If you would like to enquire about adopting an animal, please make sure you have read through all of the information on our Animal Care page about which type of animal is suitable for you. Also study the information on this page with regards to our policies.  If you still feel adoption is for you send the following details to enquiries@hornchurchpetservices.co.uk or hxchipper@live.co.uk

*  Name
*  Address
*  Home Tel.No./ Mobile Tel.No.
*  Email:
*  Work Patterns/Regular commitments, Max hours per day a dog would be left alone             * How many adults in your home are in paid employment?                                                                   *Do you live in house or flat?  Owned or Rented? (Proof of Landlord approval needed)                                                                                                                                                              * Approximate size of garden?  Is fencing secure on both sides and what is the height of fencing at the lowest point?  Do you have a secure gate of approx 6ft on entries and exits?

*  No.of Adults living at home / No.of children living at home / Ages of children 
*  Any regular visiting children/pets?
*  Current Pets (Please state species, breed, gender and age)
*  Current pets vaccinated? Current pets neutered? Current pets microchipped?

*  I would like: Dog/Cat/Rabbit/Guinea Pig/Other
*  Breed (please also state if you have experience of a particular breed)
*  Small/medium/large, long/short haired
*  Ideal age
*  Lively or Lazy
*  Would you consider a dog with disabilities/needing slight behaviour modifications? 
*  Would you consider short-term fostering?

* Have you been homechecked by another rescue or animal welfare organisation?

   If so, please give details.

** If you are enquiring about one of the animals on our website please use the name of the animal as the title of your email and send a mobile phone text message to 07523-180744 if possible

The Adoption Process

Once you have made the exciting decision to adopt a needy animal one of our volunteers will visit you for a quick friendly homecheck. This will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have. Homes with children must complete The Kennel Club 'Safe and Sound' portal found here www.safetyarounddogs.org.uk . In the case of dogs we offer the option of a 2 week trial period with your potential new pet in order to determine if you are suited to each other.  Due to time taken chasing adoption fees in the past the full £175 adoption fee is now payable upon receipt of the dog. Should the dog not be suitable a refund of £125 will be made with the remainder covering the dogs emergency care. NOTE THIS IS A DONATION TO THE RESCUE WHICH IS COMPLETELY NON-PROFIT HENCE GOES TOWARDS NEEDY ANIMALS We do ask that you consider this option carefully as the animal will not be offered to other potential homes during this period which could result in missed homing opportunities. You will be asked to complete a simple contract of care for this period.  

At the point of adoption you will be asked to sign a duty of responsibility and care agreement of which you will receive a copy together with any health records and microchip number/details. Adopters should contact Hornchurch Pet Services or Petlog if they move house in order to re-register the microchip. See our 'Pet Services - Microchipping' page for details of microchipping.

Please note. Adopting a rescue animal, as with buying from a breeder is a huge committment.  We expect our adopters to take the adoption process very seriously. The reasons for questions , homechecks , compulsory neutering , microchipping and vaccination is to ensure a healthy and secure future for the animals. With the abandonment situation being worse than ever with over 100,000 dogs a year being lost or abandoned and one dog every hour being put to sleep in the U.K. these practicalities are more important than ever. If breeding was properly regulated and all animals microchipped at point of sale we would not have such a desperate situation in the U.K.

Please note we do not encourage animals to be taken on as baby substitutes. Naturally they are fantastic company and we hope they will be your best friend but animals are not part of the human species and therefore need a particular type of care to be happy and secure.  Adopters hoping to start a family should consider the effect a new baby will have on their dog. If a dog is overly pampered, spoilt and treated like a baby substitute they are more likely to resent a baby being introduced to the household. We encourage people to treat dogs as dogs giving them the security, exercise, stimulation and food a dog needs. Dogs are far happier and relaxed knowing their place and having routine. A dog taught boundaries is ultimately a secure dog happier to accept other animals and children into their lives. One of the top reasons for dogs being rehomed is a new baby in the house. The number 1 reason is behavioural problems due to lack of basic training.  Cats can actually be a great alternative to dogs! They tend to be more independant and are usually happy left to their own devices for longer periods.

