Sanctuary & Animal Welfare

Adoption & Fostering Policy

This policy explains how the HEADTURNED Sanctuary assesses, approves, and supports people who adopt or foster animals in our care, and the responsibilities that come with offering a home.

This document should be read alongside our Animal Intake & Surrender Policy, Animal Welfare & Care Standards, and Rehabilitation & Rewilding Policy once those are published.

1. Purpose and scope

The purpose of this Adoption & Fostering Policy is to set out how the HEADTURNED Sanctuary (the Sanctuary) matches animals with safe, suitable homes, whether on a permanent adoption basis or a temporary fostering arrangement.

This policy applies to all animals considered for adoption or fostering and to all individuals or households who apply to adopt or foster through the Sanctuary.

2. Definitions

  • Adopter refers to a person or household approved to give an animal a permanent home through the Sanctuary's adoption process.
  • Foster carer refers to a person or household approved to provide a temporary home for an animal, usually while longer-term plans are made.
  • Adoption refers to the transfer of ongoing care responsibilities for an animal from the Sanctuary to an approved Adopter.
  • Fostering refers to a time-limited arrangement where the animal remains under the legal responsibility of the Sanctuary while living with a Foster carer.
  • Guardian refers to the Sanctuary or any individual or organisation that holds legal responsibility for an animal at a given time.

3. Guiding principles

All adoption and fostering decisions are guided by the Sanctuary's wider mission and our commitment to animal welfare. In particular, we aim to:

  • Place the welfare, safety, and long-term interests of the animal at the centre of every decision.
  • Match animals with homes that can meet their physical, behavioural, and emotional needs.
  • Work honestly and transparently with Adopters and Foster carers about known needs, risks, and uncertainties.
  • Support Adopters and Foster carers with clear information, guidance, and, where possible, ongoing advice.

4. Eligibility to adopt or foster

We welcome applications from a wide range of households, and we assess each application on its own merits. However, to be eligible to adopt or foster through the Sanctuary, applicants will normally need to:

  • Be at least 18 years of age, or older where required by law or by the needs of a particular species.
  • Have the consent of all adults living in the household to proceed with the application.
  • Be able to demonstrate a stable living situation suitable for the species and individual animal being considered.
  • Be willing and able to meet the ongoing costs of caring for the animal (such as food, enrichment, routine veterinary care, and insurance where appropriate).
  • Agree to follow the Sanctuary's guidance and any additional conditions set out in adoption or fostering agreements.

We do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics. Our only focus is whether the home is safe and suitable for the animal.

5. Application and assessment process

People who wish to adopt or foster will normally be asked to complete an application form or enquiry, after which the Sanctuary may:

  • Review the information provided to understand the applicant's experience, environment, and expectations.
  • Conduct a conversation or interview to explore the applicant's needs and any questions they may have.
  • Arrange a home check, where appropriate, to better understand the environment an animal would be living in.
  • Request references or additional information where this will help us make a safer and more informed decision.

Completing an application does not guarantee approval. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and always with the animal's welfare in mind.

6. Home checks and environment

Home checks, whether in-person or virtual, are a key part of ensuring that an environment is suitable for a particular animal. During a home check, we may consider factors such as:

  • The physical layout of the home and any outdoor areas, including security (for example fencing, access to roads or hazards).
  • The presence of children or other animals and how they may interact.
  • The availability of appropriate space, shelter, and enrichment for the species and individual animal.
  • Any specific adaptations needed for animals with disabilities or special needs.

A home check is not an inspection in the sense of a regulatory visit; it is a collaborative process to help everyone decide whether the match is right.

7. Matching animals to homes

Not every home will be suitable for every animal. Our team will consider the needs and history of each animal and match them with applicants who can best meet those needs. Factors may include:

  • Energy levels and exercise requirements.
  • Any known behavioural considerations or triggers.
  • Medical needs and likely future treatment requirements.
  • Whether the animal is best suited to an adult-only home, a home with children, or a home with other animals.

We may decline to place a particular animal in a specific home even where the applicant is generally suitable, if we believe another match is safer or more appropriate for that animal.

8. Trial periods and fostering

In some circumstances, we may offer an initial trial period or a fostering arrangement before a full adoption is confirmed. During this time:

  • The animal may remain under the legal responsibility of the Sanctuary.
  • The Adopter or Foster carer agrees to follow the guidance we provide and to keep in close contact about how the animal is settling.
  • We may adjust or withdraw the placement if we have serious concerns about the safety or welfare of the animal, people, or other animals in the home.

