Tens of thousands of mature dogs are abandoned or put up for re-homing in the UK every year. Adopting an adult dog from a reputable canine charity or shelter/rescue centre can be hugely rewarding and gives a second chance to a deserving pet to become part of a loving household. Breeders may also look to sell adults that are no longer being used for breeding or showing.

The advantages of re-homing an adult dog

• Adult dogs will tend to be calmer, more relaxed, with a better-established routine and personality than a young puppy, although this depends on the breed, age and life experiences.
• In some cases an adult dog will be fully house-trained and understand basic commands. Remember that this is not always the case, especially if the dog’s background is unknown. It is very likely that some degree of retraining will be necessary as they get used to their new surroundings. In some cases you need to start from scratch.
• A reputable re-homing charity will ensure that your dog has had a thorough medical check, is neutered, vaccinated, wormed and has had any treatment necessary before re-homing.
• In some cases, the dog's history will be known, so the shelter/rescue centre can help you select a pet that will suit your home and lifestyle. The centre may also know, or may have tested, whether the dog is good with children, other dogs or cats. In general, re-homing organisations will be as anxious as you are to make the right match, and will never try to offload a problem animal.
• Leading charities can offer valuable support and advice throughout your dog's life and ask that the dog be returned to them in the event of any problems that mean you can no longer take care of the dog.
• With so many dogs available for re-homing you're almost certain to find a pet that's just right for you, from pure breed to mongrel, although you may need to wait for the right dog to come along.
• Of course, you'll have the enormous satisfaction of knowing that you've been responsible for giving your dog a second chance.

Cautionary tales

Older dogs re-homed through a reputable organisation make wonderful pets, but there are a few important points to remember.

• You must be honest and comprehensive when describing your lifestyle and living arrangements. A dog that enjoys a lot of exercise must be walked appropriately, and this is now a legal requirement.
• Older dogs may have established behaviour patterns that are extremely difficult to change. It may take a lot of time before your dog settles into his/her new life with you. For example, house training an adult dog can be extremely challenging.
• Sometimes a dog's full medical history may not be known, especially if abandoned. Your dog should have had a complete veterinary check-up before re-homing, be neutered, vaccinated and treated for parasites.
• If a dog has been neglected or treated badly, he or she may carry some ‘emotional baggage’ - e.g. mistrust of strangers, fear of certain types of people - and will need patience and a commitment to training to re-establish trust. These problems can sometimes require specific behavioural treatment to correct.
• If you're already a dog owner, it's worth noting that introducing a new adult dog may cause conflict between dogs if not handled correctly. Introducing a puppy can sometimes be easier.
• If you're re-homing a pedigree dog from a breeder, remember that they have probably been used for breeding or showing and may have developed particular behaviour patterns.

Where to adopt

There are hundreds of re-homing organisations across the country, from national charities to local shelters and kennels. You'll find plenty of options online or in your telephone directory. Remember that even the larger organisations prefer that you live in the immediate area, and don't offer national directories. Do not expect to visit and take a dog home the same day. You must consider your choice carefully and the charity must assess your suitability. To help your choice, arrange to visit the centre, and check out their facilities and the general condition of the animals under care. The shelter/rescue centre should be clean, not smell, and the staff should have time to discuss your options with you. Although you may want to take a dog away from an unsuitable centre you may be taking on more problems than you expect. You should be expected to provide details about your home and lifestyle and maybe asked to bring an existing dog into the centre to see if he/she gets on with the potential new addition. Some charities also ask for a donation towards the dog’s care whilst with them as a sign of your commitment and may contact you a few weeks after re-homing to check all is going well. Most breeds have a re-homing organisation. The Kennel Club can direct you to those involved.

Larger charities in the UK and ROI include;
Dogs Trust www.dogstrust.org.uk
The Blue Cross www.bluecross.org.uk
The RSPCA www.rspca.org.uk
www.scottishspca.org
Battersea Dogs' and Cats' Home www.dogshome.org
The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals www.dspca.ie