the information that you have provided us our rehoming team will assist to match you with one of our dogs.
If we feel we have a dog that will be a good match you can meet that dog/s during your appointment. You will be able to spend time with the dog and take them for a walk. If you feel you would like to proceed you will be asked to go away and think about taking on that dog, you will not be asked for a decision immediately. Assuming you would like to go ahead all family members including any dogs in the home will be asked to come and meet the dog. If you live in rented accommodation you will need to bring proof that you are allowed to have a dog in that property. Ideally you will be asked to visit the dog twice before taking the dog home with you.
Step 3: Home Check
A home visit enables us to check things like the security of the garden, if you have one, and for us to understand the likely living arrangements for your new family member.
Now is also a good time to ask any questions you forgot to ask when visiting the centre. Please don’t worry about the visit, we have no hard and fast rules, we just want to ensure the dog you hope to adopt is right for you and what you can offer a dog. It is also a good time for us to pre-empt any teething problems by offering appropriate advice.
Step 4: Homeward Bound
Assuming the home visit went well you would be able to adopt your chosen dog and take them home.
An appointment will be made for you to come and sign the adoption paperwork. We ask a minimum donation of £220.00 to help support the charity with the work we do. We will ask you to bring an engraved identity disc with your name, address and phone number on to attach to your dog’s collar. Please note – We will not allow the dog to leave the centre without an identity tag on. Bringing a collar and lead would also be advisable, but we can supply a second hand set for a small donation. You will be advised on what your dog has been eating and we will supply you with some to take home with you, so you can gradually transition your dog onto the food you will be feeding to help prevent upset tummies.
All of our dogs are microchipped, vaccinated, have had flea/worm prevention treatment and if old and well enough they will be neutered. If your dog hasn’t been neutered we can discuss your future options. You will also be given 4 weeks free Petplan insurance.
Step 5: Follow Up
So you’ve adopted a DGCRC dog what happens now? We will be in touch within 48hrs of you taking your dog home, just to check everything has gone as planned, then again in 10-14 days.
It can take weeks and sometimes months for a dog to settle in a new home, please give your new family member your time and patience. We are here for you in the days, weeks, months and even years of you adopting a DGCRC dog. We are only a phone call away. No matter how small the problem is please call as we are here to help and give advice. We offer lifetime back up for our dogs, and although we hope you’ll never need to, if you are no longer able to keep your dog they will always have a safe place here to return to.