Second Chance Dog Rescue

Who are Second Chance Dog Rescue?

 

We are a small independent dog rescue founded by Louise Pittman in 2018 after she rescued Chance, a Golden Retriever, from Bosnia.   Louise started the rescue to save many more dogs from a life on the streets or in the kill shelters.   Since that time the rescue has expanded and now operates  primarily in Bosnia and Romania as well as rescuing an increasing number of dogs at risk within the UK

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Where is Second Chance Dog Rescue based?         

 

We are based in the UK and staffed entirely by volunteers spread across the UK.  Our volunteers give up their spare time to operate the rescue.  Our Overseas rescuers work tirelessly to rescue and care for our dogs. We have worked closely with them all for many years. In the UK we use a DEFRA registered kennel facility in South Wales, this is where all of our overseas dogs are transported.  

 

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 How do you communicate?

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We mainly communicate through social media, our website and email.  Our primary channel is Facebook where we have a number of closed groups – so you will need to apply to join if you wish to participate. 

The main groups are:

• Second Chance Dog Rescue   - our main page

• Second Chance Dog Rescue Adoptions   - dogs for adoption currently overseas

• Second Chance UK Adoption & Foster   - dogs in the UK needing foster or forever homes

• Second Chance Family    - group for our family of adopters and fosterers

• Second Chance Aftercare Support and Advice   - group for our adopters to seek support & advice

 

Additionally we have groups for our fundraising activities:

• Second Chance Fundraising    - fun fundraising events

• Second Chance Auctions    - fundraising auctions

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Personal communication is conducted by social media messaging or by email.  

   

Remember you have to apply to join our groups and don’t forget to tick the box agreeing to our group rules or your request to join will be declined automatically.

    

You can also find us on X, Instagram and TikTok - just search for "Second Chance Dog Rescue CIC" or click on the social media icons at the bottom of the page.

 

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What do I need to consider before getting a dog?

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The decision to adopt or foster a dog must never be taken lightly.  First you need to examine whether you will be able to offer a dog the right type of environment and also whether dog ownership will suit your lifestyle and that of your family, both now and into the future.  There are far too many factors to consider here but we have a factsheet titled 'Deciding to Get a Dog' which discusses this question in greater detail.  Click here to download it.

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How to I find a dog to adopt?

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Details of the dogs available for Foster or Adoption are posted here on our website and on our Facebook groups.  In both places, we have separate lists for dogs overseas and dogs who are in the UK.

 

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What is the difference between adopting and fostering a dog?

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When you adopt a dog from us you are agreeing to give your dog a safe and loving forever home.  It is a significant undertaking and it is important that you have fully considered whether you will be able to meet your dog's needs both now and in the future and that you have assessed the impact that this will have on your lifestyle.  You are also taking on the full cost of dog ownership.

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To foster a dog is to provide a temporary home to a dog whilst it is in the care of the rescue.  While your fostered dog is with you, we will be actively seeking to find an adopter to provide a forever home. We can help with any necessary costs of fostering and the rescue will cover any vet bills, flea/worming treatment and neutering/spaying as necessary.  If you do decide to adopt your foster dog we are always very happy to discuss this with you too.  

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How do I apply to adopt or foster a dog?

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To apply to adopt or foster one of our dogs, please make a note of the details of the dog you are interested in and email us at:

to adopt:  secondchanceadoptionsenquiries@gmail.com 

to foster:  secondchancefosterenquiries@gmail.com

Alternatively you can message Bex Bottomley or Meg Talbot who you can find on our main Facebook page.

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​If I apply for a dog will I automatically be able to adopt it?

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Our primary concern is always the welfare of the dog so we try to match the needs of each dog with the environment and lifestyle offered by our potential adopters. We also undertake a thorough homecheck with all applicants to ensure that they are able to offer a dog a safe and secure environment and will be able to meet all its needs.  Most applications are approved and even where we find potential issues, we are often able to suggest simple remedial actions.  Inevitably occasionally we have to disappoint an applicant where we feel their home circumstances or current lifestyle would not be conducive to a happy and balanced or safe environment for a dog.

 

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Do you offer advice and support both before and after adoption?

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Yes we have a wealth of information in factsheets that we send to you before you agree to adopt or foster a dog from us.   We also have canine professionals who can advise on specific issues that you may encounter.   Our Second Chance Aftercare Support and Advice Facebook page is the primary channel for aftercare, where one of our aftercare team will answer your question personally. Other adopters and fosters also often comment by sharing their own personal experiences and offer support.

 

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If my circumstances change am I free to rehome a dog I have adopted from Second Chance Dog Rescue?

 

No, in the event that you are no longer able to keep your dog, your dog can only be rehomed by Second Chance Dog Rescue as per your adoption contract.  This is to protect and keep all of our dogs safe and to ensure that they are rehomed suitably and remain in contact with their rescue throughout their lives.

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How do I volunteer for the rescue?

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We are totally dependent on our small army of volunteers to keep the rescue operating; we have no paid staff, so we are always grateful for people with spare time to offer.  We have more work than volunteers.  From conducting homechecks for potential adopters, fundraising and transporting dogs down to administrative tasks, the list is never ending!  If you have some spare time and would like to help, you can either join our main Facebook group and watch for calls to help or you can volunteer direct by emailing secondchancedogrescueuk@gmail.com.