Adopting a dog
There are thousands of great dogs available for adoption in the UK. However, if you’re looking to adopt a schnauzer, it will require a good degree of patience and research, as unlike some breeds, they’re not found in large numbers, or frequently, in rescue centres. This shouldn’t put off would-be adopters, as to source a well-bred puppy - of any breed - will require the same level of patience and research; good breeders have waiting lists and wish to build a relationship over time with potential puppy buyers. It should not be a quick or easy process, without thought and research to bring a new family member into our lives, whether by adoption or puppy purchase.
We are not a rehoming charity or breed rescue. We support reputable organisations by paying vet bills. We can, on occasion assist by connecting people with the right organisation and vice-versa.
At the current time, there is little regulation that governs adoption and rehoming. As an unregulated part of the lucrative and complex dog business, potential adopters are advised to do as much research as possible, the same as when buying a puppy.
Some ‘rescues’ are fronts for puppy farmers/low welfare breeders. Especially those which are mostly active on social media. Please take care when using social media as your route to acquiring a dog. It is not where we would recommend you look.
Need to give up your dog?
Finding a dog to adopt
The advice given here is relevant to all dogs, but written with the thought that many reading will be looking to adopt a schnauzer.
PetRehomer has been created by Charity Buddy, a registered animal welfare charity (no. 1189284). It aims to bring together potential adopters with those who are looking to rehome their dogs. The website has some good advice and tips and is worthwhile taking a look at when starting your adoption plans.
Rescue Centres
Look at all your local rescue centres regularly. Schnauzers do come into rescue, but not as often as other breeds. It’s also worth researching centres further afield - some will have geographic limits on adoption, others won’t. Contact the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes for a list of members, it’s a good starting point as members agree to uphold the highest standards in animal welfare, are inspected and undergo thorough assessment procedures to be accepted as members.
Check here to see most of the rescues which have received our help.
Look to see if a rescue is a registered charity. While no guarantee of good standards of rehoming practice or welfare, it will give some accountability and transparency to how a rescue operates. Some businesses that offer dogs for adoption are not charities, they are profiting from it.
The big national charities are: Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, RSPCA, SSPCA, USPCA, DSPCA, ISPCA
Breed Rescues
Breed rescue coordinators are worth making contact with. You will need to be patient. They certainly have schnauzers needing rehoming but it’s never predictable who, when and where. Contacts for the breed club’s rescue coordinators are given here:
Miniature Schnauzer Club of Great Britain, Schnauzer Club of Great Britain, Northern Schnauzer Club
Miniature Schnauzer Rescue Ireland - a registered charity dedicated to rehoming schnauzers
Pet selling sites and social media based rescues
While there may be some examples of good rehoming practices in this side of the dog business it’s the Wild-West of rehoming and rescue and the least advisable - albeit, and regrettably, the easiest - way to find a dog to adopt.
Puppy farmers, bad breeders, dealers, all sorts of fraudsters, exploiters and fakes populate these sites. Some social media ‘rescue’ groups buy dogs up from the selling sites using donations canvassed from well meaning but naive supporters and then put the dogs up for ‘adoption’ - this is not rescue. It is another aspect of buying and selling dogs under the guise of rescue.
Take a read of the advice from the Pet Advertising Advisory Group and report any adverts that look suspicious to them.
To be in the most knowledgeable position possible before looking to adopt a dog, please also read our Puppy Farming Awareness page. Puppy farming is as much a problem when looking for a rescue dog as it is when searching to buy a puppy.