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How to Adopt an Animal From the RSPCA

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Table of Contents
Table of Contents. 3 Introduction 5 Chapter One: Getting Matched With the Perfect Pet 6 Special Appeals 7 Online Pet Search Tool.. 7 Walk Into Your Local Shelter. 8 Rehoming Policy... 8 Chapter Two: The Application Process 10 Applications. 11 Interview 11 Home Visit. 11 Terms and Conditions of Adoption.. 11 Chapter Three: General Pet Care 14 Vaccinations 15 Dogs. 15 Cats. 15 Rabbits 15 Microchipping 16 Neutering 16 Fleas 16 Worms17 Pet Insurance 17 Chapter Four: After Adoption. 18 Follow Up 19

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Donate19 Volunteer.20 Works Cited..21

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Introduction
This manual will help guide you through the steps to adopt a new pet from the RSPCA. The first step is choosing your pet, then going through the application process. Along with adoption information, general pet care advice will be given so you can maintain your new pets health. To conclude this manual is a section about how you can continue to help your local RSPCA branch.

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Chapter One: Getting Matched With the Perfect Pet

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Chapter One: Getting Matched With the Perfect Pet

When searching for that special addition to your family you want to make sure it is a perfect fit. The RSPCA has several options to ensure that is exactly what happens. The options range from online tools to personal interviews. All animals have had a behavioral assessment to help match them with the best possible home.

Special Appeals
A good place to begin your search would be the special appeals animals. The special appeals animals at the RSPCA are the animals who have been there a bit longer than the others, older animals, or pairs of animal who have bonded. These animals are placed in this specific area for the fact that it is more difficult for them to find a new home. If you have the room or the qualifications to care for one of these animals it can a world of difference for them.

Online Pet Search Tool

The pet search tool online allows you to narrow the field of adoption down to what you are specifically looking for. It will first ask you what type of animal you are looking for and then will ask for your postcode or town/county. Once the information has been provided it will then direct you to a page with all the animals matching that description in your area. The animal listings all include a picture, a short introduction about the animal, and information about where they are being kept. Also once on this page it will let you filter your search criteria further to allow you to find exactly what it is you are looking for. If any one of these animals catches your eye, call the shelter it is being held at and make an appointment to visit with it. Once you are there the shelter can give you more in depth information about that particular animal. If you decided that this is the animal you would like to take home, the animal will then be reserved for you and a home visit will be scheduled to ensure your home is suitable for the pet you have chosen.

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Walk Into Your Local Shelter

Another great way to start your search for a new pet is to walk into your local shelter. This way you can see every animal available for adoption and even visit with the ones that peak your interest. This approach is more hands on and can give you a better connection with your new pet. Also any questions you may have can be answered automatically by the volunteer/shelter employee helping you.

Rehoming Policy
The RSPCA takes special care to match owners with new pets. In order for this to happen they follow several procedures to ensure the welfare of both pet and owner. The Rehoming Policy was created for this purpose. Before committing to bringing a new pet into your home you should thoroughly read through the policy. If you have any question or concerns contact your local shelter. The policy in full can be seen on the next page or you can view it online at the RSPCA website

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Chapter Two: Application Process

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Chapter Two: Application Process

Once you have found that perfect match the application process begins. The process at times can be lengthy and requires patience. Each step is to ensure that every aspect of adoption has been covered and that as a pet owner you fully understand the responsibility.

Applications
For each type of animal the RSPCA has a different application. This manual does not provide the actual applications. If you have been searching online you may print the appropriate application from the RSPCA website and fill it out at home. Once you have filled out the application at home bring it to the shelter where the animal you wish to adopt is being cared for. If you are at a shelter a volunteer will give you the application you need to fill out. It is important that you fill out the application completely and truthfully so that the RSPCA can help provide the animal with a suitable environment.

Interview
Many of the animals in the care of the RSPCA have been rescued from homes where they were abused. Because of this, an interview is usually scheduled after you have filled out an application. The interview is also another tool to ensure that you and the animal you have chosen are a perfect match. After the interview if the shelter feels you are a good match for the animal a home visit will be scheduled.

Home Visit
After the interview a home visit is usually the next step. Each animal depending on its needs requires a certain home environment. When a RSPCA member comes to see your home they will when needed suggest minor changes. This is to ensure your home is as pet friendly as possible.

