Expert Q&A: Your guide to rehoming a pet from Woodgreen Pets Charity

TV show The Dog House gives an insight into the process of how homeless pets at Woodgreen Pets Charity are matched with loving new owners.

Here their pet advisor Lizzie Charnock answers some of the common questions about the rehoming process, which potential new pet owners may have:

Which pets are available for rehoming from Woodgreen?

Pets of all shapes, sizes and personalities come into our rehoming centre in Cambridgeshire – from dogs and cats to rabbits, rodents and chickens. We can have up to 500 in our care at any one time!

Some of these animals are strays with very little known about their background, while others are handed in by owners who can sadly no longer care for them – often due to lifestyle changes, financial difficulties or due to the pet’s behaviour.

How do you match pets with new homes?

As The Dog House shows, it’s a little bit like dating. Our dedicated pet carers provide us with an assessment of each animal and the type of home they’re looking for, and anyone interested in rehoming a pet can register their details via an application form on our website.

Our job is to find out which pets would be compatible with which homes – for example, a young dog looking for an active home to continue their training, a senior cat seeking a quiet home with a lap to snooze on or a pair of rabbits in need of a spacious enclosure to hop around in.

Who can adopt a pet from Woodgreen?

Other than being an adult, aged over 18 years, we have no blanket policies or criteria – we rehome pets to people with children who already have other pets, full-time workers and those with many different types of houses and gardens.

It all comes down to each individual pet and the type of environment they’ll need to be healthy and happy. Some dogs and cats are well socialised and can cope with different situations, while others have experienced trauma or suffering and are left with more specific requirements for us to meet.

What support does Woodgreen offer?

When you adopt a pet from Woodgreen, we provide you with detailed assessments of their behaviour and medical needs. Pets are neutered (in the majority of cases), microchipped, vaccinated, up-to-date with flea and worming treatments and come with four weeks’ free insurance to give you one less thing to think about during the settling in period.

For dogs and cats, you’ll even get some extra goodies to take home. And on top of all this, we’re on hand to provide any advice and support you need with your pet – whether it’s in five days or five years down the line.

What would you say to anyone thinking of rehoming a pet?

The opportunity to give a pet in need a second chance is something very special. I’ve fostered and rehomed different pets from Woodgreen over the years, and it’s such a joy to get to know their characters and build a bond with them.

Not only can you find the perfect addition to your household, but we’ll be here for you every step of the way – from finding your ideal match, to helping them settle in and offering lifetime support for any challenges you may face.

Can I apply to be on The Dog House?

Yes! Five Mile Films, the production company behind The Dog House, is always looking for people to take part. You can apply on our website when registering to rehome a dog, or by visiting www.channel4.com/takepart

How to get started

To see which pets are available for rehoming, and to get started with your rehoming journey, please visit www.woodgreen.org.uk