Give a dog a home
If you can offer a dog a loving new home...
We aim to find our dogs loving new homes by working to a re-homing policy, which matches each dog's individual needs, characteristics and traits with the most suitable new owner and living environment.
To achieve this we need to ask prospective owners a few simple questions, which are followed up by an informal visit to your home. If you have owned a pet before we may need to ask for a vet's reference. Most vets are familiar with the procedure and are happy to help.
Our procedure is aimed to benefit both dog and prospective owner so your help and patience is much appreciated.
As our charity receives no government funding and we are not part of a national organisation we can only continue to provide our dog re-homing service through public donations and fund raising events. To assist in funding our work you will be asked for a minimum donation of £75 for your dog. This includes our Pooch Pack fact sheet, which details the dog's history, characteristics and any other pertinent information, which will assist you. The fee also includes micro chipping, which aids identification in the event your dog goes missing.
Useful Information on Rehoming
The dogs requiring re-homing via DAWGS come to the organisation for a multitude of reasons. Some of the most common include, the break up of a marriage, the birth of a baby, the loss of an elderly owner, change in the circumstances of a family and a change in the hours of work. The one thing that all of these have in common is that the dog itself hasn't the foggiest idea why he (or she) has been taken away from the home they have known, for perhaps years, and handed on to strangers. This is probably the first thing that we humans have to remember - for all dogs such a big change is inevitably traumatic.
Dogs differ in personality just as much as people and for some - the most loyal and devoted - the move will be as difficult as it is incomprehensible. They will need particular care and love before they can feel secure again. For some others, especially if they are young and easily distracted, the move to new owners will be manageable and they will settle in quickly with their new family. For some dogs indeed, their previous lives have been so unhappy that a new home is paradise itself.
If you are thinking about offering a home to a dog (and we hope that lots of you are!) you may want to think about the following ways to make the move to your family a positive experience. The right approach at the very beginning will make all the difference to your new hound becoming a part of your family.
All dogs need time to settle in - at least several weeks will need to pass before your new friend can feel secure and happy.
Caring for dogs
Try not to crowd your new dog too soon. Perhaps your extended family could wait a few days before they visit - dogs need a bit of peace and quiet in new situations, especially if they are nervous of crowds.
Some dogs will attach themselves to certain members of your family for no apparent reason for a period and until they feel safe. Dogs are individuals and you may find that the person whom they feel safe with is not the person whom you thought they would like best. It's the same "law" as the one that dictates that jammy toast always falls face down on your best carpet - there's no real reason for it but it happens anyway! Do not lose heart. If you work with a dog they will love you - so if any of you want to be the dog's best friend, be sure that you take him for walks, you groom him, you feed him - you will find that a bond develops in time.
If your dog has been very close to the previous owner, it will take longer for him to feel secure. The usual payback is that you will eventually have a very devoted companion as he transfers his loyalties to you.
Be patient! Nothing comes for free and without effort. Try to imagine how your dog feels and respond accordingly. Learn to read the signs ("I'm hungry that's why I'm holding my bowl in my mouth!"- "I need to go out ~ my eyes are crossed with the effort not to disgrace myself on your carpet!") Life will become easier when you can.
Please rescue a dog today
Keep the "old" doggie favourites around if the dog has come with any - that old blanket might seem smelly to you and me but it's a comforter to the dog and help to make the move easier. You can use all the items you have bought for your new dog after he has settled in and when he will appreciate the shiny collar and the matching lead.
DAWGS staff will try to pass on as much information as they can about the food that the dog usually eats, etc. when you collect your dog. It helps if you can stick to these for a start. Dogs on new food often have minor problems with their digestive processes and, with all the implications of this (think about it), we would recommend you offer the same diet for a while at least. If you would like to offer your dog a different diet, change it gradually. You will be glad you did.
If you have any questions, queries or need advice, please feel free to contact the staff at the DAWG HOUSE. They will be pleased to help.