FAQs


Is Bristol A.R.C part of the R.S.P.C.A?
No, although we are proud to be affiliated with the RSPCA, we are a separate charity and receive no automatic funding from it. We rely entirely on local
support within the community to fund our vital work.


How do I go about adopting an animal?
You need to come to the Home and reserve an animal. Once this is done, you will receive a home-visit. A Bristol A.R.C. home-visitor will visit your

house to talk about the adoption and what to expect. For more information about the adoption procedure click here.


How much does it cost to adopt a dog and from the Bristol Dogs Home?
It costs £150 to adopt a dog and £100 for a cat. For a full list of costs please click here. All cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets are checked by Clinic veterinary staff, given worming and
flea treatments, vaccinated, micro-chipped and neutered before being re-homed.


If I find a sick or injured animal, what should I do?
Call the RSPCA 24-hour emergency line: 0300 1234 999 for an animal that is suffering/in distress. This is where the Animal Welfare Officers
and Inspectors are based so they may be able to send someone out. For more information, please visit their website at https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare

If you find a fledgling bird, please leave it where it is, as it could still be being fed by the parent bird. Birds sometimes fall from nests, but they have a better chance
of survival in the wild, so our advice is to leave baby birds where they are.

Am I eligible to adopt a dog from you?

To adopt a dog from us you must meet the following requirements.

  • Must have direct ground floor access to a fully secure, private garden
  • The dog cannot be left for any more than 4 hours a day
  • If in rented accommodation, a letter of permission will need to be provided
  • Any other dogs living in the property must meet the dog you wish to adopt on site with our staff present
  • Any plans to move house or go away on holiday in the near future must be completed before starting the adoption process
  • Any other pets in the property must be up to date with their vaccinations (dog, cat, rabbit and ferret)
  • Everybody who lives in the property has to meet the dog on-site

Suitability will depend on the individual needs of each dog (this will be at the discretion of the staff)

For further information on the adoption procedure, please visit https://www.bristolarc.org.uk/about/adoption-proce...

Am I eligible to adopt a cat from you?

To adopt a cat from us you must meet the following requirements.

  • Must be able to fit a cat flap (unless someone is home all day)
  • must have ground floor access to the outside (away from any roads)
  • Any plans to move house or go away on holiday in the near future must be completed before starting the adoption process
  • Any other pets in the property must be up to date with their vaccinations (dog, cat, rabbit and ferret)
  • Everybody who lives in the property has to meet the cat on-site

Suitability will depend on the individual needs of each cat (this will be at the discretion of the staff)
If in rented accommodation, a letter of permission will need to be provided
For further information on the adoption procedure, please visit https://www.bristolarc.org.uk/about/adoption-proce...


Why are these requirements put in place?


These requirements are put in place because it ensures the right environment to best suit the animal welfare long term.


If I find a stray dog what should I do?

If a stray dog is found in Bristol area, ring the Dog Warden on 0117 9222500. Out of hours this will give an answer message giving a number in case of emergency.


I can no longer look after my animal and need it rehomed, what do I do?

Please give our rehoming team a call on 0117 9776043. They can talk you through the process.
Please always be honest when gifting us your animal. We will never judge anyone for handing their pet over to us, so never feel you have to be untruthful
about anything. We have a much better chance of animals being easily rehomed if we know their history.


I have lost my pet, what do I do?
Give our Clinic and Rehoming Centre a call on 0117 9724567 and 0117 9776043 to see if we have taken your pet. Unfortunately, we cannot post about missing animals on our social media channels
.