Our Animals : Adoption Procedure & Costs

Our Adoption Procedure ...

In order to rehome a dog or cat from us you will be interviewed by one of our experienced team, who will help you choose the dog or cat that best suits you and your situation.  After the interview we will arrange to visit your home prior to you adopting one of our animals. You will be contacted re the homevisit within 48 hours of your visit to the centre and the homevisit will be carried out within 3 – 5 days.

Opening times ...

The East Kent Animal Centre is open everyday 11:30 until 2:00pm except Wednesday for viewing our animals.

We are closed all day on Christmas Day. Please note: appointments are not needed for these times - it is on a first come, first served basis.

Alternatively, we offer an appointment service outside of these times. This is for anyone who finds it impossible to visit during the daily opening times.

To book a rehoming appointment or for general rehoming enquiries, please call 01843 826180.

Rehoming Process ...

Our rehoming process is individual to each and every applicant so please allow plenty of time. Our busiest times tend to be weekends and school holidays.

Please note that you have to be 18 years old or over to adopt one of our animals.

Please bring with you:

• Identification with your name and address
• Written permission from your council, Housing Association or landlord if you do not own your home
• For dogs:  All members of the family: it is vital that everyone who will be living with the dog meets him/her.
• For dogs: Any other dogs (not cats) who will be living with the new dog

Please read the rehoming disclaimer.

We cannot guarantee that any animal seen on this website will be suitable for an individual prospective owner

We cannot guarantee that any animal seen on the website will be at the centre on visiting

We cannot accept responsibility for the temperament of any animal once it has been rehomed

Prices ...

Cats and kittens: £70 each

These prices include:

• a microchip
• free ID disc
• neutering or a neutering voucher
• health check, at least the first vaccination with certificate
• worming

In respect of small animals, the following prices apply:  

Fees are £20 for Rabbits (includes neutering and mixi vaccination)

We ask for £5 for small animal and its best to contact the Animal Centre for advice on
accomodation.

The Price of a Pet ...

The Benefits:

• Research shows having a pet can lower your stress levels.
• Pets are always there for you.
• Dog-owners are more likely to get regular exercise.

Think about the COST:

Apart from providing a balanced diet, you will need to cover regular veterinary bills and pay for treatment if your pet has an accident or becomes sick.

Dogs and cats need to be treated regularly for fleas and worms. They should also be vaccinated, neutered and micro chipped, all of which costs money.

Rabbits should be kept in company with other rabbits but they too need to be vaccinated and given the correct diet with plenty of roughage to ensure their teeth don’t grow too long.

Pet insurance is a sensible idea to help meet the cost of unexpected veterinary treatment.

You can expect to pay up to:

£9,600 Over the lifetime of a DOG

£8,000 Over the lifetime of a CAT

£7,600 Over the lifetime of 2 RABBITS

Think about the RESPONSIBILITY

Your pet is your responsibility. You will need to clean up after it just like you would with a child. You may also need to treat your pet for fleas and worms.

When you go on holiday – even for a short break = you must make sure your pet is being properly looked after. Every year the RSPCA prosecutes people who have left animals alone. Anyone looking after your pet must be reliable and take the responsibility seriously.

TIME – a lifetime commitment

A pet could be part of your family for ten to 20 years.

How much time can you spare to spend with your pet? If you are at work full-time, who will look after your dog?   It should not be left on its own all day. All pets need your attention and some need regular exercise. Long-haired pets need to be combed daily to keep them matt-free. Rabbits take plenty of time too – you will have to clean their living and exercise areas regularly.

Pets need a regular routine, love and attention and owners who will stay interested in them for all their lives.

Rehoming Disclamer ...

The animals displayed on the animals needing homes page are currently in our care. They have differing needs. Please be aware that under no circumstances can we reserve an animal until an interview has been completed. Please note that you have to be 18 years old or over to adopt one of our animals.

Animals are rehomed by us six days a week. Although we do our best to keep this site up to date, there may be occasions when an animal appearing on the website has already been rehomed.  We are unable to confirm by telephone, fax or email if a particular animal is still available but we do urge you to visit as we always have many animals waiting for new homes.

All our animals are given health checks and temperament assessments. This gives us an insight into their character and enables us to make a considered decision as to which type of home would be best for the animal. Once an animal settles in a new home its behaviour can alter and we can only assess the animals on the behaviour they display whilst in our care.