Rehoming a dog or puppy
I’d like to rehome a dog – what do I need to do?
How long does it take to rehome a dog?
I’d like a specific breed of dog – can you contact me when you have it?
I’m interested in rehoming a puppy – do you have any available?
How much does it cost to rehome a dog?
View our dogs looking for homes
I’d like to rehome a dog – what do I need to do?
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We are always pleased when people come to offer a new home to one of our dogs. Our Godmanchester Rehoming Centre is the only one of our centres to rehome dogs, and is open every day (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day) from 10.00am until 4.00pm. You don’t need an appointment to come and visit the kennels, but we do advise that you visit us before 3.00pm if you are enquiring about one of our dogs.
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The first step is to complete one of our Homefinder Forms so that we know a little bit about your lifestyle, and we like to meet the whole family. You can download a dog homefinder form and bring it with you, or complete one when you visit the centre.
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The next step is to have a look at the dogs! You’ll find brief information on the front of each kennel to help you find the most suitable match. If you see a dog you like, make a note of its name and reference number. All our dogs for rehoming can also be seen here on our website and are updated every 30 minutes.
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A member of staff will then go through your chosen dog’s character assessment and outline its medical history. We may ask you further questions at this point, to make sure we’ve found a good match for both parties.
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If you and the dog you have chosen are compatible then you may take him/her for a walk. As security we ask for your car keys and two forms of identification, one of which should contain your current address.
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After walking, if you feel the dog is right for you, we will reserve him/her for 48 hours while you arrange for the rest of the family, including children and existing dogs, to meet if they have not already done so.
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If you rent your home we ask for written consent from your landlord, council or housing association stating that they’re happy for you to have a pet on the premises. If this is noted on your tenancy agreement we are happy to accept a copy of this.
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We will then either arrange to visit your home or invite you back to the Centre for an in-depth chat, in order to ensure that the dog is going to the right home. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions that you may have. If all goes well we will then make you an appointment for you to take the dog home.
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If you are unsuccessful on your first trip, or feel that the dog you have walked is not for you, don’t give up hope! We get around 40 dogs brought into the Centre every week, so it’s worth visiting us or our website as often as you can to find your new companion. We will keep your Homefinder Form on file for two months.
How long does it take to rehome a dog?
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The longest part of the process is finding a dog that is suitable for your home. Once you have found your ideal canine companion we aim to get them home with you within the week. In the meantime, you are welcome to come along and take your new friend for a walk every day to get to know him or her better!
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If you are moving, changing jobs or going on holiday within two months we ask that you come back after this time to look for a dog. This way both you and the dog will be more settled and relaxed. Most boarding kennels will not accept a rescue dog for 6-8 weeks after homing because of the increased risk of kennel cough.
I’d like a specific breed of dog – can you contact me when you get one in?
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Unfortunately we do not have the resources to contact people on an individual basis; you will need to visit us or keep checking our rehoming pages.
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If you are looking for a specific breed of dog you could also try breed rescue via The Kennel Club on 0870 606 6750.
I’m interested in rehoming a puppy – do you have any available?
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We do sometimes have puppies available and advise that you visit us or telephone us to find out. The majority of puppies we have that are looking for homes are crossbreeds.
How much does it cost to rehome a dog?
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The rehoming fee is £120 for a dog and £150 for a puppy. Your new pet will be microchipped, and if old enough will have been neutered.
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Adult dogs will be up-to-date with their vaccinations, flea and worming treatments, while puppies will be as far through their treatment as their age allows. Any outstanding treatments will need to be carried out by your own vet.
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Every animal will also receive four weeks complimentary pet insurance through Pet Plan.
For further information on rehoming or to enquire about a specific dog, please contact a member of our Dog Welfare Team on 0844 248 8181 or by emailing dogenquiries@woodgreen.org.uk
You can find out more about dogs by visiting our dog advice section.