The NESSR Adoption Process

We all see lovely photos on the forum and Facebook, PLEASE remember it is only a photo, some dogs are particularly photogenic, others do not sit still long enough. Ultimately you do not know the dog, you have no way of knowing how that dog is going to be with you in your home. He or she may not even take to you, like your cats or get on with your children. Your own dog may not actually want to share it's home with this new rescue. So you may be interested in a certain dog but it may not be  suitable for you. Please don't be upset by this at NESSR we all do our utmost to match our charges with the right home. 

Taking on a rescue dog is a big step you need it to be right for you and right for the dog you are adopting. At NESSR we don't like mistakes and its very unfair on the dog to be with you 2 or 3 days to find out you were not a match or a rescue dog was not for you.

Taking on a rescue requires alot of patience so if you are wanting a dog right now as quickly as possible then do think seriously about whether a rescue dog really is right for you.

 

Step 1: Decide you want a dog & submit form
Before completing this form please ensure that you have no doubts about your ability and desire to commit the necessary time, love and energy to care for one of our rescue dogs. Our suitability checks are thorough, as you would expect when we are providing a new start to a spaniel whose current experience of life is sometimes less than ideal.

Step 2: Homecheck and other references
Our team are all unpaid volunteers who are very experienced
springer people and also very busy.

PLEASE BE AWARE, DUE TO THE LARGE AMOUNT OF APPLICATIONS WE
RECEIVE WE WILL NOT CONTACT YOU UNLESS WE FEEL THAT WE HAVE
A SUITABLE DOG FOR YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH US.

If there is a suitable dog within our current charges then one of our volunteers in your area will be in touch to discuss further and to arrange an interview in your own home. We ask that all members of the family living at the house are present at the home check so that we can meet everyone who will be involved with the dogs day to day life . We will also ask for a vet reference and/ or personal reference. We do these over the phone. This is an essential step to inclusion in our registry for potential placement of Northern English Springer Spaniel Rescue dogs.

Step 3: Waiting for your dog
If you are approved we may not be able to offer you a dog immediately, but when one is ready, we will provide you with all available information, including veterinary information etc, prior to placement.

After your home check it may be that the dog you were home checked for is no longer available or even right for you, if this happens we will try and match you up with another of our charges, again please do not get upset.

On occasions we do turn people down, your lifestyle might not suit a rescue springer spaniel, or your garden may not be secure enough, your own dogs may not want to live with a new dog or your vet reference may turn up an issue that makes you unsuitable for a NESSR dog. When this happens we will be honest with you and explain our reasons, please try not to get upset we have to put the needs of our rescue dogs first. 

Step 4: Adopting a Dog
When we have a dog for you we will ask you to come an visit the dog at either Cynthia's or their foster carers.  The dog must be handed over to new owners by a NESSR volunteer as there is paperwork that must be signed before the dog becomes part of your family.

A pdf Adoption Agreement which you will be required to sign at the time of adoption. Read this for your reference Adoption Agreement Form

Step 5: You will be asked to make a donation towards our work.
We receive no outside funding and an appropriate donation to Northern English Springer Spaniel Rescue will be required when you receive your dog. This will help with veterinary, telephone, kennelling and travelling expenses.

We try to ensure that every dog is neutered, vaccinated, wormed, flea'd and microchipped before it is rehomed. This is not always possible if there are medical reasons why a dog can not be neutered or vaccinated but this will be discussed with new owners prior to rehoming.

Neutering, Vaccinating, worming, flea treatment and microchipping costs us on average £150 to £200 per dog. Of course some dogs come in requiring further veterinary care and there are food bills etc. Therefore we are asking people even more to please consider the cost to NESSR of rescuing a dog and to make sure that their donation reflects this. 

The donation must be given at the time of adoption, it can not be forwarded or paid in instalments. If you can not afford a donation then please consider whether or not you can realistically afford the upkeep and vet bills of a dog.