Our rehoming centres are not open for public browsing but you can still make an appointment to adopt or bring a dog to us.
While police dogs are incredibly well-trained, the stress of the job can have unintended consequences, including anxiety and depression. For dogs who need more time to get to know their new family, you can now meet them at our rehoming centres by appointment. Before any dog can start its training, there is of course, the puppy stage. Our rehoming centres are not open for public browsing but you can still make an appointment to adopt or bring a dog to us. There is no organization strictly dedicated to adopting retired police dogs. Having supplied the majority of UK police forces with dogs, the programme also develops dogs which are sold to worldwide government agencies and institutions, as well as private organisations. Dog of the month! We will inform and advise you of the dogs ready for rehoming. We match our dogs to potential owners.
Laura Mueller is a freelance writer and editor with a background in animal advocacy. Police dogs form intensely strong bonds with their handlers in the line of duty. As such, their handlers are always the first choice for adopters when the dogs retire. If you’re interested in pursuing this type of rescue, read on for the steps that you’ll need to take. Rehome my dog Contact us Gun Dogs currently in rescue. We’ve set up new processes which include social distancing measures to help keep staff, visitors and adopters safe. Could you be their last home?
When a Police Dog reaches the time to retire, either through reaching their retirement age or due to illness or injury, there is a huge decision for their handler to make. Like their handlers, police K-9s frequently face high-stress situations and life-threatening dangers. But what happens when their work is finished? Rescuing a pet is a fantastic way to make a difference. In both cases, other law enforcement officers will be first in line to adopt, followed by the general public. We’re currently experiencing an unprecedented amount of interest, with some dogs getting several hundred applications. Your best bet for adopting a retired police dog is to do the legwork yourself, calling local police stations and K-9 officer training facilities and inquiring directly. Sometimes, dogs who “failed” out of police dog training and never actually performed active service become adoptable. We’ve set up new processes which include social distancing measures to help keep staff, visitors and adopters safe. Usually, opportunities for civilians to adopt retired police dogs only occur if a dog’s handler passes away or cannot otherwise care for him or her.
Create your own unique website with customizable templates. If all the moving parts do come together, adopting a dog whose service has ended is a truly impactful way to give a happy ending to dogs who have worked hard to protect and serve the people around them.
George - from Dogs Trust Mersyside, Baby Bruno from Basildon! However, dogs can be withdrawn from the training programme or from their role as a guide dog at any stage, or some dogs may retire, and we look to rehome them. As such, they may require additional training in retirement or even re-socialization. Trowbridge, Wiltshire (11.2 Miles from Chippenham) It's not always easy to find an adopter who is prepared to take on two dogs in one go but these 2 have been together for such a long time that we are very reluctant to split them up.
Most are under a year old and have failed to meet the required standards of The Dog Section. Our dogs are bred and trained to work as guide dogs and we’re delighted that the large majority of them are successful. Blue Cross at Kimpton, 1 year old Ellie is with the RSPCA in Devon, 12 month old Frank currently with Irish Setter Rescue, Raglan with Irish Setter Rescue only 11 months old, Luna residing in Yorkshire ready for adoption. Adopting a retired police dog is an opportunity to provide a canine a chance to just be a pet in their final years, with all of the love and spoiling that goes along with it. If a police department or training organization does have a dog for adoption or expects that they will soon—either because the dog is retiring from the force or deemed unfit for service—they’ll be able to fill you in on the exact adoption process and any adopter requirements. Click the pics - Just some of the Labradors in rescue in the UK . In many cases, adopting a retired police K-9 is an incredible opportunity to provide a chance for a working dog to be just, well, a dog. An introduction to rehoming. She has worked in pets media for more than seven years. with Dogs Trust, Aww Holly and Charlie are 12 years old. Up until the year 2000 most retired police dogs were euthanized, a shocking practice that was thankfully stopped with the signing of Robby’s Law by then-President Bill Clinton. Dogs that are not suitable for our work make great pet dogs! Under the new law, which still stands today, dogs retiring from service in law enforcement or the military can be adopted by their handlers or other service members. In most cases, these dogs do go on to live carefree lives as family pets with their police partners. Do note that waiting lists can take time, and it may be years before a dog is available for you. The process to adopt a retired or “failed” police dog isn’t an easy one, nor is there a guarantee that a dog will be available or you’ll be successful in your application. These dogs are highly intelligent and work hard throughout their lives, first in training and then in active service. Dogs who retire from the police force may exhibit negative behaviors such as aggression, separation anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. The life of a police dog isn’t always easy. Most of the time, police dogs retire because of age. All of our dogs undergo a structured Puppy Development Programme, which is run by two of our National Police Chiefs Council qualified instructors. Many police departments around the country employ special K-9 units that assist officers in everything from finding missing people to searching for evidence at crime scenes.
There's a lot you need to know to make things go smoothly with your new friend. We’re now matching dogs with their new homes virtually and delivering dogs contact-free. Do they retire their courageous, faithful and loving partner to themselves or do they need to try to rehome them? Have a look at some of the gun dogs we have found in rescue - lists can change daily - we try and keep up, but if your chosen link is broken - we apologise, but keep looking as there are so many gun dogs wanting a new home!
By age 7 or 8 (or sometimes closer to 10 or 11), they’re ready to hang up their K-9 badges and spend their remaining years relaxing.
This can take up to seven days. Why You Should Consider Adopting a Former Police Dog, The 8 Best Online Dog Training Certification Programs of 2020, The 8 Best Online Service Dog Training Programs of 2020, How to Adopt From the TSA Dog Adoption Program, 6 Things Your Vet Wants You to Know (But Won't Tell You), Labrador Retriever (Lab): Dog Breed Profile. And if that’s not an option, they can be adopted out into the general public. Mission K9, however, is an organization that assists former working dogs in many ways, including arranging civilian adoptions. Northumbria Police Dog Section from time to time have dogs which are looking for a new home. To find out more about their adoption procedure, as well as the process for adopting a retired police dog, visit their “Adopt” page. Should you and the dog like each other, you can reserve the dog whilst the remainder of the process is completed. There are millions of dogs and cats in need of homes, and many would be delighted to find forever with you. We’re now matching dogs with their new homes virtually and delivering dogs contact-free.
These heavily trained dogs are true partners to their human companions, working tirelessly alongside them to keep their handlers—and the rest of us—safe. Most of the dogs we rehome have not been police trained although we do occasionally have a retired police dog available. Registered Charity Numbers: 227523 & SC037843 Donations are tax exempt and Gift Aid can be claimed. Instead, organizations like the National Police Dog Foundation and the Retired Police Canine Foundation assist handlers with things like medical care and training for their retired pups. This isn’t to say that adopting a retired police dog isn’t worth it. Before we introduce to you the dog of your choice, you will be asked to complete a short form. If a retired police dog isn’t available, look through the TSA Dog Adoption Program, or consider just heading to your local shelter.
Police dogs form intensely strong bonds with their handlers in the line of duty. Busby only 1-2 years old - Dogs Trust Darlington, Look at that face!!