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 dog home, and beyond.

Some 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.

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. To enable the check, we will ask for proof of ID as a security check.

(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 your family 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. We may also suggest that the dog spend some time at your home to see how they fit in with your family

4.        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.

 

PLEASE BEAR THE FOLLOWING IN MIND:

• Some dogs 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.) We will endeavour to assist whenever possible.
• 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.    Alfie’s Dog Rescue do not accept responsibility for any damage caused by your dog.    Nor do Alfie’s Dog Rescue 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.
• 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. If any are known, they will be disclosed to you.
• 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.
• We suggest that you insure your dog.
• 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

  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.

  Our bank details are as follows:

  Bank:             Sort code:           40-34-18

                        Account:             14518551

                        Account Name: Alfies Dog Rescue

   

  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 dog BUT we do need a degree of flexibility from you.  We ask our foster carers to persevere.   Issues will occur and we will work with you to get through them.

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 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 remove the dog to alternative foster and re-advertise the dog for adoption.

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 speak 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.

In respect of fosters with children we ask that the following guidelines are adhered to in ensuring that introductions and living together are kept as stress free as possible.

 

• Dogs must be provided with a safe area away from children and other dogs. This can be another room with a door or safety gate or a crate where the dog can be kept separate.
• Any introduction to children must be made gradually and with supervision by a responsible adult over 18 years.
• Dogs must always be supervised when with children and never left unattended.
• Dogs must be supervised when playing with toys if children are present.
• Dogs must not be allowed to have face to face contact with children or be allowed to lick their faces.
• The foster is also responsible for the interaction of the dog and any children visiting the foster home.
• Dog faeces need to be picked up on a regular basis and disposed of in an appropriate manner and the area disinfected thoroughly.
• Dog’s water and food bowls are to be kept away from children and dogs are to be fed away from the children.
• Dogs are to be kept away from the children when they are eating and out from the kitchen whilst food is being prepared.

I have read and agree to carry out these additional guidelines as required by Alfie’s Dog Rescue.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE READ ALFIE’S DOG RESCUE TERMS & CONDITIONS PRIOR TO APPLYING TO ADOPT OR FOSTER A DOG FROM ALFIE’S DOG RESCUE.

THE TERMS & CONDITIONS MUST BE RETURNED TO US AND BE SIGNED AT THE END OF TERMS & CONDITIONS AND APPLICATION FORM.  THIS IS TO CONFIRM THAT YOU HAVE READ AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE CONTENT.

Animal Experience

IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO FOSTER …  PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING

Foster homes need to be safe for young children.  Most of our rescue dogs are from unknown backgrounds and we cannot guaranteed how they will behave in a home environment.  Due to this we will be unable to accept foster applications from people with children under the age of 12 due to safety reasons.  You will however still be considered to adopt. 

As foster carers you must NEVER LEAVE THE DOG ALONE WITH A CHILD.  Children must be taught to be respectful of dogs and not to disturb them when eating or sleeping. 

The dog must not be allowed to sleep with or have access to the children at night time.

Rescue dogs are not housetrained when they arrive.  You must ensure that all of the dog’s waste is cleared regularly from both the house and the garden     

You must be able to provide a safe and secure space for your foster dog.

If you are happy with the above and feel that you can adhere to what we ask, please complete the following;

In accordance with Data Protection Act 1998, I agreed that Alfie’s Dog Rescue may hold and use personal information about me.  This information will be held securely and only accessed by authorised personnel. 

By returning this form you consent to our processing your sensitive data (such as data relating to your heath or criminal convictions) for the above purposes.  You have the right to ask for a copy of your information and to correct any inaccuracies.  We may monitor or record communications for training and evidential purposes.  We never disclose your information to third parties without your prior consent.

I also agreed that my information may be passed to Agria for insurance purposes which is activated at the time of adoption.