Apply to Adopt or Foster
Interested in one of our dogs? Please read this information in full before asking questions or applying so our volunteer team can use their time effectively.
By submitting an adoption or foster application, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to the terms outlined here.
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Adoption Costs
We do not charge a profit-making adoption fee. Instead, we ask for a contribution that covers the costs of bringing each dog safely and legally to the UK.
£680 – mixed-breed dogs (crossbreeds, mongrels, mutts, etc.)
£780 – purebred rescue dogs (e.g. Dachshunds, Golden Retrievers, St. Bernards, French Bulldogs, etc.)
This contribution is not payment for the dog. It simply covers the costs involved in veterinary care, vaccinations, neutering/spaying, blood tests, microchipping, passports, legal documentation, and transport.
Subsidised Dogs
Some of our rescue dogs have a reduced adoption contribution thanks to kind donations from supporters who help cover part of their costs. These dogs are typically at a lower adoption fee of £450.
These dogs are clearly marked as “Subsidised” in their individual albums, and there is also a dedicated album featuring all currently subsidised dogs.
The reduced fee helps give long-term dogs a better chance of finding a loving family.
Even with a lower contribution, the same adoption process and rescue backup apply.
What the Contribution Covers
Veterinary Care & Health
Vaccinations, flea & worm treatments: All dogs are fully vaccinated including double polyvalent vaccinations for parvovirus and distemper, plus rabies. Flea and worm treatments are given on rescue, during care, and again before travel (a legal requirement). Sometimes vaccinations are carried out before a passport is issued, so not all may appear in it, but we guarantee every dog is fully covered before travel.
Spaying & neutering: All dogs are spayed/neutered unless too young or medically exempt. In these cases, adopters must arrange this at the correct age (females by 15 months, males by 18 months or size-appropriate). We follow up to confirm this has been done.
4D blood test & health checks: Each dog receives a full veterinary health check and a 4D blood test screening for major diseases. Dogs are only cleared for adoption once healthy or with a treatment plan in place.
Brucella & heartworm testing: Every dog is tested. If a dog is heartworm positive, we inform adopters during the application process.
Legal & Travel Documentation
Microchip: Every dog is microchipped before travel, as required by law.
Pet passport: Each dog has an official EU Pet Passport recording vaccinations, microchip details, and treatments.
TRACES certification: Required by law to trace animal transport.
DEFRA import forms: Completed for every dog entering the UK.
Duty & VAT: Payable on all imported dogs, including rescues.
Final Pre-Travel Care
Final vet check & tapeworm treatment: Before travel, dogs receive a final health check and mandatory deworming against Echinococcus (tapeworm). This is recorded in their passport and checked at the border.
Kennel stay: Dogs often stay in kennels briefly before travel while final paperwork and treatments are completed.
Heartworm - What to Expect
It’s only occasional that the dogs we rescue have Heartworm. It’s clearly stated on the dogs individual album if they are Heartworm positive. This section only applies if your chosen dog has it.
Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes in many parts of the world but is not established in the UK.
Every dog is tested. If positive, they are labelled HW+ and adopters are informed during the application process.
Treatment involves ivermectin injections over several months. Dogs usually remain happy and healthy throughout.
Medication is supplied free of charge until the dog tests negative. Adopters only pay their vet’s fee for the final blood tests. Two negative tests (three months apart) confirm the dog is clear for life.
Dogs cannot be spayed/neutered until they are clear of heartworm, as surgery poses extra risk during treatment.
Why the Contribution is Higher for Purebred Dogs
We charge a slightly higher contribution for purebred or highly popular breeds. This helps us cover the costs of dogs who receive no sponsorship, spend longer in kennels, or need more extensive care. A lot of our mixed breed dogs wait much longer than pure breeds.
In short, contributions from more in-demand dogs help ensure that every dog regardless of breed or popularity, gets the chance to be rescued.
Why Costs Have Increased Since Brexit and COVID
Since Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, the costs of rescuing and transporting dogs have risen significantly. Extra paperwork, stricter legal requirements, and higher transport and kennel fees all add to the expense.
These increases are outside our control, but we are committed to keeping contributions as low as possible while ensuring every dog travels safely and legally.
