Who’s joining your family?

DOPTING A dog i s e x c e p t i o n - ally rewarding, giving an aband o n e d d o g a second chance and a happy life. Charities such as All Dogs Matter do their best to match each dog with their perfect forever home. All our dogs are vet-checked, vaccinated, neutered/spayed, micro-chipped, defleaed and wormed prior to rehoming. We believe in neutering, as there are far too many unwanted dogs and giving them a forever home is more important than breeding new puppies. We give new owners as much background information as possible and our aim is to match each dog with the new home that is most suited to their needs. We do not generally rehome to homes with children aged eight years and younger.

Dogs and puppies are sadly being sold and exchanged online in the same way you would a second-hand handbag or pair of trainers. When they become too big, too old or too difficult to manage, these poor dogs are put into our care, through no fault of their own.

Husky type dogs are very fashionable now, after featuring in prominent films/TV programmes. Sadly most people cannot see past the bright eyes and fluffy coat but these are working dogs and they require hours of exercise, plus lots of mental stimulation.

A dog is a 10-to-15-year commitment andwhateverhappens,abandonment is not an option. You should have a lifelong plan for the new member of your family. Do you have permission to keep a dog in your property? Do you work long hours? Are you thinking of having a baby or going on a long holiday? We have had dogs left with us for these very reasons.

Some dogs we meet have been abandoned or abused and require a special level of care to rehabilitate them. But you would be surprised what a bit of chicken soup and some TLC can do for a nervous dog.

Whether your dog has had the best or worst start to life, there are simple ways to settle them in at home. Home comforts such as a bed and safe place of their own, a routine for feeding and sleeping, regular exercise, stroking or massages to relax them or even a special pheromone plug-in diffuser can help to reduce signs of stress.

If you are looking for a particular type of dog, it is still worth contacting your local rescue charity. You might have to wait a little longer for your ideal pet, but there is such a variety of dogs coming in through rescues now, it is always worth a visit before considering buying one. If you do decide to buy, always visit a registered Kennel Club breeder.

We understand that certain breeds are more desirable than others, with cute crossbreeds flooding the Internet but most of these dogs come from backyard breeders or puppy farms, where poor adult dogs are repeatedly bred from for a quick sale. And it is not all about looks. All dogs are individuals but different breeds will have different character traits. If you are interested in a particular breed, research it thoroughly. You may be together for 10 to 15 years — so make sure you are the perfect match