Terms and Conditions of Adoption

Before you can take your new pet home you must read through the terms and conditions of adoption. These help you to understand the responsibility of your new commitment. The terms and conditions can be seen on the next two pages.

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Chapter Three: General Pet Care

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Chapter Three: General Pet Care

Once owning your new pet you want to make sure they maintain a healthy life. Some of the more common pet issues are addressed below.

Vaccinations
Vaccinations are a major component in your pets health, if they are not kept up to date your animal is at risk for infectious diseases. Some of these diseases can even be transmitted to humans. Animals need to be vaccinated at a young age and then be given booster shots regularly throughout their life. Dogs For puppies you should get them vaccinated at about 8 and 10 weeks and then give them a booster after about 12 months. The infectious diseases dogs should be routinely vaccinated against are: Canine Parvovirus Canine Distemper Virus Leptospirosis Infectious Canine Hepatitis If you routinely travel and leave your dog in a kennel another vaccine against kennel cough is beneficial. This vaccination protects against parainfluenza virus and bordetella bronciseptica. Another extremely beneficial vaccination is the rabies vaccine. Cats For kittens you should get them vaccinated at about 9 and 12 weeks and then give them a booster after about 12 months. The infectious diseases cats should be routinely vaccinated against are: Feline Infectious Enteritis Feline Herpes Virus Feline Calicivirus Feline leukaemia virus Rabbits Rabbits also need to be routinely vaccinated. Make an appointment with your local vet and then both of you can set a schedule on subsequent visits. Rabbits should be routinely vaccinated against: Myxomatosis

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Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD)

Microchipping
Once your new pet is home you want to make sure he/she never gets lost or stolen. A great way to prevent both from happening is to get your pet microchipped. The way a microchip works is a tiny microchip is placed under your animals skin. This microchip contains a unique code and when scanned your contact details can be retrieved from a database. Keeping your details up-to-date on this database is extremely important, so when you move or change your phone number you must update your contact information. Cats, dogs, rabbits and horses can all be microchipped. If you wish to do this, contact your local vet for advice.

Neutering
Neutering/Spaying your animal prevents unwanted litters and even some common behavioral issues. Neutering is for male animals and involves removing the testicles, spaying is for female animals and involves removing the womb and ovaries. These operations are carried out under general anesthetic and your pet will recover quickly. Some other benefits to neutering your pet are that in reduces urine marking and roaming in male cats/dogs and it prevents females from coming into season and attracting males. If this interests you contact your local vet for pricing and setting up an appointment.

Fleas
Fleas are a common problem among all animals. Along with being irritating to your animal, fleas can also be bothersome to humans. A key point in preventing fleas is to treat your pet and your home. Ways to keep your home clean include: Clean bedding regularly Vacuum furniture, floors and baseboards Throw away dust bag after each vacuum use Making sure your pet is free from fleas is an important part of your pets health and happiness. There are several different topical treatments that your vet can recommend to you.

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Worms
Worms are a nasty parasite that can dreadfully impact your pets health. Worms can be picked up from other infected animals, from eating the larvae or eggs of worms (e.g. in grass), from eating raw meat, infected prey animals, or infected parasites. Your pet should have a worm control program in place that has been advised by your vet. Along with the worm medication you should also take these steps in reducing the risk: Keep up with a regular flea treatment, as fleas can carry tapeworm eggs Disinfect food water bowls regularly House is regularly cleaned and disinfected For farm animals, good pasture management Wash your hands thoroughly before you eat Clean up after your pet Dispose of feces carefully

Pet Insurance
Just like you have insurance for yourself, you should get insurance for your pet. This policy helps you with unforeseen pet cost to ensure the health of your animal. The insurance policies can cover multiple cats and dogs. Depending on your budge there are four different policies to choose from: 1. Premeire Pet Insurance 2. Classic Pet Insurance 3. Basic Pet Insurance 4. Accident Only Pet Insurance Another great reason to have your pet covered with insurance is that once a policy is bought part of the money is donated to the RSPCA.

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Chapter Four: After Adoption

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Chapter Four: After Adoption

Now that you have taken your new pet home its time to enjoy him/her! While doing this though, remember there are still other animals in need of their happy ending. Continue to help animals in your community by donating either your time or a small amount of money. The RSPCA is always looking for helping hands.

