Second Chance Dog Rescue
ADOPTING A DOG FROM
SECOND CHANCE DOG RESCUE
Why Adopt?
Adopting a dog is a truly special way to welcome a new companion into your life. Whether you are drawn to a playful puppy, an adult dog, or a golden oldie, every rescue dog has so much to offer in return for the stability, love, and kindness you provide.
Many of our dogs have experienced neglect, trauma, injury, or abandonment before coming into rescue. Despite this, their capacity to trust and love again is remarkable. That said, it's important to remember that trust is rarely built overnight, especially for adult dogs. They need time, patience and gentle reassurance as they adjust to a completely new way of life.
By providing consistent routines, positive reinforcement and a calm, safe space, you will help your dog learn they are finally safe and no longer need to fend for themselves. Watching their transformation unfold and building a bond of trust and affection is one of the most rewarding parts of adopting a rescue dog.
Puppies, while undeniably adorable, also come with their own challenges. All puppies require proper training, early socialisation and time to explore and understand their new environment. With the right guidance, they will grow into confident, affectionate, and well-balanced adult dogs.
What is the Process?
At Second Chance Dog Rescue, we do everything we can to ensure you are matched with the right dog and fully prepared for their arrival.
1. Applying for a Dog
Bringing a dog into your home is a big decision that affects your entire household. It's vital to think carefully about how this change will impact your daily life.
You can enquire about adoption or specific dogs by:
• Messaging our Adoption Team on Facebook
• Contacting us by email via our website
• Reaching out on Instagram, X, or TikTok.
Once you enquire, you will be sent our ‘Deciding to Get a Dog’ guide to read before submitting an application - you can download it now by Clicking Here.
You will also receive either our UK or Overseas Adoption Information Pack, which includes an enquiry form. Once you return this completed form, your application can be considered for a homecheck.
If you already have a specific dog in mind, please let us know. If not, we are happy to suggest suitable dogs for you to consider once you’ve passed your homecheck.
Once we have reviewed your application and believe you are ready to move forward, we will refer you to our Homecheck Team to arrange your visit.
2. Home Check
The homecheck is a relaxed and informal visit; our chance to get to know you and better understand your home, family, and lifestyle. It also helps us assess the safety and suitability of the environment for a rescue dog. But don’t worry, it's usually just a good chat about dogs!
One of our volunteer homecheckers will:
• Visit your home
• Meet you and other household members
• Complete a homecheck questionnaire
• Take photos of the areas the dog will have access to.
Once the visit is complete, the homechecker sends their report to our team for review.
If anything needs addressing, such as low fencing or escape risks, we will provide guidance to help you meet our requirements.
Most applicants pass their homecheck and are then either offered their chosen dog or introduced to suitable matches. If, on rare occasions, an application cannot proceed, we will clearly explain the reasons why.
UK Dogs Process
3. Contract & Preparatory Reading
Once you’ve accepted a dog for adoption, we’ll send you:
• Your Adoption Contract
• Several helpful information guides.
These cover topics such as decompression, introducing your dog to their new home, settling in, behaviour expectations, and feeding advice. Please read these thoroughly, they’ll help set you and your dog up for success.
The contract outlines our mutual agreement and your responsibilities as an adopter. You’ll need to sign and return it, along with your adoption fee, either following a meet or before collection.
4. Meeting and Collecting your Dog
Once your adoption is confirmed, we will arrange a meet and/or collection date with you.
If adopting a dog who is travelling direct from overseas, you will collect your dog from our kennels near Newport, South Wales with easy access from the M4.
If adopting a dog already in UK kennels, we will arrange a meet and collection at the same location.
If your dog is in foster, we will help you and the foster family arrange a convenient time and place at or near the foster location.
We can also help arrange transport from the kennels if needed. Transport costs are quoted individually and covered by the adopter.
Overseas Dogs Process
3. Offer of Adoption & Travel Prep Payment
If you are offered a dog and wish to proceed, we will send you an Adoption Contract to sign and return, along with your Travel Prep payment (see below) which must be paid within 24 hours to reserve your dog and book their place on transport to the UK. The contract outlines our mutual agreement and your responsibilities as an adopter.
The Travel Prep fee covers:
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Pet passport
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Required vaccinations (DHPPi, Leptospirosis & Rabies)
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Rabies titre testing
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Microchipping
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Flea, tick & worm treatments
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Neutering (where applicable)
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Disease testing (Heartworm, Lyme, Ehrlichia Canis, Ehrlichia Ewingi, Anaplasma Phagocytophilum, Anaplasma Platys, Leishmaniasis, Babesiosis, and Brucellosis).
Dogs under 1 year old are not neutered unless you are otherwise advised. As per your Adoption Contract, neutering is your responsibility once your dog is at least 1 year old (or as advised by the rescue).
All Travel Prep payments are non-refundable.
We will also send you a number of important informational guides. These cover topics such as decompression, introducing your dog to their new home, settling in, behaviour expectations, and feeding advice. Please read these thoroughly, they’ll help set you and your dog up for success.
4. Travel & Quarantine Payment
The Travel payment (see below) is due at least 2 weeks before travel and covers:
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Quarantine before travel
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Pre-travel veterinary health check
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Transport from Bosnia or Romania to the UK
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48 hours of DEFRA standing time at Tonew Kennels, Wales.
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All Travel & Quarantine payments are non-refundable.
5. Travel & Collection
Your dog’s travel date will be confirmed at least 2 weeks prior.
Once confirmed, you will be added to a Messenger Travel Chat where we will share updates of your dog's journey and answer any questions you may have.
Collection will be from Tonew Kennels in Newport, South Wales. Please ensure you can collect on the day arranged in the travel chat.
If you need extra kennel days beyond the included 48 hours, you must request this through the rescue. The kennels charge a daily rate per dog (payable on collection).
Dogs will be groomed before collection for their comfort by the resident groomer at kennels, there is a small charge (payable on collection).
Please note: If a dog you applied for arrives in the UK before your adoption is finalised, the Overseas adoption fee will still apply to cover quarantine and travel costs.
How Much Does Adoption Cost?
Second Chance Dog Rescue is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation. We rely entirely on adoption fees, kind donations, sponsorship, and fundraising to cover the significant costs of rescue, including:
• Veterinary care
• Neutering
• Vaccinations
• Transport
• Disease testing
• Food and shelter
Our adoption fees range from £395 to £1,220 depending on the dog’s country of origin, age, whether they have been neutered, and any additional requirements. For full details of our current adoption fees Please Click Here
Joining the Second Chance Family
As an adopter, we will invite you to join our Second Chance Family page on Facebook.
The Family Page is a lovely place to share updates, photos, and stories about your dog with other adopters, fosterers, and the wider Second Chance community.
Your updates also mean a great deal to all of our team, and to the overseas rescuers who saved and cared for your dog, giving your dog their second chance and making all of this possible.
We will also be grateful if you would consider joining our 'Friends of Second Chance' club and donating a small amount each month to help fund our ongoing work.
Aftercare, Advice and Support
We will also invite you to join our Aftercare Advice and Support page on Facebook. Our Aftercare Support and Advice Page is an important part of the lifelong support we provide to all Second Chance adopters and fosters.
Every post is responded to by our Behaviourist or Dog Trainer and our fellow adopters also share their experiences and offer their support.
If needed, we can also offer 1-to-1 support via Messenger or WhatsApp, giving you direct contact with our Aftercare Team.
We are here for you throughout your dog's life, whatever support you may need, whenever you need it.
For more information or advice on adopting, please join our Facebook group by clicking the paw below or email us at...
secondchanceadoptionsenquiries@gmail.com
