The Underheugh Ark
The Underheugh Ark Rescue & Sanctuary is a volunteer run registered Charity based in Gourock. We care passionately about helping a wide variety of stray and unwanted animals from across the UK. The dogs & cats are assessed in a private kennels, where they stay until suitable foster homes are available. Our Sanctuary provides a forever home to horses, donkeys, cockerels, turkeys, aviary birds and reptiles to name a few and is located in Gourock.
We only home our dogs & cats within our area which is Glasgow, Renfrewshire, North Ayrshire, Inverclyde and parts of West Dunbartonshire & Argyll. Rabbits, hens & ferrets can be homed to all areas of Scotland. We provide full lifetime rescue back up and support so no animal that has come from us will ever find themselves homeless.
If you are considering giving away a pet we can offer help and advice and whenever possible we will try to make space to keep it safe. Learn more about us here.
MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT DO WE DO
We try and find suitable and loving homes for all the dogs and cats in our care as well as rabbits, chickens, guinea pigs, ferrets and other small furries! We also provide sanctuary for homeless horses, donkeys, terrapins and aviary birds as well as some dogs with medical issues that will stay under the protection of the Rescue for the rest of their lives.
Once an animal arrives at our Rescue it is given a medical assessment and any immediate treatment is provided.
Cats will either go straight into foster or into a cattery where they will be assessed as to the sort of home they will require.
Horses, donkeys, small animals, reptiles & birds will go into our facility at Inverclyde where most of them will stay for the rest of their lives
In the case of dogs we kennel them for at least two weeks. During that time we do a behavioural assessment to find out more about their character, what training is required, whether they are dog / people friendly and any behavioural issues that may need working on. Many of the dogs are strays from pounds who have been overlooked by other rescues due to behavioural or health issues. We believe every dog should have a chance of a happy life and so help those dogs through their issues and fears. It is therefore important to us that the right dog is matched to the right person or family. As we are a small Rescue who want to be on hand to support our dogs we have taken the decision to only home within areas near to us. We are happy to rehome rabbits and hens to people living in other parts of Scotland
We also take in animals that owners relinquish when their circumstances change or they are unable to provide the care that the animal requires.
FOSTERING PROCESS
Some dogs cannot cope in kennels so we ask people to foster them on a temporary basis until a suitable adopter is found. Other older dogs or those with ongoing medical needs will go and live with a fosterer for as long as needed; sometimes for the rest of their life. When fostering a dog all food and medical expenses are met by the Rescue until they are permanently homed. If you are interested in fostering click to complete an application form (link) and someone will contact you to have a chat and arrange a home check.
The criteria for fostering a dog depends on the individual dog’s needs but we do not rehome our dogs to anyone who either has, or regularly has visits from, children under the age of 10. It is very rare that we have dogs that can live with cats
ADOPTION PROCESS
Once we have a better understanding of the animal’s personality and behaviour we are able to put them forward for adoptIon to a new loving “forever” home. Their details are listed on this website. If you are interested in adoption even if you don’t have a specific animal in mind please complete an application form . It is important to us that we match the right family to the right animal and we perform home checks to ensure you are suited to each other. In the case of dogs, once a home check has been passed, potential adopters and their family are able to then visit the private boarding kennels to build up a bond and walk the dog. If suited you can have a home trial to see that the dog is at ease and can settle in. The criteria for adopting a dog depends on the individual dog’s needs but we do not rehome our dogs to anyone who either has, or regularly has visits from, children under the age of 10. It is very rare that we have dogs that can live with cats. Many of our dogs cannot live with another dog and many need someone who has experience of reactive dogs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE ANIMALS CLICK ON THE APPROPRIATE “NEEDING A HOME” TAB
GIVING UP YOUR PET
Sadly people’s circumstances change and you may find yourself unable to keep your beloved pet. If this happens to you please complete the “Relinquish form” and we will try and help you find a new loving home for them. If ideally you would like to keep your pet but their behaviour is causing you problems please message our Facebook page.