Stubbington Ark animal rehoming animal adoption

The Stubbington Ark (RSPCA Solent Branch) Animal Shelter
174-176 Ranvilles Lane
Fareham, Hants
PO14 3EZ
United Kingdom
Tel 01329 667541
Fax 01329 665262
Email Us

How Do I Adopt An Animal?

With so many animals to choose from, we welcome you to visit the shelter between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm, seven days a week.

Upon arrival at reception, the staff will ask you to complete an adoption questionnaire specific to the animal you wish to adopt. This document is designed to obtain as much information as possible regarding your lifestyle and home environment. (more info) If you live in private rented accommodation written permission must be obtained from the landlord for the pet. Such authorisation must be verifiable and should be on an official letter heading or similar, not just a hand-written note.

If you live in MoD rented accommodation written permission must be obtained from the housing officer.

If you live in council or housing association accommodation, you must adhere to the housing provider’s pet policy and provide written consent where necessary.

Houses and bungalows should not present problems if they are in a safe area and adequately fenced.

Maisonettes are acceptable if they have direct access to a secure garden area where a dog can be exercised and given toilet facilities or a cat can develop a territory.

Ground floor, and even first floor flats, will be accepted if they have direct access to a secure garden area where a dog can be exercised and given toilet facilities or a cat can develop a territory.

Houseboats, caravans etc. will be considered, again providing they have an adequate secure territorial area for the pet.

Shared gardens are now common and permission should be obtained in writing from the council or other leaser where applicable.

It is also important to ensure the party sharing has no objection to a pet on the property and also confirms this in writing.
The adoption questionnaire is handed to a Receptionist who can answer questions regarding adoption policies whilst checking the questionnaire. If our conditions of adoption are met, you will be required to provide one form of identification with your full name and address. Examples include a driving licence, utility bill, or a repeat prescription.
You will then be given a clearance slip which allows you to view the animals available for adoption. This form is valid for three months and must be brought with you at each visit.
Once you have found an animal you are particularly interested in, contact a member of staff covering that department, who will discuss the animal’s requirements with you and assess it’s compatibility with your personal circumstances. (more info) The staff will then take the aimal out of it’s accommodation in order for you to get to know him /her a little better. Dogs must only be walked on shelter grounds. Whilst waiting for the pre-homing visit most prospective adopters take the opportunity to visit the selected pet to strengthen the relationship and can also highlight any unforeseen characteristics which could affect the decision to adopt. We are unable to reserve animals which are not yet available for adoption.
If you are happy with your choice, we will reserve the animal until all members of the adopting family have met the new pet to ensure compatibility. (more info) You cannot adopt an animal on behalf of another person. It is particularly important with dogs that children between the age of 5 and 14 and other family dogs be present.
Your application will then be forwarded to a voluntary home-visitor for your area, who will perform a home visit within five to ten days of reservation. (more info) The home-visitor will arrange this visit with you over the telephone for a mutually convenient time. Our Home Visitors like to see all the family and existing pets. To prevent animals remaining at the Shelter longer than necessary, home visits are carried out as quickly as possible, the time depending on where you live and the availability of home visitors in your area.
If all goes well, the animal is yours - it’s as simple as that! (more info) If the interview is successful, then ring the Shelter to arrange an appointment to collect your new pet.

The home visitor will have issued you with a pass slip which you must bring to the Shelter to effect an adoption.

All dogs adopted from us must be equipped with a collar and lead prior to leaving the shelter.

We will supply a temporary Identity Tag which must be replaced as soon as possible with your own. Microchipping does not relieve you of this legal duty.

Cats and other small animals and birds must be transported from the shelter in an escape - proof container.

If for any reason you are unable to keep your adopted pet the RSPCA requires you to return it to the Shelter.

Please note:

All animals adopted are given a final health check before they leave the shelter. Any animal on treatment or convalescence will not be allowed to leave without clearance from the vet except where the vet considers recovery will be improved in a "home" situation.

Under the terms of adoption, the RSPCA are not liable for expenses of any kind arising from sickness developed subsequent to adoption, either by animals apparently in normal health at the time of adoption or for the future treatment of animals under treatment but released by the vet. However, at this shelter, in the interest of the customer and what might be deemed moral responsibility, we will always consider help with veterinary problems though these should always be made through the shelter management and our own consultant vet.

All adopters are asked to contact the shelter should any veterinary problems arise as soon as possible if we are to help. We cannot undertake to cover fees paid by adopters who consult a vet other than the Shelter vet as such expenses are likely to be more than charges made by our own vet. Exceptions will be made in the case of emergency, in cases where the shelter may be unobtainable for help, or where, in consultation with the shelter it is deemed in the best interest of the animal for treatment to be carried out locally.

It is Shelter Policy that all Dogs, Cats, Rabbits and Ferrets adopted must be neutered. The only exceptions are when the animal is too young or ill, in which case a voucher will be issued to allow neutering at the earliest possible time after adoption, dependant on sexual maturity and the advice of the adopters vet.