Rescue cats and dogs

Rescue me

Thousands of stray and abandoned animals are looked after by charitable organisations, which strive to place them in new homes. Keen as they are to find owners, you’ll have to convince them that you’re the right person for the job.

It’s essential that you think long and hard about becoming the owner of a pet, because if you take on a puppy or a kitten you’re making a potential 15-20 year commitment. Check that the rescue centre you’re planning to get it from is reputable and registered with the Charity Commission.

The Charity Commission exists to ensure that charities operate ‘for the public benefit and independently of government or commercial interests’. Animal rescue centres vary in the way that they’re set up, so it’s worth going along to the ones in your area that deal with the type of animal you’re interested in and having an initial chat. Remember, reputable ones will want to know a fair amount about you and your home before letting you take one of their animals away.

Here kitty, kitty

With up to 7,000 cats in their care at any one time, your local branch or adoption centre of Cats Protection is a good place to start if you’re interested in a feline companion. On arrival, you’ll be asked to fill in a questionnaire and they’ll have a chat to find out about you and discover what type of cat you’re looking for. You can then visit the cats and talk about their personalities. You won’t be able to take a cat away with you on this visit, as they’ll want to carry out a home visit to make sure they can find a cat that fits your circumstances.

Although there is no purchase price for a Cats Protection cat, the costs they incur for each animal can be in excess of £150, so donations are greatly appreciated. Your money will go towards funding services like their national helpline, available for you to call for advice after you take your cat home.

Finding Fido

Although The Dogs Trust takes care of more than 12,000 dogs every year, that’s a fraction of the 112,000 found abandoned yearly, which is why they’re so keen to ensure you’re certain about taking on an animal. They help you make a shortlist of dogs that match your lifestyle, before you get to know the one you would like to take home with you.

Before this can happen, they will visit you to check that your house and garden are ready for the dog’s arrival, as well as giving you advice on how to make your new pet welcome. The Dogs Trust also continues to offer you the benefit of their experience and support throughout your dog’s life.

The future’s bright

The Blue Cross is a UK pet’s charity that’s been going for over a hundred years and has cats, dogs and small animals available for adoption. They are vaccinated, microchipped and wormed, and undergo a general health check.

The Blue Cross will also have assessed the animal, and if necessary, put it through training and socialisation work, so it is ready to meet potential owners. Once the pet is in your care, you’ll want to continue to look after it in the best possible way. Direct Line offers a range of pet insurance options to help you cope with a variety of accidents, injuries and illnesses, leaving you to relax and enjoy life with your furry friend.

Related information:

New laws for animal welfare – new laws brought in by DEFRA in 2007 affect how you must treat your pets

Buying a pet as a present – you may be in no doubt that the animal will be loved, but will the new owner be able to cope with the costs of owning a cat or dog – read our checklist on what should be considered

Understanding pet insurance – if you’ve never owned a dog or cat before, you will find our guide to the ins and outs of pet insurance helpful