Any trial or fostering arrangements will be set out clearly in writing, including who is responsible for veterinary costs and decision-making during that period.

9. Adoption and fostering agreements

Where an adoption or fostering placement is agreed, the Sanctuary will normally ask the Adopter or Foster carer to sign an agreement setting out:

  • The identity and basic details of the animal.
  • Any known medical or behavioural information that is relevant to day-to-day care.
  • Responsibilities of the Adopter or Foster carer, including daily care, safety, and seeking veterinary help when needed.
  • Any conditions specific to that animal (for example, not to live with other animals, or to remain on certain medication unless advised otherwise by a vet).

Agreements are designed to protect the animal and to make expectations clear for everyone involved.

10. Fees, donations and costs

The Sanctuary may request an adoption fee or invite a donation as part of the adoption process. The purpose of this is to contribute towards the costs of the animal's care and to help us support other animals in need.

Any fees or donations will be explained clearly in advance. We will also make clear which ongoing costs remain the responsibility of the Adopter or Foster carer, such as food, routine veterinary care, and insurance, unless alternative arrangements are agreed in writing.

11. Responsibilities of adopters and foster carers

By adopting or fostering through the Sanctuary, you agree to:

  • Provide a safe, stable, and caring environment for the animal.
  • Ensure the animal has appropriate nutrition, exercise, and enrichment for their species and individual needs.
  • Seek prompt veterinary care if the animal appears unwell, injured, or in distress.
  • Follow any specific guidance provided by the Sanctuary, for example regarding introductions to other animals or managing known behaviours.
  • Keep the Sanctuary informed if your circumstances change in a way that may affect the animal's welfare.

12. Ongoing support and aftercare

We aim, within our capacity, to provide reasonable support and guidance after an adoption or fostering placement. This may include:

  • Check-ins during the early stages of a placement.
  • Advice or signposting on behaviour, integration with other animals, or practical care questions.
  • Liaison with veterinary professionals where appropriate and with the Adopter's consent.

While we cannot guarantee to resolve every challenge, we will approach concerns in good faith and with the animal's welfare as our first priority.

13. Returns and re-surrenders

We recognise that, despite everyone's best efforts, some placements may not work out. If an Adopter or Foster carer feels unable to continue caring for an animal, we ask that:

  • They contact the Sanctuary as soon as possible to discuss the situation.
  • They do not rehome, sell, or pass the animal to another person or organisation without our consent, unless this is explicitly allowed in the agreement.

We will work with the Adopter or Foster carer to agree the next steps, which may include the animal returning to Sanctuary care. In some cases we may need to plan a safe timeframe for the return if space is limited, but we will always treat such situations sensitively.

14. When we may decline or end a placement

The Sanctuary reserves the right to decline an application or to bring a placement to an end where:

  • We have concerns that the environment is not safe or suitable for the animal.
  • We have evidence of neglect, abuse, or failure to follow essential welfare guidance.
  • Significant information provided during the application had been knowingly withheld or misrepresented.

Any such decisions are taken seriously and, wherever appropriate, we will explain our reasons and signpost to other sources of support.

15. Animals not suitable for adoption

Some animals in our care may never be made available for adoption or fostering. This may be because of:

  • Complex medical or behavioural needs.
  • Legal or licensing restrictions that require the animal to remain in a particular type of setting.
  • The nature of their role within the Sanctuary (for example, as part of an established group whose welfare would be harmed by separation).

In such cases, our focus is on providing long-term sanctuary and high standards of care within our own facilities.

16. Records, privacy and data protection

We keep records relating to adoption and fostering applications, home checks, agreements, and ongoing contact. Personal information is handled in line with our Privacy Notice and any applicable data protection laws.

We use this information to assess suitability, support placements, and meet our legal and safeguarding responsibilities. We will not sell personal data and we will only share it with third parties where this is lawful and necessary, such as with veterinary professionals or authorities in a safeguarding context.

17. Questions, concerns and complaints

If you have questions about this policy or concerns about how it has been applied, you can contact us using the details on our website.

Formal complaints will be handled in line with our Complaints & Feedback Policy once published.

18. Review and updates

This policy will be reviewed periodically and may be updated to reflect changes in law, best practice in animal welfare, or the development of the Sanctuary's facilities and programmes.

The version published on the HEADTURNED Foundation website is the version currently in force.

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