Our Adoption Policy and Information

Registered Charity No.232240

The Newcastle & North Northumberland Branch of the RSPCA is an independently registered charity. This means that, despite public perception, we are not directly funded by RSPCA Headquarters, and as we receive no government funding or lottery grants, all work we do in the local area is supported and continued by direct donations to the Newcastle & North Northumberland Branch, and by any fund raising that we may do.
Last year the Branch spent over a quarter of a million pounds on animal welfare. This means that we need to raise over £750 per day to carry on with our work and consequently at times funds can be extremely limited.

We support RSPCA Inspectors by boarding animals subject to a cruelty case, or which may have been in unpleasant and stressful situations, until new homes can be found. These animals often require training and a lot of patience and understanding in order for them to settle in to a new home and forget about their unpleasant past life. Some will never be the "perfect pet", but will nevertheless give years of love and companionship.
Sadly we do not have facilities or space to take unwanted animals from members of the public.

We are not a Petshop! We do not sell goods that can be returned if they are the wrong colour or do not fit properly! We have vast experience of the reasons why animals are brought in to us for rehoming and we try hard to find a good "match" of people with animals so that they have a long and happy relationship and the animal doesn't need to come back to us. To this end, potential adopters are subject to an interview and home visit before adoption, and a follow up visit after some time to ensure that all is well. We get it right over 90% of the time, but we ask that you think long and hard before offering a home to one of our animals.


Health

On, before or shortly after admittance, animals are given a health check by our Consultant Veterinary Surgeon and experienced kennel staff.
Animals will be wormed and vaccinated and if any health problems are identified at this time, or during its stay with us, the animal will receive treatment from our Consultant Veterinary Surgeon,

Any animal which has received treatment whilst in our care will be cleared for rehoming by our Consultant Veterinary Surgeon before being put up for adoption.
Kennel staff will discuss any treatment or recognised medical condition with prospective adopters

We aim to identify all health problems, but are unable to guarantee an animal's health, as it is not always possible to identify all potential problems. Sometimes symptoms do not appear until after an animal has been adopted. The stress of moving into a new home environment may trigger a dormant condition. Certain problems may be genetic and without knowledge of the parentage there will be no reason to suspect possible future health problems.

We are unable to accept responsibility for any health problem which develops after the animal has left the shelter.
We strongly advise all adopters to arrange appropriate insurance cover thereafter.Please insure your pet. Very often unexpected vets bill can run into hundreds or thousands of pounds,
Don't leave your pets health to chance, because, yes! it could happen to YOU! Click here for information

We neuter all cats, dogs and male rabbits before adoption, but there may be exceptions, such as animals that are too young. In these instances you will be will be issued with a neutering voucher. This serves as payment when the time comes to neuter your pet.


Behaviour

Some animals come to us with a history from their previous owner and we accept this information as accurate. About some of our animals we have no information. We review the behaviour of all animals during their stay with us, but are unable to guarantee how an animal may behave once in your domestic environment, which is obviously very different from the kennel situation they live in whilst with us.

We will help you choose the right pet for your circumstances based on our knowledge and experience of the animal. If we feel the animal you are interested in is not right for your situation, we will not allow you to adopt it, but will discuss it with a view to identifying another more suitable animal. This will only ever be done with the animal's best interests in mind.

We will offer telephone advice and support after adoption, if requested.

We will visit after adoption to ensure all is well.


Homing

There are some animals at the kennels which are not for adoption. Some might not be RSPCA animals, or might be in isolation or under veterinary treatment.
Animals which are not available for adoption are generally in non-public buildings or behind closed doors, but may still be able to be seen.

We are often asked to put names on a waiting list, especially for kittens or puppies. We do not have the resources to keep and monitor lists especially for those animals which can be homed within minutes of being put up for adoption. It is simply a case of being in the right place at the right time. However, we might keep your name if you wanted, for example, to home an ancient grumpy animal that nobody else wants!

In particular, our general policy is not to home a dog in any household that has a child under the age of 5 or that does not have an enclosed garden or yard

Kennel Staff

The staff are there to care for the animals and to offer a service to potential adopters and visitors. They have knowledge and experience of the animals in their care and want to see them homed, but if they advise against a specific animal, it is in the genuine belief that you do not have the right environment for that animal. They will help you select a pet which is more suited to your situation.

Please bear in mind that RSPCA animals in this area are cared for in private boarding kennels, whose owners and staff act as representatives of the local RSPCA Branch, and we are very grateful for the work they do on our behalf.
Also our Home Visitor Team and Dog Walkers are all dedicated volunteers, working with whatever time they can spare for the good of RSPCA animals.
Without people like this we could not function - They are invaluable.


Returns and Refunds

Any animal may be returned if you feel you have made the wrong decision or you can no longer home the animal due to a change in circumstances. When you adopted the animal, you will have paid an adoption fee. Adoption fees are only refunded under exceptional circumstances. In certain circumstances, however, the Rehoming Co-ordinator may allow adoption of another animal without a further adoption fee.


Putting Animals to Sleep

This is only done for the following reasons:
The animal has a serious health problem, causing suffering and distress or a condition from which recovery is not possible.
The animal has profound behavioural problems which result in aggression and may cause injury, either to itself, other animals or people.
We Do Not put animals to sleep simply because they do not have a home. There is no "Time Limit" on any animal.
Provided an animal is healthy and coping with the environment, it will be kept until rehomed, or will be transferred to another RSPCA shelter.

RSPCA EMERGENCY & CRUELTY 24 HOUR HOTLINE 0300 1234 999