The Scottish SPCA has launched a new adoption and fostering service to help animals find their perfect match.
Potential new owners can now input their exact requirements, and the charity matches them with an animal who would be a perfect fit for them.
The new initiative means owners can list their preferences and lifestyle requirements before receiving a list of tailored matches to select their perfect “paw-mate”.
Last year the charity saw a 13 per cent increase in adoptions and a 21 per cent increase in fostering. This has had a significant impact of reducing the average days in care from 127 to just 58 days.
And the hope is that this new service will continue this trend.
If you are not sure about adopting an animal, then fostering can be an option for you.
Many animals don’t cope well within a kennel environment, some have come from situations where they may not have been well socialised with people or other animals, and others may never have experienced the care and affection they deserve.
In these situations, the charity knows that quickly moving animals into a home environment is the best thing for them. Not only does it give them much needed love and affection, being on foster builds their confidence and can improve their health and wellbeing.
Fostering also allows the charity to learn more about the animal, meaning they can be found the most suitable permanent home, and helps to free up space in the centres for more animals who are in desperate need of help.
Head of Fostering, rehoming and community engagement Jennie Macdonald says: “Through listening to customer feedback and conducting relevant research we have completely redesigned our Fostering and Rehoming service. This was to improve animal welfare, the overall process for our teams and to make it more user friendly for all.
“Prospective new owners will now be able to create an account with us and complete one application form. Previously they would have to complete an application for every animal they were interested in.
“Our new process considers the lifestyle and preferences of the person applying and allows us to match them with animals in our care. We’ll work together to truly understand their needs, listen to their feedback and ensure we can find them their ideal pet.
“Adding an animal to your family is a long-term commitment so we want to be sure we find the best fit for you and your family.”
Valentine’s adoptions at SPCA Lanarkshire
Charles the rabbit is a shy, handsome young bunny who is ready to find his forever home.
Charles tends to spend most of his morning up in his safe space in his hutch and only when he knows his breakfast is down in his section will he go down to explore.
Although Charles’s confidence is growing every day, a home with no young children and a home who has had experience with timid rabbits previously would benefit this boy best.
Given his reserved nature, Charles would be best suited to being kept indoors. When he doesn’t know that you are watching him, he is a joy to see. He plays, binkies and loves exploring his toys – especially cardboard boxes.
Having a companion of his own kind is what this boy is missing, and having that bond with another rabbit would really help bring this boy out of his shell and allow his personality to fully shine. Charles is already neutered.
Lyca the German Shepherd is a beautiful dog looking for an experienced owner.
Lyca would love to live in a rural setting/small holding that has access to a purpose built kennel and run with the possibility of integrating her into a home environment over time.
She is a sweetheart around humans and loves snuggling up and getting lots of love and hugs. She does however not like other dogs very much and this is something her new owner will need to work on with her.
She has had some guidance whilst in the charity’s care on how to behave around other dogs and has started wearing a muzzle no bother to keep her and the other dogs around her safe.
Due to her training requirements, she will be looking for an experienced owner who can confidently work with her on this. She will be looking for an adult-only home.
Lyca has a very high prey drive so will not be suitable to live with cats or other small animals. She will need to be the only animal in the house.
Misty is a loving Staffordshire Bull Terrier who is looking for her forever home.
She loves nothing more than relaxing in her doughnut bed. She is a dog who will thrive in a home where her new owners can continue her socialisation and training.
Misty has been out and about away from the centre, and she is so well balanced and takes everything in her stride and enjoys everything that is going on around her.
Misty can get over excited and will need a new owner who can work with this and channel her excitement in a positive direction.
Her favourite toy at the moment is Kevin the carrot and after a busy day she likes nothing more than to cuddle up with him.
To find your dream pet or are interested in fostering click here.
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