We are delighted that you are considering adopting or fostering through Alfie’s Dog Rescue (Alfie’s) and we will work with you every step of the way to try and find you the dog that you are looking for.

We ask that you read through this documentation very carefully – we want you to be happy from the start, through to when you take your new fur baby home, and beyond.

Most of our dogs have not come from home environments which makes assessing their temperament in the circumstances difficult. We will give you as much information as possible to help you decide on an individual dogs suitability for your family.

 

So, what do you do now/what happens next?

1.       Complete the application form.

• (if you’d rather do this manually, please do so but ensure that it is entire and signed.  Please post to:
  • 31 Commercial Street, Nantymoel, Bridgend CF32 7NW)

It would really help us if the form could provide as much detail as possible.

2.       Once we have received your completed application form, subject to you meeting our criteria and agreeing on a suitable dog for you we will arrange for a Home Check to be carried out. 

 

(These checks are carried out by a team of independent volunteers.  The homechecker will contact you directly to arrange the appointment.  We have no control over the length of time this takes but we do appreciate your patience whilst this is arranged.)

 

3.       Once you have passed your homecheck you will be invited to meet your dog.   We like our adopters to meet their potential new dog at least twice so please bear the geography in mind when making your choice.  You will be expected to spend time with the dog in their foster environment but also to walk him/her. 

 

4.       Once you have met the chosen dog a couple of times – these visits must include all family members and resident dogs, if applicable, – you will be asked to pay a NON REFUNDABLE £100 deposit.  When these funds are in our account the dog you have chosen will no longer be available for meet and greets from other interested parties.  Nor will he/she be advertised.   However, we reserve the right to withdraw the application at any time if we believe that the information provided is not correct or issues arise during the process.

 

5.       The balance of the adoption donation must be paid within 14 days and prior to the dog’s collection.

 

PLEASE BEAR THE FOLLOWING IN MIND:

• Some dogs (typically puppies) are very popular and therefore receive a great deal of interest and multiple applications.  We take great pride in trying to match our dogs to the most suitable home. 
• We must make you aware that just because you pass a homecheck this does not guarantee adoption of the initial dog you fell in love with.  There are so many dogs needing loving homes and we will do our utmost to find one suitable for you.
• No applicant is permitted to meet a dog until such time as their application form is approved and a homecheck complete and passed. 
• The adoption process does not constitute a sale.  The adoption fee is a donation to our work and enables us to go forward and continue saving dogs – be it transport, food, vets bills, etc.

• You agree to allow follow-up checks – to ensure that your dog is happy and healthy.
• You are responsible for the dog’s behaviour at ALL times.
• You are responsible for all costs associated with feeding and grooming.  We will provide advice about what your dog is currently fed and how to take this forward.
• You will exercise your dog daily and provide mental stimulation for your dog.
• You are responsible for training your dog.  Alfie’s will have declared any issues in the advertisement or when your dog was met at their foster home and will assist you going forward.
• Should behavioural advice be required – you will seek this and are liable for associated costs.  (Please remember – many of our dogs have not had easy starts in life so may require a little bit more help than those born in a warm and cosy environment.)
• During the initial weeks your dog may be destructive – they may chew and have little accidents in the house that should have been performed in the garden.    We (Alfie’s) do not accept responsibility for any damage caused by your dog.    Nor do we (Alfie’s) accept liability for any injury case to any person or animal.
• You agree that your dog will not, under any circumstances, live outside.
• You agree that your dog will not be bred from – not under any circumstances.  (If your dog is too young to be neutered at the time of adoption then you agree to arrange this at an appropriate age for the dog – largely dependent on breed/size but in consultation with your vet).  This is at your cost and it is your responsibility to book this in with your vet.
• You agree that if, for whatever reason, you are not able to keep your dog then he/she MUST be returned to Alfie’s.  We will make arrangements for the dog to be relinquished and placed into care with one of our fosters.  This will be arranged as quickly as we possibly can but may not be instant as foster homes can be hard to find at short notice.  YOUR ADOPTION FEE WILL NOT BE RETURNED.
• We will not take a dog back within the first 14 days of adoption.
• You agree that microchip details will be kept up to date.  (The chip will have been changed into your name upon payment of the full adoption donation.)
• You will, prior to collection of your dog, be registered with a veterinary surgery.  You are responsible for all veterinary care including flea and worming treatment, vaccinations, health checks, etc.  Your dog will be familiar with vets having been seen at least once prior to adoption.
• Please remember – we have little history on many of our dogs so are unable to determine whether there may be any hereditary issues – illness or conditions.
• Alfie’s will, in the time the dog has been in foster, have a chance to assess him/her and will therefore describe the dog’s behaviour as best we can.  We cannot however be responsible for any problems that may arise post adoption.  We will always be on hand to provide help/advice but, if the need arises, you will be responsible for seeking further professional help – be it from a behaviourist, vet or trainer.
• If you do not own your property (i.e. live in rented accommodation) – you must provide Alfie’s with written approval from your Landlord stating that you are permitted to have a pet in the property.  This must be provided before a Homecheck can be arranged.
• Your dog must be insured for life.
• You are NOT permitted to sell, pass on or otherwise dispose of your dog.
• We do not advocate the use of shock or prong collars as incorrect use can cause permanent injuries to the dog.  We recommend seeking professional advice if required.

