What is the adoption process and how much does it cost?

Thank you for taking an interest in adopting one of our dogs! The process is relatively simple. We only ever have a few dogs in the UK at any one time and these are always fostered in private homes. This way we can allow them time to settle from their epic journey, and we can get to know their characters a little more which enables us to find the perfect fit for them and their new family.

First, we ask you to contact us for an application form. Once this is returned to us, we will arrange a meet-up with you and the dog you are interested in. (Or, if you have no preference, the dog that we feel is a good match for you, according to the information on the application). There is no limit on the number of meet-ups before you make a decision!

All being well, we would then arrange a home visit for you. This ensures the house and garden are safe and secure, and that our dog will be well-cared for. Once all the checks are completed and satisfactory, we ask you to sign a contract of care to your new family member, and a Rescue Back Up form (please see bottom of this page for more information).

Our fees are as follows: For an adult dog (neutered) the cost is £550. For a puppy less than a year old the cost is £450. (NB We do not get many puppies but the cost for them is slightly less as we insist on the new family getting the pup neutered when they are a year old, at their own cost. We will require veterinary proof of this).

How do I become a dog foster carer?

Much the same as applying to adopt, we will first ask you to fill in a foster application form. Once completed and returned to us, we will come and do a home check and then pair you up with a dog that best suits you.

Why rescue from Russia/abroad when there are so many dogs needing homes in the UK?

Dogs do not recognise borders and in rescue, neither do we. We believe that it doesn’t matter where an animal in need is located. If we are able to help, then we should, regardless.

We are so fortunate in the UK to have many wonderful animal rescue charities that are doing incredible and much-valued work. The animals in shelters in this country are warm, fed, and exercised daily. They have visitors and/or foster families, and generally have much higher-than-basic levels of care.

The dogs we rescue are often from the city’s ‘municipal’ kennels. They are caged outside in sub-zero temperatures for much of the time (Siberia is often -20C to -40C for at least 9 months of the year). The dogs have no bedding or any real shelter to allow them to keep warm. The kennels are badly maintained and often overcrowded: Disease and injury is rife. If the dogs are small, young, old, disabled, or of certain breeds, they simply do not survive here. After 40 days the dogs are released back onto the streets and the survival rate for those animals, is minimal.

We also collect animals directly from the streets who may have been beaten, run over, trapped, poisoned, shot, are starving, freezing, or have suffered injuries from other dogs. All in all, life is short, terrifying and bleak for Russian street dogs (many of whom are ex-pet dogs; used to a family and the warmth of a home, now discarded and left to fend for themselves). These dogs are just as deserving of our love and care as any other and are in desperate need of it.

Do the dogs pose a risk to UK resident dogs? Either from disease or behaviourally?

No. All our dogs are vaccinated, microchipped, de-wormed, de-fleaed, neutered (if old enough) and rigorously health checked before travel. (We obtain video evidence of all checks and vaccinations etc of each dog at the times they receive them). They receive a number of health checks directly before travel too, and throughout their journey at various borders while travelling through Europe. No animal is allowed to enter Europe - including the UK - without these checks and proof of health from qualified veterinarians. (This is all detailed on their pet passports).

We also behaviour check them, both in Russia and in the UK. They are tested as much as possible before leaving Russia, with different scenarios - lead walks near traffic, whether they are cat-safe, children-savvy, and so on.

All our dogs are currently then fostered in the UK with a registered veterinary nurse and canine behaviourist. She assesses their temperaments fully and implements any training regimes they may need (i.e. usually just the basics for some of the younger ones - they are all learning a second language too of course!)

We also offer lifelong behaviour and training advice to all owners.

Do you check up on your re-homed dogs?

Yes. We do follow-up calls and/or checks for the first 6 months to a year of adoption. These are fortnightly initially, and then less regular depending on the requirement. We have a WhatsApp group that is open to anyone - adopter or not - and we heartily encourage people to share their doggy pics there for us all to enjoy!

What happens if a home doesn’t work out? Do you take the dogs back? Do you have Rescue Back Up?

Yes. We have full, lifelong, Rescue Back Up, for all our dogs - both fostered and adopted. Even if a dog has been adopted for years, we will take them back if needs be.

We will always work with a family who may be struggling and help and support in any way we can. We will even offer temporary foster care for a dog if a family’s situation has changed or is difficult for a short while. If in the worst-case scenario, a dog really has to be returned, we will ALWAYS take them back. No exceptions and no judgments cast.

Where does my money go if I donate?

Every penny of our donations goes directly to the rescue and care of our dogs. We are all volunteers - both those of us here in the UK, as well as our colleagues in Russia. For more information on general costs, please see the ‘Our Costs’ page.