Frequently asked question: how do I rehome a dog?

We quite frequently receive emails and Facebook posts from people wondering how to start the process of rehoming.

There are various reasons for this. Often people have been told that we have a policy that we don't have, or that it's difficult to adopt a dog, or possibly they've been informed of something that's actually a misconception, so before they get invested in the process, they want to ask what's expected of them.

To help get the information about rehoming from Dogs Trust (and obviously it's slightly different depending which organisation you go to) out there as widely as possible, I thought I'd flag these key places to get information from that might help. Of course we're always here to help, no matter what, so please don't feel that any question is too small.

1. Rehoming Step-By-Step Guide

Our 'How Rehoming Works' page lists the ten key steps in rehoming from Dogs Trust, from filling in the rehoming questionnaire (note: it's not an application, it's a starting point!) to going through a home check to picking up your new best friend.

2. Rehoming FAQs

Here's where to find the answers for the questions around the process, for example:

• Are dogs ever transferred between centres?
• What if I'm looking for a particular breed?
• How long will the process take?

...and many more. We keep updating this section when it becomes apparent that more information is needed, so if you can't find the answer you're looking for, do contact us through the website and this crucial feedback will help us keep it up to date.

3. First Time Dog Owner / Experienced Dog Owner Info

If you're new to the whole dog owning experience, it can seem daunting. We have some advice for first timers, and you're also free to go through the huge A-Z which covers all things dog.

Not so (or at all) new? Prepared to take on a dog that could do with your extra experience and knowledge? There's information tailored to you, too.

4. Factsheets and Downloads

We have a wealth of free downloads that can be read online or printed for reference. Some of the key ones that can help potential owners are linked below, but you can find all of them listed by subject matter under the A-Z section.

Note: all the below links open a PDF document.

• Do you have time for a dog if you work full time?
• Border Collies and Collie Crosses
• Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Staffie Crosses
• Greyhounds and Lurchers
• Feline friendly: introducing cats and dogs
• You can trust a dog from Dogs Trust

I hope that helps! Questions are, as I said, always welcome, so if you can't find what you're looking for online then dog contact us for further assistance.

Good luck in your search!

Can dog lovers be cat lovers too?

According to some of our Twitter followers (naming no names @billhilton), no way no how. We know that dogs and cats can be friends, so why not the people who love them?

It's time to 'fess: I've never had a dog. My parents preferred tortoises, stick insects, canaries, guinea pigs and, finally, cats - mostly because none of them required walking - but we cared for a friend's Cavalier King Charles and I grew up spending half my time at my best friend's house with her soppy Rottweiler and stately Lab Cross. So now that I commute to work and live in a house that only allows cats, there was an obvious choice: cats.

And, if I'm honest, I really love cats in their own right. But I love dogs, too! I think they have individual and marvellous merits. For example:

Dogs: Show complete love and loyalty all the time, even if you haven't asked for it.
Cats: Really don't. But when you get the unexpected snuggle, you do appreciate it more.

Dogs: Can be trained to come when called.
Cats: Can be trained to come when called, and ignore it when visitors are there.

Dogs: Will always great you with enthusiasm.
Cats: Will greet you with enthusiasm and a pointed look at an empty bowl.

Dogs: Can be very exuberant and active, making you fitter and getting you out of the house.
Cats: Save all the exuberant and active for the middle of the night.

It's really a win-win situation. If I had the appropriate lifestyle, I'd have both, and get the benefits of the enormous loyalty and enthusiasm of the dog alongside the elegant beauty and simmering megalomania of the typical cat (there are exceptions, of course). Surely an animal lover is an animal lover no matter what that animal might be? I draw the line at cockroaches, spiders and anything that stings or whose bite can kill, but other than that all companion animals seem like good news to me.

You just have to check out today's Twitter feed on the topic to find out that not everyone agrees, but that there are many examples of people who love and live with both cats and dogs. Are you one of them?

By the way, the image is my husband's Opie-esque rendering of our younger kitten, seven-month-old Casper. Not that we're cat bores or anything.

Oh, and, of course, a quick reminder. If you are thinking of getting a pet for your household, cat or dog, please consider rehoming. There are thousands of animals out there just looking for the perfect home.