Giving your dog up for adoption

Rehome your dog with Battersea

At Battersea, we aim never to turn away a dog or cat in need of our help, and we are committed to ensuring that every dog and cat receives the highest standards of care.

No matter your circumstances, we will listen without judgement, and do what we can to make things as simple as possible. We’ve been finding loving new homes for beloved pets for over 160 years and our staff are dedicated to caring for every dog. We will help them to settle in, get to know their individual quirks, and do everything we can to find the best possible home for them.

What happens once I've given my dog to Battersea?

Take a look at this video for more information on what to expect when you rehome your dog with Battersea, and when you are ready, please contact your nearest centre or complete the online form.

Bringing your dog to Battersea

If you are looking to bring your dog to Battersea, please complete our online form. Alternatively, you can email us at one of our locations below.

Battersea is currently experiencing very high levels of demand to take in dogs to our centres and so customers are being placed on a waiting list to ensure we have space and capacity to respond to emergency cases of dogs needing our help. This means we may not be able to take in your pet for several weeks depending on your circumstances.

Battersea carefully assess all intake applications to ensure that we prioritise any urgent cases, but we would advise you to contact several rescue centres so that you can receive the help that you need as soon as possible.

If you are struggling with your dog’s behaviour issues, we would encourage you to visit our pet advice pages where you will find lost of information and videos to help you manage problem behaviours.

Our intake booklet

This booklet will help answer some of the questions you may have and explain the process that each dog goes through when they arrive in our care.

*Calls cost 5p per minute from a BT landline, mobile charges may vary. All income donated from these calls will go toward the care of the dogs and cats at Battersea.

Not local to Battersea? Contact your local rescue centre

Rescue centres have access to lots of potential new loving homes for your dog, and the time, resources and expertise to find them the one that feels like home again.

We know that circumstances change quickly, but rescue centres like Battersea and lots of others are here to help, so please don’t be afraid to get in touch.

Read our intake policy and FAQs

We aim never to turn away a dog or cat in need of our help. However, for the wellbeing of your pet we may need to make difficult decisions. It is important that you fully understand our policies including those around transfer of ownership or possibility of your pet being put to sleep.

Who will look after my dog when I'm no longer here?

Battersea’s Forever Loved is a free service that will ensure your dog will be looked after should you pass away before them. By signing up you can be reassured that, should the worst happen, Battersea will be there to care for and rehome your pet, and give them the happy, loving future you would want for them. Find out more and how to join our Forever Loved Service.