Dog Re-Homing/Dog Bites Policy - RBU

Part of the Hope4Paws UK & Spain Adoption Agreement

 

Hope4Paws UK & Spain – Dog Rehoming and Lifetime Support Policy

At Hope4Paws UK & Spain, our primary commitment is to the lifelong welfare, safety and wellbeing of every dog entrusted to our care. Rehoming a dog is not simply the completion of an adoption process; it is the beginning of a lifelong commitment to ensuring that each dog is given the opportunity to live in a safe, loving and appropriate home.

We recognise that circumstances can change and that adopters may, at times, experience difficulties that affect their ability to continue caring for their dog. These circumstances may include changes in health, family situations, housing, finances, employment, behavioural concerns, or other unforeseen events. We believe that seeking help is a responsible action and encourage adopters to contact us at the earliest opportunity if problems arise.

Our aim is always to work collaboratively with adopters to explore all reasonable options before considering rehoming. Many issues can be resolved through advice, support, behavioural guidance, management strategies, veterinary input, or practical assistance. Early communication allows us to provide the most effective support and increases the likelihood of achieving a positive outcome for both the dog and the adopter.

While Hope4Paws UK & Spain remains committed to supporting adopters throughout the lifetime of the dog, adopters should understand that legal ownership and day-to-day responsibility for the dog's care, welfare and management transfer to the adopter upon completion of the adoption process, unless otherwise specified in the adoption agreement. Adopters remain responsible for complying with all relevant animal welfare legislation and for ensuring the safety of the dog, other animals and members of the public.

This policy sets out the procedures to be followed when an adopter is no longer able to care for their dog, including the support available from the rescue, the responsibilities of the adopter, and the process for returning or rehoming a dog. It also provides guidance for situations involving behavioural concerns, health issues and emergencies where urgent decisions may be required.

Our shared objective is always to act in the best interests of the dog while ensuring that decisions are made responsibly, transparently and with due regard to animal welfare, public safety and legal obligations.

Our Commitment

Hope4Paws UK & Spain will:

• Provide reasonable advice and support to adopters experiencing difficulties.
• Consider all available options to help keep dogs safely and successfully in their homes where appropriate.
• Assist in assessing rehoming options where an adopter is unable to continue caring for a dog.
• Work to identify suitable alternative homes when rehoming is necessary and resources permit.
• Prioritise the welfare and safety of the dog in all decision-making.
• Maintain honest and open communication throughout the process.
• Treat adopters with respect and understanding while balancing the needs of the dog and the wider public.

Adopter Responsibilities

Adopters are expected to:

• Contact Hope4Paws UK & Spain as soon as difficulties arise.
• Provide accurate information regarding the dog's health, behaviour and circumstances.
• Follow professional veterinary and behavioural advice where appropriate.
• Continue to meet the dog's welfare needs while alternative arrangements are being explored.
• Not transfer ownership of the dog to another individual, rescue or organisation without prior agreement where required under the adoption contract.
• Cooperate with any assessment process necessary to determine the most appropriate outcome for the dog.

By working together, we aim to ensure that every dog receives the best possible chance of a safe, stable and happy future, even when circumstances change unexpectedly.

1. Full Rescue Back-Up Support

Hope4Paws UK & Spain provides lifetime Rescue Back-Up (RBU) support for every dog adopted through our rescue.

If you are no longer able to care for your dog, you must contact us as soon as possible so that we can discuss the circumstances and explore the available options. Early communication gives us the best opportunity to assist in finding a suitable outcome for the dog.

1. Rehoming the Dog

Where rehoming is required, we will work promptly and responsibly to identify and secure a suitable new home for the dog. This may include assessing potential adopters, advertising through our approved channels, conducting home checks where appropriate, and ensuring that any new placement is in the dog's best interests.

1. Arranging Removal and Transfer

Where necessary, and once the surrender and rehoming process has been agreed, we will take all reasonable steps to facilitate the dog's transfer to a suitable new home or approved placement as soon as practicable.

Important Information

Hope4Paws UK & Spain is a foster-based rescue and does not operate boarding kennels or provide emergency boarding facilities. As a result, we are not always able to offer immediate accommodation for dogs that require rehoming.

Until a suitable alternative home, foster placement or other agreed arrangement has been secured, the dog remains the legal responsibility of the adopter. During this period, the adopter is responsible for ensuring that the dog's welfare needs continue to be met in accordance with the adoption agreement and relevant animal welfare legislation.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the person responsible for a dog has a legal duty of care to ensure that the animal's welfare needs are met. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Providing a suitable environment and accommodation.
• Providing a suitable diet and access to fresh water.
• Allowing the dog to exhibit normal behaviour patterns where safe and appropriate.
• Housing the dog with, or apart from, other animals as appropriate to its needs.
• Protecting the dog from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
• Obtaining appropriate veterinary treatment when required.

