BEST LIFE DOG RESCUE POLICIES
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
At Best Life Dog Rescue, we are committed to providing a safe, welcoming and supportive online community for everyone who shares our passion for animal welfare.
We welcome respectful comments, questions and constructive discussion. However, to protect the privacy of the dogs in our care, their adopters, foster carers, volunteers and previous owners, we ask that everyone follows the guidelines below.
Confidentiality
For reasons of confidentiality and data protection, we will not discuss or disclose details relating to individual dogs, previous owners, adopters, foster carers, applications or rehoming decisions on social media.
Respectful Communication
We ask that all interactions remain polite and respectful. Abusive, threatening, offensive or discriminatory language towards our volunteers, supporters or members of the public will not be tolerated.
False or Misleading Information
Comments or posts that contain false, misleading or defamatory statements about the charity, our volunteers or the care of our dogs may be removed. Where appropriate, we reserve the right to report such content to the relevant platform or take further action.
Comment Moderation
We reserve the right to hide or remove comments and block users who:
- Use abusive or threatening language.
- Publish false or defamatory allegations.
- Harass our volunteers or supporters.
- Share confidential information about dogs or individuals.
- Repeatedly disrupt discussions or post inappropriate content.
Complaints
If you have a genuine concern or complaint, please contact us privately by email. We are unable to investigate or resolve complaints through public social media posts or comment threads.
Our Commitment
Every decision made by Best Life Dog Rescue is based solely on the welfare and best interests of the dogs in our care. As a foster-based rescue run entirely by volunteers, we appreciate the kindness, patience and support of our community.
Thank you for helping us keep our social media pages welcoming, respectful and focused on what matters most – giving every dog the best possible life. 🐾
Comments & Reviews Policy
The rescue reserves the right to remove or hide comments that:
- are abusive, threatening or harassing;
- contain false or defamatory allegations;
- identify adopters, foster carers, volunteers or previous owners;
- breach confidentiality or data protection;
- are intended to damage the charity’s reputation rather than raise a genuine concern.
ADOPTION POLICY
Our Mission
At Best Life Dog Rescue, our priority is to find each dog the safest, happiest and most suitable permanent home. Every dog is assessed as an individual, and our decisions are based solely on the dog’s welfare and long-term needs.
Adoption Process
All prospective adopters are required to:
● Complete an adoption application.
● Undergo a home check where appropriate.
● Meet the dog before adoption.
● Provide proof of identity and address.
● Agree to the terms of our Adoption Agreement.
Where possible, multiple meet-and-greet sessions may be arranged to ensure the right match for both the dog and adopter.
Matching Dogs to Homes
Each dog has different needs. We consider factors including:
● Lifestyle and activity levels.
● Experience with dogs.
● Children living in or regularly visiting the home.
● Other pets.
● Working hours.
● Garden security.
● Commitment to training and veterinary care.
Meeting our minimum criteria does not guarantee adoption. We reserve the right to decline any application if we believe another home is better suited to the dog’s needs.
Veterinary Care
Dogs are rehomed with appropriate veterinary treatment completed where possible. This may include vaccination, microchipping, neutering, flea and worm treatment and any other veterinary care considered necessary.
Adoption Donations
An adoption donation helps us continue rescuing dogs and contributes towards veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and ongoing rescue work. Donations are non-refundable except where required by law.
Ongoing Support
We provide advice and support following adoption wherever reasonably possible.
Return Policy
If an adopter is no longer able to care for a dog adopted from Best Life Dog Rescue, the dog must be returned to the rescue and must not be sold, given away or passed to another person without our written permission.
Final Decisions
All adoption decisions made by Best Life Dog Rescue are final and are based solely on what we believe to be in the best interests of each individual dog.
COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
Best Life Dog Rescue is run entirely by volunteers. While we will always aim to respond promptly, response times may occasionally be longer during periods of high demand or veterinary emergencies.
Best Life Dog Rescue is committed to treating everyone fairly, respectfully and professionally. We welcome genuine feedback as it helps us improve our service.
Raising a Complaint
Complaints should be made in writing by email wherever possible and should include:
- Your name and contact details.
- A clear description of your complaint.
- Any supporting information.
Complaints should normally be made within 28 days of the issue arising.
