Underheugh Ark FAQs
If you have a question about how we work then please check out our FAQs to see if your question has been asked before.
Click the links below to jump to that question.
–Which areas do you rehome to?
–I live in a flat and/or I don’t have a garden will you let me rehome a dog?
–I have children – can I rehome a dog from you?
–What are your adoption criteria?
–What is involved in a home check?
–After adoption, if there are major problems or my circumstances change can I return the animal?
–Will the animal be fit and healthy when we adopt them?
–Will the animal be neutered/spayed when we adopt them?
–Do you have puppies and kittens?
–Can I view the dogs/cats in the kennels/cattery?
–Do you have dogs that can live with cats?
–Can I adopt a cat if I already have a cat in the home?
–How much does it cost to adopt?
–What do you mean when you say having experience with a reactive dog?
–How can I volunteer to help the Rescue?
Which areas do you rehome to?
As we are a small rescue and as we provide support and full lifetime back up we only normally only rehome to Inverclyde, Glasgow, Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire and parts of West Dunbartonshire & Argyll. Rabbits and hens can be homed across Scotland.
I live in a flat and/or I don’t have a garden – will you let me rehome a dog?
Yes, we will. As long as you are committed to taking the dog for a walk then we are happy to rehome a dog to you once we match you with a suitable dog
I have children – can I rehome a dog from you?
As most of our dogs are strays and/or have had difficult pasts we do not rehome our dogs to anyone with children under the age of 10, or to people who regularly have children under the age of 10 visiting. Some of our dogs are only suitable to live in adult only homes.
What are your adoption criteria?
We don’t rehome our dogs with children under 10, although some dogs may have a higher age restriction. Any resident dogs must be neutered/spayed. Our dogs will not cope with being left alone for longer than 4 hours; some of them less than that.
We require a physical home check to be carried out.
What is involved in a home check?
Someone from the rescue will be in touch to arrange a suitable time to visit and have a chat about what is involved in adopting a rescue. Topics may include identifying hazards in the home/garden or local area, routines for when you have to leave, what arrangements for holidays and any other future plans. You can ask any questions you may have and to discuss available animals and their specific needs. If you pass the home check but there are no suitable animals to adopt then your details will be retained and you can contact us to discuss any future animals that you see on our facebook page or website in the future.
After adoption, if there are major problems or my circumstances change can I return the animal?
Yes, we provide Rescue Back Up (“RBU”). Whilst we would prefer to work with you first and we are always available to give you advice and support to try and resolve any issues be, we will always take back any animal that you have adopted from us if your circumstances change and it is not possible for them to remain with you. You should never give away or sell any animal that has been adopted from us but should contact us to arrange for that animal to be returned.
Will the animal be fit and healthy when we adopt them?
All our animals are vet checked and if they have any underlying issues these will be told to you prior to you meeting them and we will provide any necessary ongoing vet treatment for those conditions
Will the animal be neutered/spayed when we adopt them?
Yes all our animals are neutered/spayed except for female rabbits who won’t be rehomed to live with an unneutered male rabbit
Do you have puppies and kittens?
We rarely have puppies or kittens and we have closed our waiting list for them
Can I view the dogs/cats in the kennels/cattery?
Our dogs/cats are in foster or at a private kennels and cattery and as such cannot be viewed until you have had a home check and a suitable animal identified as suitable for you
Do you have dogs that can live with cats?
As most of our dogs have been strays they have not been cat tested and so we do not rehome them where there are cats as we cannot put your family pet in any potential harms way.
Can I adopt a cat if I already have a cat in the home?
We do rehome our cats into homes with other cats if we feel they will enjoy the company of a buddy.
How much does it cost to adopt
The adoption fee for a dog is £150, a cat £30, kittens £50 (though rarely available)
What do you mean when you say having experience with a reactive dog?
A reactive dog doesn’t mean they are a bad dog. There may be situations which trigger a reaction towards another dog, person or object perhaps because of a previous bad experience, a noise, lack of experience or socialisation or they simply are experiencing a sensory overload are overwhelmed and don’t know how to deal with the situation. The dog may react by barking, growling and lunging which can make the dog look aggressive or by being extremely nervous, hiding, freezing or attempting to flee. To help a reactive dog you need to whenever possible avoid situations that will make the dog uncomfortable. A behaviourist can help you with coping techniques. If you adopt a reactive dog from us we will provide ongoing support whilst they settle into their new homes.
How can I volunteer to help the Rescue?
Unfortunately our dogs and cats are boarded at a private kennels so we do not have any volunteering opportunities there. We do have volunteers that walk our dogs or take them to the secure runs but the number of volunteers is limited by our insurance. If we have any volunteering vacancies for dog walking we will post on our Facebook page.
If you are able to volunteer with helping with transport, such as picking up donations, taking food from the stores to fosterers, animals to vets then please contact us via the volunteering form. If you are able to help at any fundraising events please contact us via the volunteering form