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Some dogs that end up being cared for by a charity are rescued from abuse or neglect (sadly the RSPCA has to deal with such incidents on a daily basis), but some are there because their owners have had no choice but to take their dog for rehoming, perhaps because of a change in their job situation that means that they no longer have the money to care for them.

People who take their dog for rehoming are criticised for giving up on their pet – some people say that they wouldn’t send their children away, so why send their dog away just because money is a bit tight.  The sad fact is that some people can’t even afford to properly care for their children, and those children end up neglected, hungry and sometimes abused – so perhaps the people who send their dogs for rehoming are actually doing them a real favour.

If you are considering getting a new dog for your family, it is obviously really important to be sure that you’ll be able to look after it for the rest of its life – this is particularly important for a dog from a rehoming centre because it will already have been through the experience of losing its home once and it would be cruel to put it through it again.

But rehoming a dog can be a very rewarding experience and your new best friend will thank you for it.  There will be some expense involved, as there would with any dog, but if this is your first dog then it might help to have a list of the sorts of things you’ll need to pay for:

1. Food – you don’t have to buy the best brands, but your dog will need complete nutrition to stop it from becoming unwell.  Remember that if your dog is very young, very old or pregnant, they may need additional nutrients and you should seek advice from your vet about what they need to eat.

2. Vet bills – from spaying or neutering (which is likely to have already been arranged by the dog rehoming centre) to worming and vaccinations, routine veterinary care costs can add up and these aren’t something that you could claim against your pet insurance for.  It is advisable to take out pet insurance to pay for unexpected vets’ bills such as in the event of an illness or accident.

3. Collar, lead and toys.

4. Micro chipping is advisable.

5. If your dog displays undesirable behaviour, you might need to pay for training to rectify the problem.

6. A dog bed (though they are just as happy with a large cardboard box with a soft blanket or large pillow).

As well as these physical considerations, dogs also need considerable time to care for them properly and give them enough attention. They need to be fed once or twice a day, and have access at all times to clean, fresh water. They thrive on attention and play, and you must take time out of your day to supply this through play, exercise and/or grooming; you’ll also need to take them out for regular walks so that they can train their bladder to know when to expect to be able to go outside to relieve themselves. 

If you have adopted a dog, he or she may be nervous or stressed in the early days of growing accustomed to their new environment and family.  Take a few days off work to allow your dog to become familiar with their new surroundings and to feel safe and secure.  Your dog will need plenty of reassurance and fuss to help you to bond with each other and to make your dog feel truly at home.





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