How To Adopt A Dog – And Get It Insured

Forbes Staff

Published: Jan 26, 2023, 11:39am

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Keen to adopt a dog? We explain how the adoption process works and why insuring your dog is so important for you and for your pet.

Do your research

The decision to adopt a dog shouldn’t be taken lightly. Dogs can bring huge joy to their owners, but it’s vital that they are well looked after – and that requires time, commitment and money. 

The RSPCA says a dog can cost more than £16,000 over the course of its lifetime. 

Our research showed one of the biggest challenges for pet owners is the expense of taking care of them, particularly in regards to healthcare. Pet insurance can help with this and more – check the ‘Insure your dog’ section below. 

On average, dog insurance costs £20.10 a month, or £241.30 a year. However, the price you’ll pay will be determined by factors such as your pet’s breed, age, medical history and where you live – vet costs vary between regions.

It will typically cost a donation of £200 – £400 to adopt a dog through a charity. The younger the dog, the more expensive it will be.

Compare Pet Insurance Quotes

Choose from a range of policies from leading insurers

Choose a dog

There are two main ways to adopt a dog. You can find a local rescue centre or apply through a bigger charity such as the RSPCA, Dogs’ Trust or Blue Cross, which allow you to pick and apply for a dog online. 

You’ll be able to compare breeds, age, sex, personality and the location of the kennels where they reside – where you will visit, and ultimately collect your dog, if successful.

Pet charities should ensure your dog has had all required check ups and routine procedures before handing it over to you. This will be covered by the adoption fee. 

Complete an application

You’ll have to fill out an application form and go through an interview process as part of the charity’s screening procedure. 

A charity will want to know information about you and your household to ensure you can provide a comfortable, stable and healthy environment for a new canine family member. It will want to know details such as:

  • whether you own your home or rent
  • if you rent, whether you’ve asked your landlord for permission to adopt a dog
  • whether you have a secure garden
  • the number of adults/children in your household and the ages of the children
  • whether children visit 
  • if you have any other dogs, their ages and whether they’re neutered and have up-to-date vaccines
  • whether you have any other animals
  • the amount of daily exercise you expect to give a dog
  • how many hours in a day you expect to leave a dog alone
  • whether you’re planning to move soon
  • whether you have holidays planned.

You’ll also be asked about what you’re looking for in a dog.

The centre’s staff will discuss the information you provide with you, as well as everything you need to know about your chosen dog. A meeting will be arranged for you to get to know the dog, if they think you’ll be a good match.

Meet your dog

This is when you’ll see your dog up close for the first time. 

It’s best that everyone from your household is at the initial meeting to rule out allergies and any other potential issues – for example, some dogs do not like children. Another meeting may be arranged for anyone who cannot attend.

Arrange a possible home visit

A member of staff from the charity may visit your home to discuss your new dog with you and help you settle them in. They will be able to advise on anything from preparing your home and garden to shopping for the right food, collar, lead, bed and more.

However, if the kennels are some distance from where you live, the discussions may take place over the phone and when you visit the charity location.

Collect your dog

If everything goes smoothly, a date will be arranged for when you can collect your dog. This will usually be by car, although if you do not drive or have access to a car, the charity may be able to make alternative arrangements to get the dog to your home.

If you are picking up by car, you’ll need to make sure your vehicle is prepared – Rule 57 of the Highway Code says dogs must be ‘suitably restrained’, which can be achieved using a dog crate or dog restraint harness. If your dog is in the boot section of a hatchback, you’ll need to fit a boot guard.

Again, the charity will advise on the best tactics for your dog – but make sure you’ve got everything sorted out before you arrive at the kennels. The dog won’t be released into your care if it doesn’t look like you’ll be able to transport it safely.

Once you have your dog

Your new dog should be spayed or neutered, fully-vaccinated and have up-to-date flea and worming treatment. It should also be microchipped. This is a legal requirement for dogs aged 8 weeks and over.

At this point, you should register your dog with a vet, who will be able to advise on routine treatments and who will be on hand if any problems arise with the animal’s health and wellbeing.

The charity will continue to have an interest in the dog once it is in your possession, so you can expect a couple of phone calls to discuss how he or she is settling in.

The early days and weeks of an adoption can be a difficult period for all concerned as the dog adjusts to its new surroundings and you and your family adapt to having a new and often demanding presence in the house.

Charities usually run support lines so you can call for advice if a problem arises, such as the dog getting distressed overnight or when left alone.

Ultimately, if you decide you cannot or do not want to keep the dog, the charity should be willing to discuss it being returned to its care, although this would always be the last option.

Insure your dog

If you adopt a dog, you’ll have the opportunity to provide it with the care it may not have received previously. 

You’re not required by law to buy pet insurance, but it’s good protection against the cost of unexpected vet bills, which can run into hundreds and often thousands of pounds.

Our latest research shows that 53% of Brits underestimate the cost of a pet, which now amounts to £16,080 for a dog over the course of its lifetime. Despite vet bills making up the largest chunk of this sum, 44% of Brits admit to not having pet insurance, with 50% of pet owners spending £500 – £1000 a year on veterinary care.

In addition to vet fees, dog insurance can also cover a range of other costs. It can provide third liability cover, helping to cover legal costs if you’re sued due to your dog injuring someone or damaging someone else’s property. 

Other benefits include cover if your dog is lost or stolen, and for kennel fees should you fall ill and need to stay in hospital. Benefits differ between policies and may be included as standard or offered as an optional extra, potentially at an additional cost.

It’s best to take dog insurance out as early as possible so you’re covered for any emergency that may arise. Most pet insurers don’t cover pre-existing conditions – illnesses that your dog acquired before you took out the policy. 

You can choose between four main types of policy depending on the level of cover necessary:

Lifetime

This is the most comprehensive type of pet insurance policy, and therefore the most expensive. It’s popular with pet owners as it offers cover for accidental injury, illness and conditions which can last your pet’s lifetime.

Typically there’s a cap on how much you can claim per medical condition, and there may be an annual cap on how much you can claim in total. Once you reach the limit for a condition, you’ll be required to cover any further costs for that particular illness yourself.

However, if you renew the policy at the end of the policy term – which is usually 12 months – the available cover will be reinstated.

Maximum Benefit

This type of policy provides cover for accidental injury, illness and medical conditions. You will be able to claim up to a set amount per condition provided you renew the policy.

Once you reach the limit you’ll have to cover any future costs for the condition. 

Time-limited

As well as a cap on the amount you can claim per condition, there are time limits on how long you have to use the cover for each condition. This starts when you first claim for a condition and usually lasts for 12 months. Once you reach a monetary cap or time cap – whichever arrives first – you will have to start covering the costs for the condition yourself.

Accident-Only

The cheapest type of pet insurance policy, it only covers accidental injury, up to a fixed sum. Once the sum runs out you will have to cover further treatment.

You can view what we found to be the best dog insurance policies and compare deals.

Compare Pet Insurance Quotes

Choose from a range of policies from leading insurers

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