Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home has started to rehome animals from this week as it adapts to life after lockdown
An animal rehoming centre is opening today for the first time in almost three months.
With lockdown measures beginning to ease, animal welfare charity Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has announced that they will start rehoming dogs and cats again from today (Monday 15 June).
The home had to close its doors to rehoming on 23 March when the nation went into lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although the charity wasn’t able to find new homes for the animals in their care, frontline staff were still working hard to care for the many dogs and cats at the centre. In addition, the home has continued to take in stray, lost and abandoned dogs and cats throughout the pandemic.
With social distancing measures still fully in place, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has had to completely overhaul its rehoming process. Now, all initial rehoming enquiries will be taken via an online form, followed by a telephone interview for people who may be a match for an animal. Only then if the interview is successful will the person be invited down to meet the dog or cat of their choice and discuss their rehoming further in a socially distant and safe manner. Walk-in visits will not be allowed whilst social distancing measures remain in place.
Nonnie Kent, rehoming operations manager, said: “We are so excited to be able to start rehoming again. There are so many amazing dogs and cats ready and waiting for their forever homes and we know that there are so many people who are waiting to rehome.
“Whilst many people are spending a lot more time at home at the moment, we would strongly encourage anyone who is thinking about bringing a new pet into their life to carefully think through what their lifestyle will be post-pandemic and how a dog or cat will fit into that. We know just how much joy a pet can bring and we want to make sure we find that perfect match.”
The charity has released a new film featuring some of the people who have rehomed a pet from Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home before the pandemic hit, sharing their rehoming experiences.
For more information on rehoming, visit the charity’s website.
