Dogs Trust

WHO’LL BE THERE FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND?

None of us want to think about the worst happening. Should you pass away, become seriously ill or need to move into a nursing home, it's important to know that your best friend will be looked after.

Dogs Trust are here to help.

Apply for your free Dogs Trust Canine Care Card today.

Or, if you would rather speak with a member of our team for more information on this free service, please enter your details here.

Sign up for a Canine Care Card and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing if something happens to you, Dogs Trust will be there for your best friend.

We know that yours will be some big shoes to fill. But we’ll do everything we can to find your dog the right, kind and caring new owner. Making sure that they get all the love, cuddles, care and attention they need to live out a happy, healthy and fulfilling life.

Our Promise to You

  1. Dogs Trust will never put a healthy dog down. You can rest assured your dog will be kept safe, warm, fed, looked after and loved.
  2. Your dog will receive a full veterinary and behavioural assessment as well as a whole lot of love and care in our Rehoming Centre until we find the perfect Forever Home that suits their individual needs.
  3. We are committed to finding the perfect Forever home for your dog, no matter how long that takes.
  4. Our Canine Care Card service is free of charge, and this is only possible thanks to support from generous people like you.

Bruno's Story - How a Canine Care Card Saved my Life

"I was heartbroken when my owner passed away. The person who I loved the most in the world was gone. But Dogs Trust were there to show me I wasn't alone. You see, my owner had a plan to make sure I was looked after when he was gone. He had a Dogs Trust Canine Care Card, and I'm so grateful to him for that. Dogs Trust gave me a place to call home. It took time but the care, love and hugs I got from the Canine Carers helped my little heart begin to mend. I'm an older fella and I struggle with a few health and joint issues. But it's thanks to generous supporters like you that Dogs Trust can give dogs like me all the veterinary care they need to be happy and healthy. Dogs Trust never give up on old dogs like me who can still live a healthy life. 

 

You can sign up for your Free Canine Care Card here. If you do, you might also consider leaving a gift to Dog Trust in your Will. Your gift will help to make sure we will always be there for the dogs like Bruno who need us.

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Dogs Trust Simple Steps to Enjoying Peace of Mind

Give yourself peace of mind that your precious friend will be safe and loved, no matter what, today. It will only take a few minutes of your time. It's the best way to ensure your best friend will be loved and cared for if they ever need us.

1. You can fill out the application online or request an application by post. Once we have processed your form, we'll send you your card, free of charge.

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2. Once you receive your card, you'll need to complete it straight away. It's wallet size, so you can carry it on you always.

3. Choose someone to be your dog’s guardian so that if you pass away, become seriously ill or have to move into a nursing home, they can sign over ownership of your dog to Dogs Trust on your behalf.

4. Leave clear instructions in your will stating that you would like Dogs Trust to care for your dog(s). This is vital to ensuring your final wishes are honoured. Here's some suggested wording you can use: "It is also my wish that Dogs Trust care for and rehome any dogs I may own at the time of my death."

Should you have any questions, please call us on 01 879 1843, or email [email protected]  

Frequently Asked Questions

What would happen if your dog came to Dogs Trust?

If you pass away and have registered as a Canine Care Card holder, we will arrange to bring your dog or dogs to our rehoming centre. Once there, they will be examined by our Veterinary team and cared for by our dedicated, trained staff.

We will then try to find your dog or dogs new owners whose lifestyle and experience match their needs. Any new owners would attend a pre-adoption talk and be given a thorough briefing in caring for your dog.

How can a friend or family member join?

If you do not have a furry best friend but know someone who may be interested in getting a Canine Care Card, you can download a copy of the brochure here to pass on to them. It may be difficult to speak with someone you love about passing away, but they’re important conversations to have. It will lead to peace of mind knowing that, if they were to pass unexpectedly, their dog will be cared for by people who love dogs just as much as they do. You can help them fill out the forms or leave them to fill them out in their own time. Alternatively, have them call Katie on 01 879 1843 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday to have a chat about the Canine Care Card.

How do I join the Canine Care Card scheme?

1. You can fill out the application online by clicking HERE. Once we have processed your form, we’ll send you your card free of charge.

If you have request to receive an application by post, please complete and return your form and we’ll send you your card.

2. Once you receive your card, you'll need to complete it straight away. It's wallet size, so you can carry it on you always.

3. Choose someone to be your dog’s guardian so that if you pass away, become seriously ill or must move into a nursing home, they can sign over ownership of your dog to Dogs Trust on your behalf.

4. Leave clear instructions in your will stating that you would like Dogs Trust to care for your dog(s). This is vital to ensuring your final wishes are honoured. Here’s some suggested wording you can use:

“It is also my wish that Dogs Trust care for and rehome any dogs I may own at the time of my death.”

Press play to find out why Máirín signed up to be a Canine Care Card Holder for her dogs Tico and Kimmie.

"I absolutely adore my dogs Tico & Kimmie. I would be heartbroken to imagine them left all alone if I was to pass away suddenly. I decided to register for a Dogs Trust free Canine Care Card to give me peace of mind, knowing my cheeky caps will be so well cared for in the future by Dogs Trust."

Máirín DeBurca, Canine Care Card holder.

Disclaimer

At Dogs Trust, we love all dogs. And though we want to be able to care for any dog whose owner has passed away or become seriously ill, there are some cases where this might not be possible. Unfortunately, we are unable to activate a Canine Care Card if your dog falls into one of the categories below:

  • To protect the other dogs in our care, along with our staff and volunteers, we are unable to take in dogs that pose a danger to human life or other dogs in our care. This could be aggression issues or a contagious medical condition.
  • Where we find it would not be in the best interests of the health and/or welfare of your dog.
  • Ireland has managed to eradicate or control certain illnesses and diseases that impact the dog population. Therefore, to protect the dogs in our care, we are unfortunately unable to accept dogs currently living overseas and would recommend that you make local provision for your dog’s care.

Of course, we know that dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and they all come with a different story. And we want to hear it! So, if you are unsure whether your dog falls into one of these categories, please call us on 01 879 1000 and our dedicated team will be more than happy to discuss this with you.

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