  Payment Terms

  To secure a dog, after a homecheck, a deposit of £100 is paid.

  The balance of the adoption fee (variable dependent on age of adoptee) must be paid in full and in cleared funds prior to the dog going home.

  We absolutely reserve the right to halt the adoption at any point of the process if we believe that the adoption is not in the best interest of the dog.  We will always keep you informed – at every stage of the process.

  Bank:             Sort code:           40-34-18

                        Account:             14518551

  Paypal:           team@alfiesdogrescue.co.uk

  
   

We simply could not do what we love without our wonderful team of fosters.

All foster families have our full support and backing.  We are available 24/7 to offer advice.

Foster carers must:

• Provide your foster dog with the following
  • A good quality food
  • Fresh water
  • Exercise
  • Company
  • Bedding

Many of our dogs will not have been in a home environment.  Many will be terrified of a television, of a fridge opening, the hoover will be completely alien to them.  No one dog will be the same – like us – they all have their own little quirks and foibles.  We will do our utmost to match you with a suitable pup BUT we do need a degree of flex from you.  We ask our foster carers to persevere.   Issues will occur and we will work with you to get through them.  We will not remove dogs from your care within the first 14 days – it will take the dog this length of time, if not longer, to settle.

During the dogs time in foster care he/she remains the legal property of Alfie’s.  You are not permitted to sell, give away or otherwise dispose of the dog while in foster.  Alfie’s may ask to remove the dog from your care at any time and for any reason.

• You agree that you are responsible for the dog’s behaviour and actions at all times whilst in your care.
• You agree that the dog must be exercised daily and this includes mental stimulation.
• You agree to train the dog.
• You agree that the dog must only be walked, controlled and cared for by a person aged 18 years or over at all times.
• You agree to provide Alfie’s with regular updates – including photographs/videos to allow us to advertise him/her for adoption.
• You will be available for ‘meet and greets’ at your home from potential adopters.
• You will be happy to make contact directly with potential adopters to describe the dog prior to them visiting.
• If you do not own your own property you will need to seek Landlord permission and Alfie’s will need a copy of this correspondence.
• You agree that you will not leave your foster dog/s for any longer than four hours.  If you are fostering a puppy then he/she should be left for no longer than two hours.
• You agree that you will be contactable at all reasonable times.
• If you decide to adopt your foster dog/s and if cleared funds are not received then Alfie’s reserve the right to terminate the adoption, remove the dog to alternative foster and re-advertise the dog for adoption.  YOUR DEPOSIT IS NON-REFUNDABLE.

Alfie’s will pass to you all information they have regards the dog and we will assist with any issues that may arise.

If, for whatever reason, you are no longer able to care for your foster dog you must advise Alfie’s immediately.  We will remove the dog as soon as we are able to make alternative arrangements.  Please bear in mind that this is unlikely to be immediately.

All veterinary costs remain the responsibility of Alfie’s but please chat to us prior to making any vet appointments.  Please ask the vet to send the invoice directly to us at team@alfiesdogrescue.co.uk

If, for whatever reason, one of your foster dogs is returned to Alfie’s , you will receive him/her back into your care – unless circumstances have changed so as to prevent this.

We will not allow a dog to be handed over to an adopter without approval from a member of the Alfie’s team. 

ALL adopters, regardless of relationship to Alfie’s, must complete an application form, have had a homecheck and completed the adoption handover form.