Our Process
We will:
- Acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days where possible.
- Investigate the matter fairly and objectively.
- Aim to provide a written response within 20 working days. If more time is needed, we will let you know.
Matters We Cannot Consider
We will not investigate complaints relating to:
- Adoption decisions.
- Rehoming decisions.
- Home check outcomes.
- Dogs accepted or declined by the rescue.
- Decisions made solely in the welfare interests of a dog.
These decisions are made by the charity’s trustees and are final.
Unacceptable Behaviour
We will not tolerate abusive, threatening, discriminatory or harassing behaviour towards our volunteers, foster carers or supporters.
Where such behaviour occurs, we reserve the right to:
- End communication.
- Restrict contact.
- Remove comments from our social media pages.
- Block users from our online platforms.
- Refer matters to the appropriate authorities where necessary.
Confidentiality
To protect the privacy of dogs, adopters, foster carers, volunteers and previous owners, we cannot discuss individual cases publicly or disclose confidential information.
Review
This policy will be reviewed periodically by the trustees to ensure it remains fair, effective and in line with the charity’s objectives.
Owner Surrender Policy
Our Commitment
Best Life Dog Rescue understands that surrendering a dog is an emotional and often difficult decision. We aim to support owners with compassion while ensuring that every decision made is in the best interests of the dog.
Requesting Help
Owners wishing to surrender a dog must complete our Surrender Request Form, providing honest and accurate information about the dog’s health, behaviour, history and reason for surrender.
Submitting a request does not guarantee that the rescue will be able to accept the dog. Acceptance depends on available foster space, resources and our ability to safely meet the dog’s needs.
Assessment
Where a dog is accepted, we will carry out an assessment of their health, behaviour and individual needs before identifying the most suitable permanent home.
Some dogs may require veterinary treatment, behavioural support or rehabilitation before being available for adoption.
Transfer of Ownership
When a dog is formally signed into the care of Best Life Dog Rescue, legal ownership and responsibility transfer to the charity in accordance with the signed surrender agreement.
From this point onwards:
- The rescue becomes responsible for all decisions regarding the dog’s care, veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and future.
- All rehoming decisions are made solely by the charity in the dog’s best interests.
- Previous owners are not involved in selecting or approving future homes.
- Due to confidentiality and data protection, we cannot discuss prospective adopters or disclose details of future placements.
Updates
Where appropriate, the rescue may provide limited updates to previous owners at its discretion. However, this is not guaranteed and may cease if it is no longer considered appropriate or in the best interests of the dog, the charity or those involved.
Our Promise
Every dog accepted by Best Life Dog Rescue is treated as an individual. Our sole priority is to ensure each dog receives the love, care, rehabilitation and permanent home they deserve.
Foster Carer Policy
Purpose
Foster carers play a vital role in helping dogs transition from previous homes into safe, loving permanent homes. We are extremely grateful for the time, commitment and care our foster carers provide.
Responsibilities of Foster Carers
Foster carers agree to:
- Provide a safe, secure and loving home environment.
- Follow guidance provided by the rescue regarding the dog’s care.
- Feed the dog appropriately and ensure fresh water is always available.
- Administer medication as instructed where applicable.
- Attend veterinary appointments arranged by the rescue when required.
- Notify the rescue promptly of any illness, injury or behavioural concerns.
- Keep the dog secure and never allow it to be rehomed, transferred or given away.
Ownership
All dogs remain the property of Best Life Dog Rescue throughout the fostering period.
Foster carers must not make decisions regarding adoption, rehoming or euthanasia without the written agreement of the charity.
Veterinary Care
All veterinary treatment must be authorised by the rescue except in genuine emergencies where immediate treatment is required to protect the dog’s welfare.
Adoption
Foster carers may express an interest in adopting their foster dog. However, this does not guarantee adoption, and all applications are assessed in exactly the same way as any other prospective adopter.
The charity reserves the right to place the dog in the home considered most suitable for that individual dog’s long-term welfare.
Support
Best Life Dog Rescue will provide ongoing advice and support throughout the fostering period wherever reasonably possible.
Our Commitment
We value every foster carer and recognise the enormous contribution they make. Together, our shared goal is to provide every dog with the opportunity to enjoy a safe, happy and permanent home.