Adoption FAQs

The first step is to complete our application form here. If you did not see a suitable dog on our adoption page, you can complete the form without mentioning a particular dog.

We will always contact you after receiving your application to confirm whether we believe you could be a suitable home for one of our dogs. If so, we will then organise a home check. During the visit the home checker will inspect your home and garden for suitability for a Setter and go through some questions related to the character of the dog you applied for or generally of Setters. 

Following the visit, the home checker will send a completed form to us for final approval. We will then inform you of the outcome of your application.

The same process will apply for fostering one of our dogs. The form to foster a dog is available here.

Whether the dog is still in Italy or in foster in the UK, you will be provided with a date when your dog will be taken to your home. And we will finalise the paperwork with you (adoption/foster agreement etc).

We always recommend to let the dog become familiar with you and your home, before going out for a walk. If coming directly from Italy, the dog must not be moved for 48 hours following arrival. This is a legal requirement (short walks and trips to the vets are obviously permitted but the dog needs to remain at the address during that time). We absolutely discourage letting your dog off the lead when it arrives unless in a securely fenced environment.

It is a condition of the adoption agreement that if circumstances change and you are no longer able or willing to keep the dog, the dog is returned to us.

No, but we do take a responsible approach to ensuring the age, energy levels and needs of the dog suit the potential adopter.

We do not have age restrictions for dogs being adopted where there are children in the family. It will depend on the individual dogs and how dog savvy the children are.

You can still adopt one of our dogs if you have a cat or other pets, such as rabbits, hens etc. However, it is not possible for us to assess how our dogs will react in all circumstances. Therefore, we ask the prospective adopter to contact us prior to submitting their application and discuss this topic to determine the most suitable dog.

Yes you can have one of our dogs if you live in a rented accommodation but we require a written letter of consent from the landlord.

We do not rehome, even on a temporary basis, our dogs into homes where there is no garden or where the outdoor space is shared. We accept a private fenced courtyard for the dog to run around as long as it is not shared.

Yes, all our dogs are microchipped. Upon arrival, the microchip will be registered with Pettrac, one of the leading databases in Great Britain.

We strongly recommend the use of a tracker (eg Tractive or other brands) that can be of huge help if your dog is lost.

All SOS Italian Setters dogs, unless of a young age or for health reasons, are neutered prior to adoption

Yes, but you must make arrangements for someone to visit during the day e.g. a registered dog walker/sitter. We think dogs should not be left for more than 4 hours

The adoption fee is £600, which is a contribution towards the cost of care and transport of the dog from Italy to the UK prior to adoption. This allows us to continue to help dogs waiting to be rescued

Adopters can collect the dogs directly from the fosterers but when required, we can organise transport at the cost of the adopters.

Once your home is approved, you are more than welcome to visit the dog.

The fosterer pays all normal daily costs including food, flea and tick treatment, dog sitter/walker etc. the charity covers the dogs' vet bills.