Pawprints to Freedom Ltd offer a lifetime rescue backup to all dogs who have been homed through us. We also offer emergency care for dogs in need within the UK where we can.

Each surrender case will be assessed and prioritised based on the information provided so please give us as much information as you can. This helps us to find the most suitable placement for the dog quickly.

Once your form is submitted, a member of the team will be in touch to discuss the next step within 2 working days.

Please note, we cannot accept banned breeds under any circumstances.

What is Rescue Back Up (RBU)?

We offer RBU to ensure that dogs rescued by us are kept safe, so should unforeseen circumstances arise (eg, critical life changing illness or death) We will do our best to find a suitable alternative placement for the dog.

RBU is not if you have changed your mind on having a dog, or it doesn’t look how you expected, or it isn’t housetrained. Dogs are a living being and should be treated as such, you cannot just return and expect us to come and collect the minute you’ve made that life altering decision for the dog. We expect you to put in the work with training and help your dog live a happy and contented life feeling safe, secure, and part of the family.

When rescue dogs get rehomed, it can take months for them to settle and be comfortable in your home. You must be prepared for that, and if you aren’t, a rescue dog isn’t right for you. They have gone through so much, they need to learn to trust you, and if you give up on them, you are adding to their trauma and their ability to trust. Please don’t be that person.

We work so hard to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome a dog, and when that dog is in a home, it means another dog has our time and efforts.

Rescue backup is so much harder now. There are less suitable homes, less kennel spaces, but way too many dogs in need. We have to work very hard to find a new home, so we only rehome a rescue dog if you are willing to make it a lifelong commitment. It’s NOT try before you buy, and if it doesn’t work out, the rescue will take it back. This is a dogs life. It’s not a pair of shoes that you can send back.

We always want the best for all our rescue dogs. We have processes for applications, home checks matching, and this takes a huge amount of volunteers' time, which our volunteers willingly give because they care. It is frustrating and upsetting when rescue backup is requested. We understand that there are always genuine reasons why it’s needed, but those where it could be avoided if the commitment was there are challenging for us to deal with. Sometimes, we show our disappointment, but we don’t deserve the abuse we get in some of these cases. “Come and get this dog now” is never appropriate. We don’t judge genuine cases, but please don’t give up after 3 days/weeks/months or even years. You made a commitment. Please uphold your end of the agreement.

We always provide as much support and guidance as we can to help you be successful. Please listen to us and take our advice, which is through years of experience.

It’s the most heart breaking frustrating moment when someone contacts us to say they’ve changed their mind and it’s incredibly unfair on the dog and the rescue team who have worked so hard for it to have the best chance of a wonderful life.

RESCUE BACK UP IS FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES ONLY.

Dog details

Owner details

Acknowledgements

I understand that, once the dog has been moved and settled, Pawprints to Freedom will not provide ongoing updates on their progress, and that I should not attempt contact with any future home.

I understand that completing this form does not in any way commit me to surrendering my dog and I retain full ownership of the dog until such time as it is mutually agreed to pass the dog into the full care of Pawprints to Freedom Rescue, therefore, relinquishing all rights of ownership to them.

I understand that by signing the Pawprints to Freedom Adoption Contract I have agreed to the following:

II. The adoption fee is non-refundable should you surrender the dog back to our ownership, this is non-negotiable. Adopters will also be expected to pay for any internal transportation costs incurred in the removal of the dog to a new place of residence, if the dog is surrendered. The adopter is not permitted to hand the dog(s) over to any other rescue, and understands that if there is a need to surrender/re home the dog, this must be done via PPTF.

I understand that by signing the Pawprints to Freedom Declaration I have agreed to the following:

Applicant(s) confirm that the in event of needing to surrender the dog they agree to cover emergency kennelling costs