Owning any animal is a great responsibility for the lifetime of that animal. All dogs and puppies need a lot of love, care and attention. They need a responsible person willing to take time to work with them at building a bond that will last a life time.
We strongly believe the dogs in our care deserve the promise of a brighter future. Whilst they are given the best possible care at the centre, nothing can replace being part of a loving family. Unfortunately new homes are very hard to find. Please think carefully about whether you can give a dog the care it needs before contacting us to adopt a dog.
When taking on a dog you are making it part of your family. Would you abandon your child just because you are moving house, getting divorced or if your child is naughty? These are some reasons people have given for rehoming their dog! There are serious considerations when taking on a dog, not just the day to day care of feeding and exercising the dog or whether you can afford vets bills but whether you can accommodate a dog even if your life changes dramatically.
All our puppies need a lot of training and patience. They will need house training and to learn basic commands. A lot of our dogs, particularly the older ones need someone a little extra special as they have suffered neglect and abuse. Some of our dogs have spent years living in municipal kennels or on the streets.
We have some dogs that have lived in houses and so are house trained and know basic commands. Some of these dogs have not spent much time at the centre and so are not institutionalized yet.
All our dogs and puppies that need new homes are used to daily human contact, none of the dogs we rehome are dangerous. Some are very nervous and timid of humans after years of abuse but with the proper care and training could become a loving family member.
We can not guarantee how some of our dogs are with children but if you do want to adopt a dog and have children we will ensure the dog is right for your family.
We do are very best to ensure the right dog or puppy is matched with the right owner. We talk to prospective owners about their needs and their experience with keeping a dog.
We do not rehome dogs to anyone who wants to breed from them, hunt with them or use them for fighting. We do not rehome dogs to anyone that will keep the dog chained up for all the time or if the dog is let out to roam the streets all day. We only rehome dogs with people who agree to sterilize it if it hasn't been done already. Prospective owners will be required to sign a declaration adhering to this before taking their dog home. Dog owners in Portugal are required to get a dog licence from the junta de freguesia. To obtain a licence the dog must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.
We do not make home visits initially but if the new owner does not keep in contact with the centre in the first year after adopting a dog we will try and make contact and visit the new owner at their home.
All dogs will have under gone a complete health check before rehoming.
Cantinho da Lili adoption procedure:
Prospective owner visits Cantinho da Lili to meet dogs. We assess needs of prospective owner.
Prospective owner chooses dog.
Prospective owner meets dog at Serra da Estrela Veterinary Clinic where health check is given. Worming, Flea and Tick treatment are given if necesarry at no cost.
Prospective owner to sign to accept terms and conditions of rehoming.
Prospective owner takes over ownership of dog from Cantiho da Lili.
Owner takes dog home.
Owner to send photos to Cantinho da Lili and keep in contact with Cantinho da Lili for first year.
Cantinho da Lili terms and conditions of rehoming:
New owner agrees to keep dog safe and healthy.
New owner agrees to have dog sterilized if not already.
New owner agrees not to use dog for breeding, hunting or fighting.
New owner agrees not to chain up dog for long periods of time, not to house dog in cramped conditions and not to let dog run loose on the streets.
New owner agrees to get dog vaccinated and microchipped if not already.
New owner agrees to obtain licence from junta de freguesia.
See the FAQs for more information on dog care, vaccination, microchips and sterilization.