Covid-19 Status
Our rehoming centres aren’t open for public browsing but we're still rehoming and taking in dogs. We’ve set up new processes which include social distancing measures to help keep staff and our visitors safe.
Our centres in England will have increased safety measures in place until national lockdown ends in early December. Until then, we won't be making appointments to come and meet dogs, but we can register your interest to meet them when restrictions lift.
Our centres in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales may still be able to offer appointments for potential adopters to meet dogs who need to get to know their new family before going home.
In these unprecedented circumstances, we’re doing everything we can to ensure our vital work continues. Check this page for updates as the situation changes.
Advice for dog owners
Adopting a dog
We’re working closely with DEFRA and other animal organisations on Covid-19 animal welfare guidance. Dogs in our centres are still being cared for. And we’re keeping our staff safe by working in new and different ways.
Find out how we’re making sure our workplaces and venues are Covid-secure
Some of our usual services have been affected by coronavirus restrictions, you can find out more information below. But we’re still here for you and your dog – if you need urgent support, contact us on 0303 003 0000. We’ll do everything we can to help.
Rehoming
Our rehoming centres aren’t open for public browsing but we're still rehoming and taking in dogs. We’ve set up new processes which include social distancing measures to help keep staff and our visitors safe.
In England: our rehoming centres are now closed to the public and will stay closed until the second national lockdown lifts, in early December. We’re still matching dogs with their new homes virtually and delivering dogs contact-free. We won’t be making new appointments to come and meet dogs at the centre, but we can register your interest to meet them when restrictions lift.
The government has advised against non-essential travel during lockdown, but we will honour any existing appointments or collections of dogs at the discretion of the new owner, if they wish to make the journey.
In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales: Our rehoming centres aren’t open for public browsing but we’re still matching dogs with their new homes virtually, delivering dogs contact-free. And you may be able to make an appointment to come and meet a dog who needs to get to know their new family before going home. Local lockdowns may affect our rehoming procedures – if you’re interested in applying to adopt a dog, please check your local restrictions.
The government has advised against non-essential travel during lockdown, so we can’t facilitate adoptions across regions.
If you’re interested in applying to adopt a dog, click on the ‘come and meet me’ button on their online profile. See dogs available for adoption
More information about rehoming from us and our new processes
Thinking about getting a dog? Our guide will help you decide if you're 'dog ready.'
Giving up your dog
We know that life rarely goes according to plan, and things don’t always work out, including owning a dog. If you’re thinking you may need to give your dog up for adoption, then please call us on 0300 303 2188 or contact us via our form. We’re here to help you make the right decision for your dog. More information about giving up your dog
Dog School
We’re still running our dog school classes, both online and face-to-face, and supporting owners to continue training with their dog despite Covid-19 restrictions. Find out if your local Dog School is open for classes, and make an enquiry.
In England, all classes will be taught online until national lockdown restrictions lift in early December.
In Northern Ireland, South Wales and Scotland, we’ll continue running smaller, socially-distanced face-to-face classes, unless guidance in those nations changes.
To keep our staff and customers safe, face-to-face classes have new safety measures in place, including asking owners to bring their own blankets and treats, to wear a mask for the duration of the class and to make use of hand sanitiser provided. Find out more about what we’re doing to make sure our classes are COVID-19 secure.
Take a look at our online training tips and videos.
Donations
We’re so grateful for your support, now more than ever. For the time-being, we can’t accept donations of pre-loved goods at our centres, but you can still send gifts to our dogs via our Amazon Wishlists or donate via our website.
Events
Any public events we had planned have been postponed.
Charity Shops
All of our charity shops, except our shop in Abergavenny, are closed until lockdown restrictions lift in early December. We can’t accept pre-loved donations at these locations and our collection service is suspended. We’ll update this page as soon as that changes. More information >
If you can, please save your donations for us. We’ll particularly need winter coats, shoes, boots, bags, bric-a-brac and jewellery. We’ll be ready to receive them, as soon as we can open againIf you’d like to be notified when your local shop is ready for donations email [email protected].
For all the essentials for your four-legged friends, visit our Amazon shop
Shared Adoption Scheme
Due to Coronavirus we have had to change the way we run our shared adoption support scheme. If you are part of the scheme, read more about how these changes could affect you.
Fostering
We’ve been overwhelmed by offers to foster our dogs. Thanks to you, we’ve been able to get many dogs in to foster homes – which is essential to the work we do, as some dogs struggle in kennels.
We do still have a small number of dogs who are looking for a very particular foster home, so we’re only accepting applications from experienced dog owners who don’t have any other pets or children in their home. Find out more and apply.
If you've applied to become a foster carer, thank you for your offer of support. Our team will be in touch if there is a suitable dog for you.
Volunteering
We've been overwhelmed with offers of help from members of the dog-loving public to volunteer with us, and we appreciate every single one. Due to current restrictions we’ve had to temporarily close applications for new volunteers and ask our existing volunteers to stay at home and keep safe.
Education
We've suspended all school visits until the end 2020 but we’re currently offering online dog safety workshops for primary schools and families. Find out more and book a free workshop
Sponsor a dog
If you sponsor a dog already, or have recently signed up, please be aware that your welcome pack and updates may take slightly longer than usual to arrive, due to pandemic restrictions. Thank you for bearing with us as we continue our vital work caring for thousands of stray and abandoned dogs. Your support means so much, now more than ever. Sponsor a dog >
If you’d like to treat your sponsor dog this Christmas, please send gifts straight to their rehoming centre, as our London offices are closed. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to send thank you letters this year, but we are so grateful for your support.