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Higgins – RESERVED

Higgins – RESERVED

I'd really love a home

This is the very handsome Higgins who is absolutely gorgeous, but is looking for a specific home with an experienced owner who can give him the time and training he needs. He is a lively clever young boy who needs his new owner to give him a job to do or take him to agility classes/scent work, and can give him the guidance he needs.

He really enjoys running around playing with his friends here at the Centre, so he could potentially share his home with another young dog, but could also be rehomed as the only dog as long as his new owners have the time to gradually build up the time he is left on his own.

Due to his breed mix, Higgins is an intelligent dog who will need to be mentally as well as physically stimulated in order to prevent him from becoming bored, but he is at a good age to attend puppy classes and learn skills that will help him develop into the beautiful dog he has the potential to be.

Higgins is a really sweet dog who loves human attention once he gets to know you, but he needs to be in an adult only home.

Weight: 14kg

Can you give Higgins the attention, love and training he needs?

Download an application form

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Frequently Asked Questions

Step One: Visit our website

Once a rescue is ready to be rehomed they will be visible on our adoption page. They will each have their own bio which also outlines the home environment they would be best matched to. Please ensure you read the bio before applying to ensure that a particular rescue would be a suitable addition to your family.

Due to the circumstances many of the rescues come into our care under some are not suitable to be rehomed with children/young children. If we have no history on a rescue or following assessment they have displayed behavioural issues we will not allow them to be adopted into a family with children. We appreciate that this can be frustrating but no Rescue Centre would put anyone at potential risk.

Step Two: Complete an application form

After reading a rescues bio you feel you have found an ideal furry addition to your family you will then need to complete an application form. You can submit an application form online or download and print a paper copy of the form, both these options can be found on our adoption page.

The Rescue Office then assess the applications received for each dog or cat. If, after reviewing, they also feel an application is an ideal match they will then be in contact to arrange a meet and greet at the Rescue Centre.

Step Three: Meet and Greet!

Should the animal you applied for be available and a suitable match, we will be in touch to discuss further details. We aim to book a ‘meet and greet’ appointment to say ‘hello’ and to give you an opportunity to properly meet your potential new family member!

Here you will get to know each other, see how you respond to one another and be guided on their history, personality and what we have discovered during their time with us.

*For cats only* We advise anyone who is booked in for a specific cat to ring before arriving for your appointment to double-check they are still available and to save disappointment.

Step Four: The Reserve!

If all goes well during the meet and greet stage, your next step would be to reserve the animal.

There is currently a total adoption fee of:

- - £350 for a puppy
  - £300 for an adult dog
  - £120 for a kitten
  - £100 for an adult cat

These are all split into two payments, one at the reserve stage and the second at adoption, eg: for an adult dog this would be £150 to reserve followed by £150 on completion.

Please note: all dogs with regular visiting dogs or a resident dog already within the household would be required to have a dog introduction before the reservation is placed to ensure they all get on well.

Your potential new canine companion will have a ‘first refusal’ placed on it.

Step Five: The Home visit!

Once you have reserved your perfect match you will then be contacted within 10 working days by a ‘home visitor’ who will arrive at your premises to assess your home, garden and security, and to have a chat. A home visit isn’t anything to worry about and the home visitor will be able to offer you support, help and advice on how to make the transition into your home as smooth as possible.

Step Six: The Adoption

Once your home visit has been completed and, all being well, the final stage will be to book in to complete the adoption paperwork and take your new family member home.

Please remember to Gift Aid

All of our dogs are neutered, vaccinated, are up-to-date with worming and flea treatment, microchipped, and have 4 weeks free Petplan insurance.

Within your adoption pack you will receive information leaflets to help with the transition. You will also receive a ‘post-home check-up’ call between 1-3 months after the adoption to ensure you and your new family member are getting on well.

Please note: anyone within rented accommodation will be asked to provide written permission from their landlord/letting agent by the date of collection.

“How long does the process take?”

From meeting your perfect match and reservation, the adoption process normally takes around a week and a half to two weeks to complete.

“Are the Animals housetrained?”

This is dependant on the route the animal comes through, eg: whether we know if they have lived within a home before or not. Many animals do not intend to be dirty and, if not already trained, are quick to learn. Be prepared, many may need some gentle encouragement or a reminder of the routine!

“Everyone in my street has animals so I know its fine with my letting agent/landlord so will I still need written permission?”

Unfortunately to be able to rehome an animal from us it is essential that we have written permission from your landlord/letting agent. This is mainly for your own security, to prevent you being told at a later date that you are not allowed animals within the property.