These responsibilities remain with the adopter until ownership or responsibility for the dog has formally transferred to a new owner or placement arranged through the rescue.

Adopters must continue to provide appropriate care, accommodation, exercise, veterinary treatment and behavioural management for the dog until responsibility has formally transferred.

We will make every reasonable effort to assist in the rehoming process; however, the timescale for securing a suitable home will depend on factors including the dog's age, health, temperament, behavioural history and the availability of appropriate adopters.

"Failure to meet these welfare obligations may constitute an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and may limit the rescue's ability to assist in the rehoming process."

There is an admin fee of £100 for each dog re-homed to cover our administration costs and the owner is liable to cover the transport fees to the dog’s new home.

Legal Responsibilities Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006

Adopters should be aware that these welfare obligations are legal duties, not optional responsibilities. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the person responsible for an animal must take reasonable steps to ensure that its welfare needs are met at all times.

Failure to provide appropriate care, accommodation, nutrition, veterinary treatment, supervision or protection from suffering may constitute an offence under the Act. Depending on the circumstances, breaches may result in investigation and enforcement action by the relevant authorities, including local authorities, the police, or animal welfare organisations acting within their legal powers.

Potential consequences of failing to comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 may include:

• Formal improvement notices or welfare interventions.
• Seizure of the animal where permitted by law.
• Criminal investigation and prosecution.
• Fines, costs and other penalties imposed by the courts.
• Disqualification from owning, keeping or being responsible for animals in the future.

Hope4Paws UK & Spain cannot assume responsibility for a dog simply because an adopter no longer wishes or is able to keep it. Until ownership or responsibility has formally transferred through an agreed rehoming arrangement, the adopter remains legally responsible for the dog's welfare and safety.

Failure to meet these welfare obligations may constitute an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and may affect the options available for rehoming if the dog's welfare, behaviour or circumstances have deteriorated as a result of inadequate care or management.

We strongly encourage adopters to contact the rescue at the earliest opportunity if difficulties arise so that support and guidance can be provided before a situation reaches crisis point.

2. Emergency Rehoming Situations

An emergency rehoming situation occurs when an adopter can no longer care for their dog due to illness, family circumstances, housing issues, financial hardship, relationship breakdown, hospitalisation, relocation, or any other significant change in circumstances. The owner is responsible to meet the costs of emergency boarding.

2.1 Important Information About Rescue Back-Up

Hope4Paws UK & Spain is a foster-based rescue and does not operate kennels, boarding facilities or emergency accommodation for dogs.

Before adopting a dog from our rescue, adopters must understand that we are unable to provide immediate boarding should circumstances change.

Whilst we provide lifetime Rescue Back-Up support and will work with you to find a suitable alternative home as quickly as possible, the dog remains your legal responsibility until ownership has formally transferred to a new adopter or alternative arrangement has been agreed.

2.2 Emergency Boarding

If a dog cannot remain in its current home whilst rehoming is being arranged, we may be able to assist in identifying suitable emergency boarding facilities, foster placements or alternative temporary arrangements.

However:

• All boarding, transport and associated costs remain the responsibility of the adopter.
• Hope4Paws UK & Spain does not fund emergency boarding.
• Any boarding facility used must be agreed by both parties.
• The adopter remains responsible for all boarding, veterinary, welfare and management costs until ownership is formally transferred.

2.3 Owner Responsibilities

Whilst awaiting rehoming, adopters must continue to comply with their obligations under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and ensure that the dog's welfare needs are met at all times.

Failure to provide appropriate care may constitute an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Adopters must contact the rescue at the earliest opportunity if difficulties arise. Delays in notifying the rescue may reduce the options available for successful rehoming.

2.4 Information Required

To enable us to assess and rehome the dog safely, adopters must provide:

• An up-to-date behavioural history.
• Details of any incidents involving aggression or biting.
• Veterinary history.
• Current photographs.
• Details of any medication or treatment.
• Any relevant training or behavioural reports.

Failure to disclose relevant information may delay or prevent rehoming.

3. Dangerous Dogs, Biting Incidents and Behavioural Emergencies

The safety of people and other animals must always be the priority. Any dog that has bitten, attacked, injured, threatened, or displayed dangerous behaviour must be managed responsibly and in accordance with the law.

