The Right Way To Start
You and your family should first examine: your lifestyle, the environment that you have to offer a dog, the family composition, and your financial resources. How many hours do you work? Do you travel a lot? How many hours will someone be home to be with a puppy and be able to provide ongoing human interaction with the dog even after it is grown?
How many extra hours will you have to devote to brushing, washing, and grooming a dog? How much time will you have to walk/exercise the dog? Are you physically able to care for a dog? Do you have allergies/asthma associated with dogs?
Are you planning on relocating in the near future and if so, will you be allowed to keep a dog where you relocate? If the dog has "accidents" before it is properly housebroken, is this really going to bother you? Are there other existing pets in the home? Are there infants or very young children in the family now or are any on the way in the future?
Do you have the financial ability to have the dog examined by a veterinarian at least once a year (sometimes more) and can you afford the vaccinations, other ongoing medications, monthly food and grooming expenses? Do you have the financial resources to care for a dog should ongoing health problems arise?
Have you considered that you will be making a commitment to care for an animal which could last for up to 12-17 years?
Each year over 500 stray and unwanted dogs enter Brown Street Kennels in many cases we do not have any information on their background.
The dog may need time to settle into a new home and come to trust their new family. Many may have emotional issues or behavioural problems and it can take days, weeks or even months for them for them to settle fully.
If you are interested in a particular dog, a member of staff will give you any information that is available regarding its character and medical history.
You will be asked questions relating to your home circumstances to ensure that we have a good match for both parties.
If you have other family members or dogs they will also have to come in and spend time with the dog.
We will always tell you if we know or believe that the dog you have chosen is not suitable for your home circumstances.
What You Need To Bring
ID and guidelines
Please bring with you:
Identification with your name and address, If you are submitting a joint application, please bring identification for both adults.
Written permission from your council, housing association or landlord if you do not own your home.
All members of the family, It is vital that everyone who will be living with the dog meets the animal.
Any other dogs (not cats) which will be living with the new dog
Please remember:
We cannot guarantee any animal seen on the website will be suitable for a prospective owner
We cannot guarantee any animal seen on this website will be at the centre on the day of your visit
Although most of the dogs has a behaviour and temperament assessment while at the Home we cannot accept responsibility for its temperament once it has been rehomed.