Information for Adopters

Before deciding to go ahead with an adoption of any of our animals you may wish to read some of the following documents:

rspca-reading.ctc-aspire.co.uk/microsite/336/file/are_you_ready_leaflet_dogs.-314.pdf 

Equipment - when you adopt an animal from us you will be provided with all the items that the animal was surrendered with. In some cases where an animal comes into care with everything it needs e.g. food bowls, flea treatments, food, bedding and identity tags etc. In many cases however animals come into care with nothing so you will be required to provide the essential equipment needed to care for the animal.

Home Visits- home visits must be carried out before the adoption can be completed and we work to carry out this procedure at the earliest opportunity. When an adoption takes place out of area there may be a slight delay in finalising the home visit because we work in partnership with other branches' volunteers. Once we have passed your details across to the home checker in your region they will contact you directly and arrange to visit your home. Home visits are not designed to 'catch you out' but to ensure the animal has a good life after it leaves our care. A follow up check is made 6 weeks after adoption for all dogs.

Neutering - it is branch policy that all animals in our care are neutered before being adopted.

Vaccinations - it is branch policy that all animals in our care receive the full complement of standard vaccinations before being adopted.

Microchipping - where required all cats, dogs and rabbits are microchipped before leaving our care. In order to reunite lost pets with their rightful owners it is VITAL that owner contact details are kept up to date with the microchipping company in event of the following;

  • a change of residential address
  • changing mobile telephone numbers

Pedigree Certificates- should the animal you are adopting be a pedigree it is the policy of the RSPCA to not hand over the certificates when an adoption takes place. The reason for this is that all animals are considered of equal status and treated accordingly.

Adoption Fees- please find below the current minimum fee rates for the animal we re-home. These rates are intended as a guide and if you wish to donate a larger sum we would be more than grateful.

  • Cats £70 or £120 for two
  • Kittens £80
  • Dogs £160 - regardless of size, breed, sex & background
  • Guinea Pigs £20 each
  • Rabbits £50 per rabbit