You have decided you want to adopt or foster a dog. What happens next?

First, thank you for your interest in adopting (or fostering) a SOS Italian Setters rescue dog.

We have a comprehensive adoption process to ensure that the right dog is matched to the right home. Our flexible approach to adoption ensures we match the needs of the dog with the suitability of the home on offer.

Many of the frequently asked questions are answered below. However, if having read the FAQ’s you still have an unanswered query, please contact us via our Contact page.

If having read the FAQ’s below you wish to proceed with your application click on the link and it will take you to the application form.

How do I apply to adopt a dog?

Our website has a dedicated page which shows a profile of the dogs we currently have available for adoption. Once you have decided upon the dog which you would like to adopt fill in the application form and send it to us. In order to avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend you read the FAQ’s below as we believe these will assist in your decision making and determining whether you fulfil our basic criteria.

You can see our dogs currently available for adoption HERE.

I still want to adopt but I did not see a suitable dog on your adoption page. Can you help me?

Sometimes this happens. Do not worry as we are always sadly having new dogs arrive into rescue for adoption. You can fill in the form without showing a particular dog.

What happens once we have received your application.

Having received your application of interest for adopting or fostering one of our dogs the first stage we undertake is to check your form to ensure you meet our basic requirements.

If you pass the initial check the next stage will be a telephone conversation with one of our home checkers. This allows us the opportunity to introduce ourselves whilst providing you with the opportunity to ask any further questions you may have about the rehoming process.

Following the telephone interview, we will arrange for an experienced home checker to visit you at a convenient time when all the family living at the potential home are present. During their visit they will inspect your home and garden for suitability for a dog and to ensure it meets our minimum requirements i.e. 6-foot-high enclosed gardens etc. They will complete a form in your presence to ensure all information is accurately recorded.

There are circumstances where the home checker may identify an area of your home or garden which they recommend as requiring rectification before your application can be progressed i.e. hole in a fence, a missing lock on a garden gate etc. In these circumstances we defer the application until we have received evidence i.e. photograph or in some cases an additional home checker visit prior to progression. You should not be deterred or dismayed if this happens as we work from the premise that all dogs are curious and will, certainly in the early days, explore their surroundings and if possible, get out. 

Following the home visit the home checker will send the completed form to us for final verification and approval of your application. We will then inform you of the outcome of your application.

In exceptional circumstances we will proceed with video interviews/home checks.

My application has been successful, now what?

Congratulations, your new family member is just a short wait away. However, prior to transport we undertake a final veterinary assessment in Italy to ensure your dog is passed as medically fit for travel. When passed fit the dog will be issued with medical documents, a travel passport and an Export Health Certificate (EHC) issued by veterinary authorities in Italy. We register the dog with DEFRA and arrange transport with an international animal transport company (T2 DEFRA registered).

You will be provided with a date when your dog will be transported and delivered to your front door. The dog must not be moved for 48 hours following arrival . This a legal requirement (short walks and trips to the vets are obviously permitted) but the dog needs to remain at the address during that time

Will you keep in contact after I have adopted?

Yes!! We will remain in contact with you to ensure you are fully supported throughout the life of the dog. The contact may vary depending on need, but rest assured you are never alone. We normally like to visit at least once in the first year to make certain the dog has settled into his new home and that you have no problems. It is a condition of adoption that the dog remains the property of SOS Italian Setters.

We actively encourage your participation on our Facebook group page where you can share your experiences with other adoptees and potential adopters.

If I have a change of circumstances, can I give the dog back?

It is a condition of the adoption agreement that if circumstances change and you are no longer able to keep the dog it is returned to us. We never judge a person for taking this responsible and often difficult decision which could be based on many factors i.e. financial, family pressures etc.

Do you have a minimum age requirement for children?

We do not have blanket age restrictions for dogs being adopted where there are children in the family. However, our family/home inspection process looks very carefully into ensuring the applicant is aware of their responsibilities and the home is suitable. Each dog offered for adoption will have its own requirements for the ages of children, and this is specified in the adoption information.

Can I adopt if I have a cat or other pet?

You can still adopt one of our dogs if you have a cat providing we have been able to assess the dog’s interaction with cats. Read the adoption information for the dog you are interested in to find out if it has been tested with cats.

We have been asked if our dogs can be rehomed to families with other pets, such as rabbits, birds etc. The basic answer is yes, but it is not possible for us to assess how our dogs will react in all circumstances. In such circumstances we ask the prospective adoptee to contact us prior to submitting their application.

Do you have a maximum age whereby I will be unable to adopt a dog?

The simple answer is no. However, we do take a responsible approach to ensuring the age of the dog suits the potential adopter.

I do not have a garden and live in a flat?

We do not rehome, even on a temporary basis, our dogs into homes where there is no garden or where the outdoor space is communal.

Can I have one of your dogs if I live in rented accommodation?

The simple answer is yes! But we will require a written verifiable letter of consent from the landlord stating approval.

When my dog arrives can I let it off the lead?

We do not recommend you let your dog off the lead until you have established a strong relationship with it and have tested its recall in a secure fenced environment. It should be remembered that many areas now have rules which regulate the manner in which dogs can be lead-free, as such we advise you contact your local council and enquire about this. You should also be aware that whilst you may know your dog people around you do not and may feel uncomfortable with your pet roaming free.

We do not recommend letting your dog off the lead in areas they are not familiar i.e. where visiting seaside, countryside or areas of potential danger i.e. near cliffs.

My existing dog is not neutered, is this a problem?

We believe neutering is a key aspect of responsible dog ownership.

We will consider applications for our dogs to go to homes with existing dogs that are not neutered providing there is a proven medical reason. If in doubt please enquire first.

All SOS Italian Setters dogs, unless of a young age, are neutered prior to adoption. In cases where unneutered dogs are adopted, we have a requirement that they are neutered at a suitable age. In these rare circumstances where a dog is not neutered, your adoption agreement will state that at an age approved by a qualified veterinary professional this must be undertaken and proof provided.

Can I adopt a dog if I work?

We will only allow certain dogs to be adopted by full-time workers in exceptional circumstances. However, you must make arrangements for someone to visit during the day e.g. a registered dog walker/sitter and verifiable proof supplied to us.

If the dog has been in a foster home, it means that we do have an idea how each dog reacts to being left for certain periods of time. Please let us know what your “typical” day is like so we can try and match the right dog with your needs.

Do you allow dogs to be adopted for working purposes?

Under no circumstances will we allow our dogs to be adopted for working purposes i.e. hunting. In addition, we do not let dogs go to homes where they are kept outdoors in kennels, gardens or runs.

How much is your adoption fee?

Adoption fees vary depending on the age and medical needs of the dog. The adoption fee is is an important contribution towards our general running costs and they never cover the cost of care and transport of the dog prior to adoption.

Do I need to take my adopted dog to training classes?

We strongly encourage adopters to attend positive and reward-based training classes. We can assist with identifying appropriate classes if required.

Adoption application

If you wish to apply to adopt a SOS Italian Setters dog, please click HERE and complete the form.