Ever since Battersea Dogs & Cats Home opened its doors in 1860, rehoming pets has become part of the fabric of British life.
These days, the internet plays a crucial role in animal adoptions, allowing families to see potential pets before they decide to go and meet them. However, remember you won’t be able to order a pet online, which may be worth pointing out to your kids when they’re sighing over the photographs.
Help finding the right match
The matching of pets to homes is something all reputable rehoming organisations take seriously and most use a mixture of 21st-century technology and a good old-fashioned chat. Danielle Draper, manager of Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre in Sussex, says: “The internet is a useful tool, but we would never use websites and social media alone to rehome a cat. We use a mixture of questionnaires, discussions with potential adopters, technology and home visits to match the right cat to the right home.”
The future of technology will no doubt offer other useful ways to aid the matching process and several are being tested. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home recently trialled Google Glass, using it to allow visitors to see films of their charges gambolling around in the open air, rather than hiding in their kennels or pens – as is often the case when new people are nearby.
Dogs Trust, meanwhile, has been testing canine “smart” kennels to see if dogs that can control their environment – with dog-operated doors and feeders for example – become less stressed and, therefore, easier to rehome.
A trend that’s still rising
As to the future, rehoming organisations would love to be needed less. And some advances are making that more likely – people are more aware now that animals need to be neutered, and microchipping means a stray can be returned to its owners. But that hasn’t put a dent in the number of pets that do need a new home – the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found homes for a record number of animals last year. So what should a family consider if they want to rehome a pet?
First, you need to be realistic about what you can offer. Would walking a dog twice a day be a great opportunity to exercise your kids, or is everyone too busy? Would you be better off with a lazy, cuddly animal that doesn’t mind sticky affectionate toddlers? “Adopting a dog is a major commitment,” says Steve Goward, deputy head of canine behaviour and training at Dogs Trust. “The age, breed and size of the dog you choose should fit in with your lifestyle, otherwise things can become difficult.”
As for cats, some of the pricier, pedigree ones can be pretty temperamental. “Breed cats shouldn’t be chosen on looks alone, as they have specific needs that many new owners won’t realise,” says Lindsey Quinlan, head of the cattery at Battersea. In fact, a less distinguished moggy that’s happy to snooze on your teenager’s bed may be more your thing.
But you aren’t alone; all good rehoming organisations will see it as part of their job to offer advice.
Opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Sainsbury’s Bank.
Sainsbury’s Bank pet insurance helps with vets’ fees at home or abroad. Depending on the level of cover you choose, complementary treatment, physiotherapy and even behavioural problems can be included. You could also get help if you need to advertise to get a lost pet back.
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