Payment and Cancellation Policy
Payment is due about two weeks before transport. We’ll confirm the exact deadline in your adoption chat.
Contributions are non-refundable. They cover veterinary care, transport, and administration costs already incurred.
Occasionally a deposit may be required (for example, for very young dogs waiting to travel). Deposits are also non-refundable and go towards the dog’s care.
Adopting a dog already in a UK foster home carries the same contribution, as all standard rescue costs still apply.
If you can’t keep your adopted dog, they must be returned to Wags N Wet Noses. Rehoming or resale without our permission is not allowed.
If you decide after adoption that the dog is not suitable (even within 24 hours), the contribution is still non-refundable due to costs already paid.
Behaviour and Temperament Assessment
All our rescue dogs undergo behaviour and temperament assessments. This includes their reactions to children, other dogs, busy environments, and everyday situations.
Dogs from small, remote kennels may have limited exposure to traffic or busy towns.
We aim to match each dog to a home suited to their personality and needs.
While we provide guidance and advice, adopters should be aware that most dogs need time to adjust. Rescue dogs require patience and training to settle into a new home.
We have an info pack on settling in your rescue dog - please message us if you’d like to receive this.
Dogs and Cats
Most of our dogs have not been cat-tested, so we cannot guarantee compatibility.
Some dogs have a natural chase instinct, while others may coexist with confident cats. Outcomes can vary depending on the individual dog and cat.
If a dog is rejected due to incompatibility with cats, the contribution is non-refundable.
Any known cat-tested results will be noted in the dog’s album.
Our Team of Volunteers
All Wags ’N’ Wet Noses admins and rescue team members are volunteers working alongside their jobs and families.
None of our team is paid, we operate purely for the love of dogs.
We ask for patience and kindness when communicating with the team. We sometimes receive hundreds of enquiries a day, alongside managing rescues, vets, transports, and emergencies.
UK Kennels & Fosters
We have a reliable UK kennel in South Yorkshire for dogs returned or awaiting adoption.
We also work with several emergency foster homes across the UK.
These facilities ensure dogs remain safe, cared for, and comfortable while awaiting their forever homes.
Our Rescue Dogs
Many of our dogs come from extremely difficult backgrounds, including kill shelters, abandonment, abuse, and neglect.
Our volunteer rescuers in the Balkans take the time to earn each dog’s trust, nurse them back to health, and help them learn to trust humans again.
Rescue dogs are not like puppies from breeders. They may have never experienced a home, affection, or indoor life.
Settling in can take time, from one week to several months, depending on the dog. Patience, training, and gentle guidance are essential.
All our dogs need committed adopters willing to invest time and patience. Some require basic training, while others may need help with separation anxiety, fear, or other behavioural challenges.
We ask for a minimum one-month commitment before considering a dog unsuitable.
Dog Sponsorship
Once approved to adopt, you can sponsor your dog while they await transport to the UK.
Sponsorship helps cover boarding, food, and care in the kennels, costing approximately £40 per month.
Sponsorship is optional, but it greatly supports the dog’s welfare.
Supporters who do not adopt can also sponsor a dog to help cover their care until adoption.
Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference to our rescue dogs’ lives.
The Application Process
Initial Enquiry – Sending a message does not mean you have applied. Please browse our available dogs on our Facebook page and choose one or two dogs you are interested in.
Application Form – We will email a specific application form for the dog(s) you wish to apply for. Generic forms are not sent.
Group Chat – Once your application is reviewed, we open a Facebook Messenger group chat with you, our admin team, and the rescuer caring for the dog. Here, we discuss the dog’s behaviour, your home environment, and suitability.
Home Check & Vet References – If approved, we may conduct a home check and request vet references. If you cannot provide a vet reference, the home check alone will support your application.
Multiple Applications – Popular dogs may have several applications. We review all applications carefully to find the best match.
Reserved Marker – A dog is only reserved once your application is approved. We cannot reserve dogs in advance.
Communication: You can ask questions throughout the process. Replies may take time due to the volume of applications, but we are always working behind the scenes.
Updates: Rescuers may take time to provide new photos or videos, especially if caring for multiple dogs.
Dog Transport to the UK
Once approved, we book the dog’s travel on a licensed EU-to-UK transport van. The van meets all DEFRA and APHA regulations and ensures comfort and safety for the dogs.
