Thinking of Adopting - But Don't Know How It Works? 🐾🏡

So, you’ve been scrolling through our posts, falling in love with those big puppy-dog eyes or those floofy feline faces, and you think, "I need one of these furry wonders in my life!" First of all, great choice. Second of all, let’s walk you through exactly how adopting from Wings and Paws works. We promise it’s straightforward, just with a bit of patience, a sprinkle of preparation, and a whole lot of excitement!

Step 1: Spot the Perfect Match 👀

When an animal is ready for adoption, we post all their juicy details on Facebook and our website. This isn’t just a fluffy introduction; we include key information such as their homing criteria, personality quirks, and any special needs. If you see a pet that makes your heart go boom, it’s time for step two!

Step 2: Fill in the Adoption Form 📝

Yes, it’s form-filling time! We need to know all about you, your home, and your lifestyle. The more details you give, the better. Think of it like a dating profile but for you and your future pet. Tell us why you’re a paw-fect match, what experience you have, and how your home is set up. Skim over it, and you’re likely to get ghosted (in the nicest possible way).

Step 3: The Call 📞

If we think you could be a great match, we’ll give you a call. This is a friendly chat to get to know you better, ask a few extra questions, and discuss the pet in more detail. But, and we cannot stress this enough, we’re an all-volunteer team. We simply can’t call every single applicant, no matter how much we wish we could. If you don’t hear from us, please don’t be disheartened - your perfect rescue pet might just be waiting for the next round of adoptions!

Step 4: Meet & Greet Time! 🐶🌳

This is the fun part! If you get through the first steps, you and your potential new best friend will have a meet & greet. Everyone in the household should be present so we can make sure it’s love at first sight (or at least mutual respect at first sniff). If you’re adopting a dog and you already have one, we’ll arrange the meeting on neutral ground, like a local park, to see how they get along. Nobody wants World War Woof on their hands.

Step 5: Home Check 🏡

Before we give you the final thumbs-up, we’ll carry out a home check. This isn’t an episode of Through the Keyhole - we don't care if you've done the washing up, or you need new wallpaper - we just want to confirm that everything is safe and suitable for your new pet. If you rent, we’ll need to see permission from your landlord. If you have other pets, we’ll check they’re up to date on their vet care. We’re all about responsible rehoming, and this step ensures everything is in place for a smooth transition.

Step 6: Secure Your Adoption 💳

Once your home check is a success, you’ll pay a non refundable deposit to secure your adoption. Think of it as a promise ring but with more fur and fewer arguments over the TV remote.

Step 7: Adoption Day! 🎉

The moment you’ve been waiting for! You pay the final donation, and your new best friend comes home with you. Expect excitement, tail wags, or a confused cat side-eye as they adjust to their new life. It’s a big moment for both of you!

Remember - this is HUGE for your new pet and it doesn't always go smoothly right away... we wrote a post on what to expect which you can read here.

Step 8: Support for Life ❤️

Adopting doesn’t end when you walk out the door. We’re here for the long haul with advice, guidance, and backup support. Whether you need training tips, help with settling in, or just want to share cute updates (we LOVE those), we’re only a message away.

A Final Note: The Waiting Game

We know it’s hard waiting to hear back. We receive a huge number of applications, and unfortunately, not everyone will get a call. But don’t lose hope! The right animal for you could be just around the corner. Keep an eye on our posts, keep applying, and when the time is right, your perfect furry companion will come along.

📢 Got questions? Drop us a message, and we’ll do our best to help!