Adoption Process

First the hard bit: find one you like!

All of the animals for adoption have a laminated pen-portrait on their pen/cage. This tells you the breed/type; are they neutered; age and sex. It also tells you what HULA knows about the animal.

If the animal was given-up for adoption a fairly detailed history should be available. Of course, it will only be as accurate as the information given to us by the previous owners!

Strays’ details are, obviously, more sketchy. Ages will be approximate. Some animals’ neutered/intact status may not be known. Character details can only be based on what we have seen.

The dogs will all have handwritten notes hanging on their pens. These are observations made by the walkers. Volunteers see the dogs interact with other dogs while walking and can update details daily.

REMEMBER: you are not seeing the animal at its best in the noisy, stressful kennel environment, so.....

Talk to a member of staff

The staff will be able to fill in details about the relevant animal. Do listen! They will be able to let you know more about the animal's history; suitability to be homed with other pets and children.

Don’t let your enthusiasm blind you to truths. A young dog or cat could potentially be with you for 12 years. If the animal has the potential to be destructive; or run up big vets’ bills; disrupt your lifestyle....are you ready for that? If yes.......

Complete an application form

We need a great deal of information.

Again: be realistic. We’ve all underestimated our alcohol intake for our GP(!); but if your circumstances mean the pet will be alone for hours, say so. We want to match the pet to the most suitable home; so that the animal is not returned due to avoidable circumstances.

Telephone on the following Wednesday between 1-3pm

The onus is on the prospective adopter to call and ask if their application has been approved. HULA will not call you. If you cannot call on Wednesday, please put a note on the application form, otherwise we will assume you are no longer interested!

Why was my application unsuccessful?

As we’ve said above: we want to match the pet to the most suitable home; so that the animal is not returned due to avoidable circumstances.

So, it may be that we felt that the time the animal may be left alone was not really going to work.

Or young children may be a factor.

It might just be that several applications were made for the same animal, and someone else’s circumstances fitted the bill a bit better.
An unsuccessful application in no way suggests that we think you would be a bad pet owner. Just that, in this case, we felt it wouldn’t work. It shouldn’t deter you from applying for a different animal on another occasion. If your application is successful...

Arrange introductions

We like to arrange a minimum of 3 introductions.

This allows you and your family/other pets to meet the prospective addition to your household.

You will be able to handle/walk/play with your chosen pet. Will they get on with your other dog etc?

At this point both you and/or HULA can decide that this isn’t likely to be successful, and the adoption process will stop. This is way preferable to the animal being returned, with all the accompanying stress and upset!

If introductions go well.....

We may need to come and visit your home, this is a just a simple check to make sure that you are prepared and your house is suitable for your new pet and is also an opportunity for you to chat through any concerns or questions you may have in more detail.

Arrange to collect!

Sort out a convenient date. Do you need to pet-proof the house or garden first etc? Arrange to buy bedding/ toys. It’s like having a baby! We may need to neuter the dogs prior to adoption.

Come and pay the adoption fees/donation. More details of these can be obtained from the Sanctuary.

Pets come microchipped; vet-checked; vaccinated and insured. It’s well worth continuing with an insurance plan. If the animal was neutered while at HULA, an additional £50 is added the adoption donation. HULA offers a free of charge session at HULA with a local dog-trainer. Your adoption pack will contain details of this and much more useful information.