Dogs are kept in kennels before travel for final vet checks and registration in the UK TRACES system.
DEFRA and APHA are notified of each dog’s arrival, and all documents (passports, microchips, vaccinations) are checked at Calais and again in the UK.
Delivery: Most dogs are delivered to your home or a nearby collection point. For remote areas (Scotland, Cornwall, Norfolk, Pembrokeshire), collection may be up to a few hours away.
Transport Dates: Keep transport dates confidential to avoid local interference in the Balkans. Dates may change due to illness, vet availability, or official regulations.
Kennels on Arrival: Dogs from Bosnia or Serbia may require a short stay in a registered UK kennel before home delivery.
Collection Instructions: Arrive early, check group chats for updates, and ensure someone is home for deliveries. Timings may shift due to traffic or Eurotunnel delays.
Delivery of Your Rescue Dog
The delivery schedule is shared the day before transport, including your collection point and estimated arrival time.
Please remain flexible, as times may change due to traffic, Eurotunnel delays, or other unforeseen factors.
Updates are provided through your group chat so you can track the van’s progress across Europe and within the UK.
Delivery and Collection Points
For most adopters, dogs are delivered directly to your home or to a nearby collection point.
Scottish adopters: Delivery to your door is not available due to transport route limitations. Collection points are located in Edinburgh, Perth, or Glasgow.
You will be notified which location applies to your dog’s transport, and exact timings will be confirmed before arrival.
On the Day
Please arrive early for your collection slot and stay in touch via the group chat for any timing updates.
Ensure you bring a secure lead, collar, and slip lead for safety when collecting your dog.
The transport team may deliver or arrive overnight or early morning, depending on the schedule.
Rescue Backup & Rejecting a Dog
Our team is always available for advice, support, and guidance regarding your adopted dog.
We provide transparent information about each dog’s personality, behaviour, and potential challenges before adoption.
If a dog does not settle or is unsuitable, it must be returned to Wags N Wet Noses. Rehoming or selling the dog yourself is not allowed.
Returning a dog may take a few days to four weeks to arrange a new placement. You must be able to safely care for the dog during this time.
You may need to either deliver the dog to our kennels in Rotherham or pay for a transporter arranged by us. Occasionally, emergency foster placements may be available instead of kennels.
A minimum one-month commitment is required before deciding a dog is unsuitable, allowing the dog time to settle and show its true personality.
Rescue Backup & Continued Support for Your Dog’s Lifetime
Your adoption group chat remains open indefinitely, providing ongoing access to our team for advice, support, and guidance.
We are available for lifetime support, helping with any questions, training advice, or concerns that may arise after adoption.
Our commitment ensures that adopters never feel alone while caring for a rescue dog.
Adopting a Rescue Dog Already in the UK
Some dogs are already in UK foster homes to make adoption easier or after a previous adoption didn’t work out.
The adoption process is similar: enquiry → application form → group chat → home check.
An adoption fee is required for dogs already in the UK. This ensures the dog’s safety and shows adopter commitment.
Free-to-good-home dogs are not an option, as this can put them at risk from dog baiters or illegal activities.
The adoption fee supports unsponsored dogs and their care until they find a permanent home.
Testimonials and Reviews
Our adopters’ and fosterers’ Facebook group is full of stories, experiences, updates, and advice from people who have adopted or fostered with us.
You are welcome to join the group to ask questions, see updates, and learn from others’ experiences.
The group provides a supportive community for both adopters and supporters.
Join the group here to connect and read testimonials.
Next Steps
Please consider everything carefully before applying to adopt or foster.
Once submitted, we will guide you through the application, group chat, and home check process.
We look forward to welcoming you as a foster or adopter with Wags N Wet Noses Dog Rescue. Thank you for reading this information pack and for considering giving a rescue dog a loving home. Your support is kind, noble, and life-changing for our dogs.
If you're ready to adopt or foster, please apply below or message us on Facebook. If you reach out via Facebook, please include your email address and the names of any dogs you’re interested in. We’ll send you the adoption form to apply.
Thank you for considering adopting or fostering a rescue dog. We appreciate your willingness to offer a second chance at a loving home!
💛 Wags N' Wet Noses Dog Rescue