Cornwall BranchHow to Adopt
We are delighted you are thinking about giving a rescue dog or cat a home. Please read through the information below to find out how our adoption process works.
Start Your ApplicationThank you for considering adopting from us
We are delighted you are thinking about giving a rescue dog or cat a home. Please read through the information below, which explains our adoption process and answers some of the most common questions.
To begin, please complete a Perfect Match form for either a dog or a cat using the links further down. The form can be completed online and submitted directly to our Centre. There is no need to download or email it separately.
Once submitted, your form uploads straight to our system. You should receive an email confirmation, although this can occasionally land in your spam folder.
Common questions before you apply
Can I visit the Centre to browse?
Our dog kennels are not open for general public viewing, as this helps reduce stress for the dogs in our care.
Our cattery is usually open during our normal opening hours, but we recommend calling ahead before visiting so we can ensure a member of the team is available to assist you.
I rent my home — do I need landlord consent?
Yes. If you live in rented accommodation, we require written consent from your landlord or housing provider confirming you are permitted to keep pets.
Recent changes in legislation have strengthened tenants’ rights in relation to keeping pets. However, we still require confirmation that pets are permitted in your home before we can proceed with an adoption.
If obtaining landlord consent is proving difficult or you would like advice, please contact us and we will do our best to guide you.
Written consent can be uploaded with your Perfect Match form or emailed to info@rspcacornwall.org.uk, clearly stating your name and postcode in the subject line. Applications cannot progress without landlord confirmation.
I can't see a suitable animal online
Only a small number of animals ready for adoption are visible on our Find a Pet page at any one time. Many more are undergoing assessment and preparation behind the scenes.
We encourage you to complete a form even if there is not a specific animal currently advertised. We may already have a suitable match at the Centre who is not yet listed. Applications are retained for three months.
What information do I need to provide?
To help us assess your suitability, we ask for:
- Photos of your home and garden, including the areas where your new pet will spend most of their time
- Landlord consent if you rent your home
These can be uploaded with your form or emailed separately. Providing all requested information at the outset helps us progress your application more quickly.
Ready to apply?
Complete the relevant Perfect Match form below to begin your adoption journey.
Providing all requested information helps us progress your application quickly.
Our adoption process
Here's what happens after you submit your Perfect Match form.
Application review
Our rehoming team will carefully review your Perfect Match form. If we believe there may be a suitable match, one of the team will call you to talk through your application in more detail.
Meeting the animal
If things look promising, we will invite you to meet the dog or cat in person at the Centre. All regular household members should meet the dog before adoption. Some dogs may require more than one visit to help build confidence and familiarity.
Resident dogs
If you already have a dog at home, or one that visits frequently, we will arrange a meet and greet at the Centre to ensure everyone is comfortable before proceeding.
Local support
In rare cases, for animals who may require ongoing behavioural guidance or additional support, we may prioritise homes within approximately one hour of the Centre. This allows us to provide appropriate follow up.
Timescales
The adoption process takes time because we prioritise the needs of each individual animal. It is not usually possible to take your new pet home on the first visit.
Applications & follow up
We receive a high number of applications. If you have not heard from us within 10 days, please feel free to contact us for an update. Your application will remain on file for three months.
Social media
Dogs and cats may also be featured on our social media channels. If you see an animal you are interested in, please follow the link provided to complete the official Perfect Match form.
Adoption contributions
Adopting from us is not a purchase. It is a charitable contribution that enables us to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs and cats across Cornwall.
Your adoption contribution helps fund:
• Veterinary assessment and treatment
• Microchipping
• Holding vaccination
• Behavioural assessment and support
• Daily care, housing and staffing whilst the animal is with us
The adoption contribution does not cover the true cost of rehoming a dog or cat. Our work is funded through a combination of adoption contributions, fundraising and donations. Every adoption helps us continue supporting animals who may require longer stays, specialist care or complex behavioural input.
Current standard contributions
While these are our standard guidelines, contributions may occasionally be adjusted higher or lower depending on the individual animal's specific needs.
- Veterinary health check
- Microchipped
- Holding vaccination
- Behavioural assessment
- 1 month free Petplan insurance
- Veterinary health check
- Microchipped
- Holding vaccination
- 5-week training course
- 1 month free Petplan insurance
- Veterinary health check
- Microchipped
- Holding vaccination
- Behavioural assessment
- 1 month free Petplan insurance
- Veterinary health check
- Microchipped
- Holding vaccination
- Behavioural assessment
- 1 month free Petplan insurance
Dogs and cats receive one month’s free insurance with Petplan. We strongly encourage adopters to take out their own insurance after this period. Payment can be made by cash, debit or credit card. We are unable to accept cheques.
Adoption day
The arrangements for collection will be discussed with you in advance, as protocols vary depending on the individual animal. The adoption contribution is payable when your dog or cat is collected or delivered, and all necessary paperwork will be completed at that time.
We stock a range of essential items in our Centre shop, including leads, collars, harnesses, bowls and food. Any items purchased can be added to your adoption contribution on the day.
Ongoing support
A few weeks after adoption, we will contact you to check that everything is settling well. We remain available for advice and support at any stage after adoption.
If your circumstances change and you are no longer able to care for your dog or cat, please contact us directly.
Things to bear in mind
Welcoming a new pet into your home is a significant commitment. A little planning at the outset can make all the difference to a successful adoption.
- Upcoming holidays? If you have a holiday booked within the next three months, we recommend waiting until you return before adopting. Dogs and cats need time to settle into a new environment, routine and family. Introducing boarding, pet sitters or further change too soon can be unsettling for them.
- Recently lost a pet? It is important to reflect on whether this feels like the right time for you to adopt again. Everyone experiences grief differently, and there is no set timeline. A new dog or cat will bring their own personality, needs and challenges.
- Had an elderly pet? It is worth considering the level of time, training and energy a younger animal may require. We often have older dogs and cats in our care who may be a wonderful match for a quieter household.
- Location matters. Please note that animals remain at the Centre where they are currently based. We are unable to transfer animals between Centres for adoption purposes. If you have seen a dog or cat online, please check that the location is listed as our Cornwall Branch Centre before applying.
Applications and matching
For some animals, particularly puppies and kittens, we receive a very high number of applications. While this gives us a strong pool of potential homes, it also means we are unable to contact every applicant individually.
If an animal is marked as reserved and you have not been contacted, this means another home has been selected on this occasion. This does not mean there is anything unsuitable about your home. It simply reflects the specific needs of that individual animal at that time.
As mentioned earlier, in rare cases we may prioritise homes within approximately one hour of our Centre near St Columb, particularly where additional follow up or behavioural support may be beneficial.
If you have not heard from us and would like an update, please feel free to contact the Centre directly.
Thank you again for considering adoption. If you have any questions at any stage, our team will be happy to help.
Start your adoption journey today
Complete the relevant Perfect Match form below and one of our team will be in touch.
Your adoption helps us continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals across Cornwall.