“What is a first refusal?”

A first refusal is a temporary hold on an animal before the next stage of adoption can be completed (eg: before the reservation). It means that, although others are entitled to view the animal, nobody is able to reserve he/she until the first refusal has a decision made. First refusals are for a short period of time only and normally occur when a dog introduction needs to take place first or an applicant has been picked for that animal that is a suitable match.

"If I don't have a garden will I be allowed to adopt?"

As long as you can meet the requirements of the animal then it’s OK if you don’t have a garden. Be prepared that you will be required to take a dog out on regular lead walks for toilet breaks and this may make any toilet training needs take a little longer. Not all dogs will be suited to living within a home without a garden so it may take a little longer to find that perfect match but be positive – the right dog always finds you!

"Do you ever have any dogs that can live with children"

Yes. Sadly, often due to the limited history or sad past of many of the dogs, it means that they are often not suitable to live with children or at least younger children, however we do rehome many dogs to families with children but it is so important to us that we ensure that the
dog is going to be well suited within the family environment. If we feel a dog is suitable to live with children we will pop this in their bio on our website with the age of children he/she is compatible with. We will always ensure that all family members meet the dog at the centre to make sure that everyone
is comfortable and we can introduce the dog in a safe and controlled manner.

"I live in an upstairs flat and need a cat that can stay indoors. Do you get them?"

Occasionally we have cats that come into the centre looking for indoor-only home. Sadly, due to the welfare and behaviour tendencies of cats, it is not suitable to place a cat who is suitable to be indoors and outdoors in an indoor-only home. We have had indoor-only cats handed into us before, or cats with medical conditions that mean they are unable to go out. In the event that any cats are indoor-only this will be stated within their bio on our website.

"We've got a holiday booked/are moving house in the next few weeks. Can we still adopt/reserve now?"

Sadly we always advise to wait until after your holiday or move has been completed to follow the adoption route. Unfortunately we are unable to hold animals back for people until after their holiday or move as this can mean they are at the centre longer than they need to be, however, once you are back and settled in and the animal you are interested in is still available by all means apply!

"How often should I worm and flea my pet?"

To keep up-to-date with regular parasite preventative measures it is recommended by the vet to use a flea treatment every 4 weeks and a worming tablet every 3 months. Different prescriptions vary so please always check with your vet on the treatments you are purchasing. We always advise purchasing your flea and worm treatment from a veterinary clinic rather than over the counter to ensure that you have the best preventative care for your pet that is up to veterinary standards. Don’t forget to register your pet with your chosen veterinary clinic straight after adoption and, remember, we have our own veterinary clinic on-site and you are welcome to register with!

"Do you hold applications and keep a waiting list?"

At this current time, due to the business of the centre, we are unable to get back to everyone no matter how hard we try! Therefore, we are unable to hold people’s details in the form of a waiting list and get in touch when something suitable comes in! We do, however, recommend keeping an eye on our website and if anything else does come up which you feel may be suitable please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are strong believers that the right companion always finds you! In the event that you have previously sent in an application for another animal but someone else was just in front, we do keep these electronic copies so you don’t need to fill out another one unless your circumstances have changed. Just email us stating that you previously sent an application and have now seen ‘……….’ and would like your application to be revised for that animal. Again, if that animal is still available and a suitable match, we will be in touch!

St Giles Animal Rescue charity is based at St Giles Animal Centre, where it takes in hundreds of the county’s stray and unwanted animals. Sadly, many are never claimed by their owners and become available for adoption.

We never rehome an animal without careful assessment and a home visit.

Every animal is neutered, microchipped and vaccinated before leaving for its new home.

If you are interested in rehoming one of the many cats*, dogs** or small animals looking for their forever home, please, email your completed application form.

*For cats only you can make an appointment to view our rescued cats without submitting an application form. Please note, we will only be able to show you the cats available on the day of your arrival. We cannot guarantee which cats are available from when you booked your appointment to the day of your visit.

**only send in a application form if you think you have found your ideal canine companion.

All of the animals we have available for adoption are able to be viewed on this website and in person during your pre-booked appointment with a member of our rescue team.

Our main aim is to ensure that all the animals in our care have the most comfortable stay possible until they are able to find their forever homes, therefore, we do not allow visitors to walk around the rescue centre to view the dogs. We have found this to be very stressful for the dogs and can give the prospective adopter an unfair reflection of their true personality. For this reason we have an appointment only policy.