All rescues have adoption guidelines and regularly we hear that a potentially good home has been rejected because an adopter has young children for example.
Here at GSRE, we use the guidelines of Common Sense. Each home is assessed on its own merits and all adopters are considered regardless of age.
Having applied to adopt one of our many beautiful dogs, you will initially be contacted by one of our Screeners who will run through your information and the process, and where possible obtain a reference from your vet. The Screener will then arrange for one of our many experienced Volunteers to visit your home to meet your family (including any other pets) and check the environment is suitable for an additional member to join your family.
(If you live in rented premises your application cannot be processed until the Screener has sight of permission from your landlord to have a dog/dogs at the premises so please have this ready to send on.)
Our Home Checker will contact you to arrange a mutually suitable time to visit, and once the home check has been completed the report will be sent to your Coordinator who will contact you to discuss which dogs you may be interested in adopting and their suitability to your home and family.
Please note that whilst you may be interested in a specific dog, applications are processed on the basis of a suitable dog that is available once the home check process has been completed. We cannot reserve dogs so the dog you were originally interested in may no longer be available.
Unlike many breed specific rescues. the majority of our dogs are in our care, either in foster homes or approved commercial kennels we use around the country, so meeting the dogs is an easy process. You will also have the confidence of knowing that your new family member will have been microchipped, vaccinated and where possible neutered.
If a dog has come in with no vaccination record it is necessary for us to start the course from scratch. which involves an initial vaccination followed by a second vaccination 2-4 weeks later depending on where the dog is located. This does mean you may need to return to our vets for the second vaccination.
We neuter all male dogs that are in our care as a matter of course (unless very young or medically not viable) but with females it is not always possible as we may not know their season history (it is safest to neuter a bitch mid way between seasons).
We obviously cannot microchip, vaccinate or neuter dogs that come straight from their home to meet you, but will discuss and work with you to ensure your new dog receives any care that has been missed by their previous owner.
Your new family member will come to you with 5 weeks free insurance, regardless of age (and subject to terms and conditions of course) which will be activated for you once you have adopted your new family member and you have confirmed acceptance. This is thanks to our new partnership with Agria Pet Insurance which is one of the few insurance companies that offers Lifetime Cover for older dogs. Insurance can be continued with Agria after the initial free period, but there is no obligation.
GSRE will be with you every step of the way throughout the adoption process, and once you have adopted from us, it does not end there! Your Home Checker will visit you once your new family member has settled in to complete a Follow Up visit to check all is well, and of course we are always there to give advice and answer any questions. Joining our Facebook group is a great way of sharing experiences and seeking help, as is joining one of the many Walk Groups around the country. Check out the links on the right for more information.