Follow Up
After all the paper work has been processed and you have took your animal home the RSPCA will do a follow up on your case. This can either be a phone call or another home visit. This procedure is to ensure that both you and the animal are adjusting well together and it was indeed a good match.

Donate
Although your animal has found a new home to be loved and cherished in, there are always many more waiting for the opportunity. You can continue to help these animals by making a donation. A donation of any size can go a long way in helping to shelter, feed, vaccinate and care for these animals. There are four different ways for you to donate. 1. You may donate by going online to the RSPCA homepage at http://www.rspca.org.uk/home and clicking on the red Please Donate Now link in the top right hand corner, or go directly to https://www.rspca.org.uk/donate/online. You can set up a monthly donation or just a one-time donation. 2. You may donate by calling the 24 hour donation line at 0300-123-8181. 3. You may donate via a text message by texting the word HELP to 82727. 4. You donate by post. Send a check (payable to the RSPCA) to: Supporter Services RSPCA Freepost (SW2465) Horsham West Sussex RH13 9RS

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Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to ensure that other needy animals get the care they need. The RSPCA is always in need of helping hands. There are several different ways for you to make a difference. 1. Administrator Working as an administrator could involve: Working from home to help coordinate fundraising activities or home visits working in the reception area of a local center helping with newsletters or letters to donors or prospective adopters 2. Branch Trustee The RSPCA has several different branches and needs help running each one. The branches are run by a committee of volunteers who meet monthly. Committee responsibilities vary depending on the type of animal welfare work the branch is carrying out in the area. 3. Charity Shop Worker The RSPCA runs 207 charity shops and welcomes any volunteers. The shops offer roles for everyone, including: Sorting clothes Helping customers Operating the till Arrange window display 4. Community Cat Champion This position requires you to talk to and encourage people to have their cats neutered by explain the benefits. 5. Computer Work Working in this area allows you to work from home and can be flexible around time. Positions include: Creating/updating information on the website Updating databases Creating/maintaining word processing/spreadsheet documents Creating/maintaining links with the administration roles available 6. Fostering

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Fostering an animal for the RSPCA is extremely important to the organizations. All animals have different needs and with foster homes they can get some one-on-one attention. There are 3 types of fostering roles: 1. Fosterers for animals ready to be rehomed 2. Fosterers for case animals whilst the legal proceedings take place 3. Fosterers for the PetRetreat scheme that helps families who are suffering from domestic abuse Being a fostering home is a big responsibility and you are responsible for the welfare of the animal in your care. 7. Fundraising Each branch of the RSPCA is self-funded and raises money locally to support the animal welfare work they do. These branches are always in need for volunteers to help with fundraising events. 8. Gardening and Maintenance The RSPCA strives to keep all animals in their care in a nice comfortable environment. Sometimes this requires volunteers to help keep all shelters in running order. Duties vary depending on the need of each shelter. 9. Home Visitor A home visitor is the person who visits the homes of potential animal adopters to ensure the home is suitable for the animal. They also speak with the potential adopters to make sure they understand all the aspects of being a pet owner. 10. Pets at Home Rehoming Co-ordinator This position includes dealing with customers, providing help and guidance, promoting the rehoming of RSPCA animals and practical animal care.

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Works Cited
"Neutering Your Pet ." . RSPCA, n.d. Web. 25 Nov 2013. <http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/general/neutering>. "Microchipping Your Pet ." . RSPCA, n.d. Web. 25 Nov 2013. <http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/general/microchipping>.
"Vaccinating Your Pet ." . RSPCA, n.d. Web. 25 Nov 2013. <http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/general/vaccinating>.

"Keep Fleas in Check ." . RSPCA, n.d. Web. 25 Nov 2013. <http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/general/fleas>. "Get Worm Wise." . RSPCA, n.d. Web. 25 Nov 2013. <http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/general/worms>.
"Volunteer." . RSPCA, n.d. Web. 25 Nov 2013. <http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/volunteer/whatcanido>. "Poisoning ." . RSPCA, n.d. Web. 25 Nov 2013. <http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/general/poisoning>. "Pet Insurance ." . RSPCA, n.d. Web. 25 Nov 2013. <http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/supportus/petinsurance>.