RSPCA Inspection for puppy adoption

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Lauren90

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Hello all,

My partner and I have placed a reserve on a puppy at the RSPCA shelter. As part of checking if we and our home is suitable they will carry out a home inspection, does anyone have any first hand experience of what this entails or inspect on behalf of the RSPCA.

Our garden has high fences either side but the back is trees about 10 feet high and im not sure if this would fail an inspection? There are some slight gaps in the hedge row, although whilst toileting the puppy wouldnt be unsupervised anyway. We have some great parks, woods and walks nearby for proper exercise.

We have considered placing a mesh fencing around the bottom of the hedge row and existing high fences just to be extra sure -would this be OK and ensure a succesful adoption?

Are there any other key requirements we should be aware of? It sounds like the home inspections can vary significantly and depending how busy they are too.

Thanks,
 
I do home checks for my local RSPCA, they are fairly informal and we are supposed to call them visits now rather than checks. It will cover a lot of basic questions to make sure you have thought of things like holiday cover, where the dog will sleep, a routine etc etc. It is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you have thought of since you went to meet the puppy

I think I would want mesh up at the back of the garden as it doesnt sound completely secure and although the puppy wouldnt be unsupervised escapes do occasionally happen so best to be on the safe side
 
Yes, definitely finish off securing your fencing. My local RSPCA will not allow people to adopt dogs now unless their garden is completely secure, I think they've had too many dogs escape lately!
 
Thanks webble, will the mesh need to be a certain height? Im hoping it is as informal as you mention, I would be devastated if I got turned down knowing that I could offer a fab home and the poor thing is still going to be stuck in the kennels for a while.
 
It'll need to be tall enough that the puppy, when adult size, will not be able to jump over it. Trees aren't a problem. Sounds as if you've only got a few gaps to fill. The home check will be informal, just a chat to make sure you know what you're committing to, the expense, possible insurance etc, that you're able to look after a puppy/dog OK, which vet you'll use, understand the need for vaccinations etc, and not going to be leaving the pup alone for long periods at a time. It'll be fine, and if all goes well, remember you can always ask the RSPCA for advice if and when you need it. You should also get a follow up visit a few months later, to make sure there aren't any problems.
Good luck, just relax!!
 
It's quite a few years since I had a home inspection but secure fencing of a certain height was mentioned. The visit was quite informal and friendly so don't worry too much. The inspector was really helpful and wasn't expecting absolute perfection, just a loving family home.

Good luck with your new puppy. Its so nice to hear of someone taking a dog from a shelter rather than a breeder.
 
Thanks all. I'll try and get 4/5 feet mesh just to be safe. Hopefully that should cover it.
Dogatemysalad- I believe that you should require a license to breed all animals and make it illegal to buy pups who have not come from a licensed home. So Many breed for the money not the breed or love of animals anymore. With the amount of animals in shelters there is really no need to bring any more on to this world just yet.
 
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Lauren90 said:
Thanks all. I'll try and get 4/5 feet mesh just to be safe. Hopefully that should cover it.
Dogatemysalad- I believe that you should require a license to breed all animals and make it illegal to buy pups who have not come from a licensed home. So Many breed for the money not the breed or love of animals anymore. With the amount of animals in shelters there is really no need to bring any more on to this world just yet.
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Good luck with your inspection.
I would say though that I like to buy puppies for a purpose, as in gundogs, so just getting a mongrel out of a shelter wouldn't work. I do have rescues as well, but they are to be pets.
 
Hello,
Why not give them a ring and ask what height they would recommend for the puppies size. Brownie points and you shouldn't have to do it again?
 
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