When adopting one of our animals you will sign a contract agreeing to the following:- 

  • I agree that the animal is being adopted for myself and will not be sold, adopted, or given to another party. 
  • Dogs: I agree that the animal will not be allowed outdoors without proper supervision. When taking my dog outdoors, they will be on a secure harness and wear proper ID.
  • Dogs: I agree that this dog is to be a companion animal, not a guard dog. The dog will live inside my home, not outdoors and will not be tied up.
  • Dogs: I agree that only the scientifically proven Positive Reinforcement training methods will be used. No choking, hitting, shocking or punish based training which could psychologically or physically damage the dog.
  • I agree to care for the animal in a humane manner and be a responsible animal guardian. This includes supplying adequate food, water, shelter, attention, and medical care.  
  • I agree that if at any point I cannot keep the animal, I will return him/her to the original rescue without requesting a fee.  
  • I understand and agree that the current rescue makes no guarantees about the animal's temperament and is not responsible for future damages or injuries caused by the animal nor illnesses that occur after adoption
  • I give the current rescue permission to call or visit my home at any reasonable time to assure that the animal is being properly treated and cared for.  
  • I agree to keep the rescue informed of my current home address and phone number in order that microchip details be kept up to date

** Please note: Due to the current abandonment epidemic it may be necessary to move animals before it is possible to do the necessary healthcheck, neuter, vaccinations, flea & worm treatment or microchipping. Adopters will be made aware of this and take the animal at their own risk. Potential adopters/adopters will take responsibility for arranging these checks with the vets via the rescue as soon as possible and H.A.R cannot be held liable in the meantime. All of the above are included in the adoption fee. Exceptions may be made should adopters wish to use their own vets however due to huge variations in vet charges H.A.R is unable to cover costs in these circumstances. Vet records are requested for records**

Adoption Fees

Please note that adoption fee's vary depending on type and age of animal but are typically:

DOGS £175

CATS £80

Note that these fees help to cover:

Neutering - £50 - £150

Healthcheck - average cost £25

Full Vaccinations - average cost £60

Flea and Worm treatment - average cost £10

Microchip - average cost £20

Bed and Board - average cost £8 per day

Collar - average cost £3

Administration, Transport and Telephone Costs

                       Rabbits and Guinea Pigs £20 - £50

(sometimes complete with hutch)

Adoption fees can be paid online via the button below - PLEASE STATE CLEARLY THE NAME OF THE ANIMAL YOU ARE ADOPTING. Cheques should be made payable to 'Hornchurch Animal Rescue' and sent to our registered address. Please note that we are a non-profit charitable organisation. Adoption fees are donations to the rescue and are therefore non-refundable.  

We love to receive updates and photographs of our much loved rescue animals they are all part of a huge much-loved family.

We ask our adopters to stay in touch and allow us to check on the welfare of our animals from time-to-time.  We will continue to give help and support on health, behaviour and other issues as needed for the remainder of the pets life. We encourage owners to check our website for news and use our other pet services as well as recommending us to friends and family who may wish to adopt or use our services. Proceeds of services offered go towards the rescue. 

* Adopters must be over 21

Adding A Second Dog To Your Household  Food For Thought.....

We are often approached by members of the public who feel their current dog is 'lonely' and 'needs a playmate'.  Dogs brought up together can form strong bonds of course and if a dog loses it's pal after a number of years they can suffer from separation anxiety or pining.  It should be considered though that the same bond may not be established with another dog so getting another dog may not be a cure for this problem.  Similarly a dog who is receiving all the physical and mental stimulation it needs does not necessarily need a playmate.  The change in dynamic in a household introducing a second dog should never be underestimated.  Dogs can act completely differently in a pack to those living a more solitary lifestyle.  Barking and bad behaviour can be contagious and you could end up with two badly behaved dogs where you once had one well behaved pooch!  Similarly your quiet doggy may be unable to resist the urge for constant boisterous play with his or her new canine pal which can come as a shock to households used to the residents dogs particular ways.  Adopters are often surprised about the change in their dogs behaviour when another dog is introduced. Many people believe one more dog is not going to make a difference to the household but depending on the dog one more dog can sometimes equal 10 times the work!