Our Process

Let us tell you how it all works so you can make an informed choice.

1 Application form

You can fill out our online adoption form if you have seen a dog you would like to rehome, or you would like us to contact the shelter to find out if they have any dogs that would be a good match.

Our application form helps us understand your lifestyle, home situation, experience with dogs and your expectations in adopting a rescue dog from Spain.

It is really important that you provide accurate and detailed information in your application as we will assess your suitability from the information you provide.

If your application is suitable, you will move on to the next step.

2 Initial conversation

Vikki, our rehoming specialist, will contact you to arrange a time to have an initial phone conversation. If this is successful Vikki would arrange a longer video interview.

3 Video interview

Vikki will organise a time suitable for you to have a more in depth video interview with you.

Vikki would use this time to clearly explain all factors relating to the dog in question. She would also ask you to expand on any personal circumstances that you disclosed on the application form. Any questions or concerns from you can also be addressed at this time.

In order to fully inform potential adopters of our process, explain what they could expect when adopting a dog and also to allow us to understand a potential adopter’s experience and suitability for each dog, the following subjects will be covered during interviews:

• Information about any specific dog that has been applied for, including health, behaviour, history (as far as we are aware)

• The potential adopters experience, lifestyle and their current dog/s

• What the adopter is looking for in a new dog.

• Housetraining, and dogs that may be new to living in homes

• Recall, leash training, harness and long line use

• How to set adopters up to succeed in managing the first few days/weeks/months and issues that may arise, including: - When and how to introduce new things, such as car travel, traffic, family etc - Safe spaces and “spoons” theory - Building trust

• Feeding

• Introducing cats and/or children

• Separation Anxiety

• Introducing new dogs to resident dogs

• Health, vaccines etc

• Transport, costs and paperwork

• Homecheck

• Ongoing support available

4 Home check

Nick will conduct a virtual home check via video chat.

During a home check, whether in person or virtual, Nick will discuss your application and check that your home and garden are safe and suitable. It is very important your garden is secure, and that a dog cannot jump over a fence (or escape under one!).

Nick will ask you additional questions or ask you to expand on the information you have already provided in your application. You can ask us any questions you have, we will always answer questions as fully as we can. If we don't have the information to hand, we will find out the answer after the home check and get back to you.

5 Finding a match

It is important for us that we match the right home to each dog.

Rescuing a dog is a commitment, for the lifetime of the dog, this can be a 20 year commitment. Owning a dog means having the time and resources to care for them, to meet their needs with physical exercise and mental stimulation through play and training.

Following your home check we will know if you are a good fit to adopt a rescue dog from Spain. At this point, we will either be able to proceed with the adoption of the dog you have applied for, or to speak with the shelter to match you with a dog in their care.

We will always seek as much information as we can from the shelter, and in turn, relay this to you. This includes any background information they are aware of, medical history known to the shelter, age (likely approximate and determined by a vet), size and temperament. It is important to remember that observations made by the shelter are do so in a shelter environment, many of the dogs in their care may not have lived in a home before.

6 ID and contracts

We need to check your ID to make sure you are who you say you are and live where you say you do. We will ask for one form of name ID (eg passport or driving licence) and one form of address ID. The ID we will accept is in line with the UK government website, you can find the list here.

Our partnership with Xea is on the agreement that adopters sign their contract that outlines the terms and condition of the adoption from them, including your responsibilities as an adopter.

Green Coast Adoptions also have a contract in place, so both will need to be completed in order for the adoption to be agreed.

Adoption fee

Our adoption fee is £490 and is to be paid to Green Coast Adoptions.

Part of this fee, £245, is to be paid when the adoption is confirmed. We then make a payment to the shelter for the adoption of the dog, as a result of this, adoption fees cannot be refunded. The remaining £245 is paid 2 weeks prior to travel.

Any credit balance we have is to sustain future adoptions and support adopters and dogs in the UK (rescue back up). This reduces our need to rely on ad hoc donations.

7 Transport to the UK

Typically, transport is 4-6 weeks from the adoption being confirmed. The transporter will calculate their route the week of travel.

We will notify the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency that your dog will be traveling to the UK. This involves updating their system with the dogs MircoChip number, passport number, the shelter they are travelling from and your details (name, address, telephone number and email address).

The dog’s MicroChip number will be assigned to you, using your personal details (name, address, telephone number and email address). We will also help with arranging Pet Insurance.

8 What happens next?

Once you have the adopted dog at home, it’s important that we support you through the coming weeks and months. It can take a rescue dog some time to settle into their new environment and we will be on hand to help guide you through the inevitable bumps in the road. This will take patience and commitment on your behalf but together we can make a success of these crucial first months.

We do ask that you do not take the dog to the vet until their booster is due, unless for emergencies. We ask you do this so that the dog is not overwhelmed with new experiences all at once, giving the dog the best chance of success! The Shelter we work with are very eager to confirm the dogs well being on their arrival in the UK so we will be keeping in touch with you and sending updates to the Shelter. A copy of the PetTrac confirmation will also be sent to the Shelter to confirm the dogs whereabouts.