3.1 Immediate Action Following a Bite or Attack

Where a dog bites or attacks a person or another animal, the adopter must:

• Secure the dog immediately.
• Prevent any further incidents.
• Seek medical or veterinary treatment where required.
• Contact the police by calling 101, or 999 if there is an immediate threat to life or public safety.
• Follow all instructions issued by the police, local authority or other relevant authority.
• Notify Hope4Paws UK & Spain immediately.

3.2 Information Required by the Rescue

Following any serious incident, the adopter must provide to Hope4Paws UK&Spain:

• A written account of the incident.
• Photographs of injuries where available.
• Photographs of the location where the incident occurred.
• Contact details of any veterinary surgeon involved.
• Copies of veterinary reports.
• Details of any police involvement.
• Crime reference numbers where applicable.
• Details of any witnesses.

If the police become involved, adopters must inform them that the dog originated from Hope4Paws UK & Spain and provide the rescue's contact details.

3.3 Emergency Behaviour Protocol

Where a dog has bitten or is considered a potential risk, adopters must immediately implement an emergency management plan.

This may include:

• Muzzle use in public.
• Lead control at all times.
• Secure fencing and containment.
• Avoidance of known triggers.
• Separation from vulnerable individuals, children or other animals where appropriate.
• Compliance with veterinary and behavioural advice.

The purpose of the emergency management plan is to prevent any further incidents whilst the dog's behaviour is assessed.

3.4 Requests for Rehoming Following Aggression or Biting

Where an adopter wishes Hope4Paws UK & Spain to assist with rehoming a dog that has bitten or displayed dangerous behaviour, the rescue reserves the right to require:

• A full behavioural assessment undertaken by a suitably qualified professional.
• Veterinary reports.
• A completed behaviour modification or training plan where appropriate.
• Evidence of management measures already implemented.

The cost of behavioural assessments and associated reports remains the responsibility of the adopter.

The rescue will not knowingly place a dog into another home without understanding the level of risk involved. The safety of future adopters, the public and other animals must always be considered.

3.5 Euthanasia and Dangerous Dogs

Hope4Paws UK & Spain recognises that there are occasions where euthanasia may be recommended by a veterinary surgeon or required by law due to severe welfare concerns or unacceptable public safety risks.

However, where a dog has displayed aggression, bitten, or is alleged to be dangerously out of control, the rescue must be notified immediately before any decision regarding euthanasia is made, unless emergency circumstances make this impossible.

The adopter must provide:

• The name and address of the veterinary practice.
• The name of the attending veterinary surgeon.
• Details of the incident leading to the decision.
• Any supporting veterinary or behavioural reports.

The rescue will request completion of a Dangerous Behaviour Incident Form and supporting evidence before providing further guidance.

Nothing in this policy prevents a veterinary surgeon, police force, court or local authority from taking immediate action where public safety or animal welfare requires urgent intervention.

3.6 Owner Responsibilities

The fact that a dog has bitten, snapped, growled or displayed challenging behaviour does not automatically mean euthanasia is the only option.

Owners have a responsibility to seek appropriate advice, behavioural support and veterinary assessment before making decisions wherever reasonably possible.

The rescue will always seek to explore safe and realistic alternatives where appropriate. However, public safety must remain the overriding consideration in all cases.

Failure to disclose behavioural incidents, failure to implement safety measures, or failure to comply with legal requirements may affect the rescue's ability to assist and may expose the owner to legal liability.

Failure to Notify the Rescue

As a condition of adoption, adopters agree to notify Hope4Paws UK & Spain immediately of any serious behavioural incident, biting incident, police involvement, dangerous dog investigation, or decision to euthanise a dog.

This requirement forms part of the adoption agreement and the lifetime Rescue Back-Up support provided by the rescue.

Failure to notify the rescue, failure to disclose relevant information, or failure to comply with the terms of the adoption agreement may be considered a breach of contract.

In such circumstances, Hope4Paws UK & Spain reserves the right to pursue any remedies available to it under the adoption agreement or in law, including seeking legal advice and taking appropriate legal action where necessary.

The rescue takes these obligations seriously, as failure to provide timely and accurate information may place the welfare of the dog, public safety, future adopters and the rescue's operations at risk.

Policy Acknowledgement

This Re-Homing & Bite Policy forms an essential part of the Hope4Paws UK & Spain Adoption Agreement and Re-Homing Policy.

By signing the Adoption Agreement, you agree that you have read, understood, and agreed to comply with the requirements set out within this policy.