Wags to Riches
Welcome
Welcome to our site! We are dedicated to helping you find the missing piece to complete your family by rehoming a dog. Rehoming a dog is a truly worthwhile endeavor, as it provides a loving home for a pet in need. With our full Rescue Back Up (RBU), we ensure thorough checks, ID verification, and tenancy agreement checks when necessary. We listen to you to understand your environment, lifestyle, needs and wants; we are here to help you find the perfect match for your family.
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Things to think about before adopting
Before You Adopt
Do your homework
Think about your lifestyle: activity level, time at home, children, other pets, and what kind of dog will suit you best.
Ask questions
We’ll always tell you everything we know about each dog’s background, personality, and needs.
Tip: Take your time. The right match is worth waiting for!
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Tips for Adopting a Rescue Dog
Rescue dogs don’t need perfection, just patience, love, and a safe place to call home. Here’s how to make your first days together calm, kind, and successful. Adoption is a journey, give your dog time to adjust and feel safe.
The First Few Weeks
Go slow — follow the 3–3–3 rule
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3 days to decompress
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3 weeks to learn your routine
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3 months to truly feel at home
Keep things calm
Limit visitors and big outings early on. Routine and quiet help reduce stress.
Expect a few hiccups
Even trained dogs can have accidents or regress when adjusting. Stay patient and use gentle, positive guidance.
Book a vet check
Confirm vaccinations, microchip details, and health records soon after adoption.
Remember
Every rescue dog has a story. With love, patience, and time, you’ll help them write a new one — filled with trust, comfort,and joy.
Getting Ready at Home
Create a safe space
Set up a quiet corner, crate, or comfy bed where your new dog can retreat and relax.
Dog-proof your home
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Move anything chewable or dangerous, like food, wires, or cleaning products out of reach.
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Block access to bins and tidy away small items.
Stock up on essentials
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Food, bowls, lead, collar and ID tag, toys, poo bags and treats.
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If possible, bring home a blanket or toy, familiar smells help them settle.
Building a Happy Future
Train with kindness
Reward good behaviour, treats, praise, and patience work wonders. Avoid shouting or punishment.
Stick to routines
Dogs thrive on predictability. Regular feeding, walks, and sleep times build confidence.
Socialise gently
Go at your dog’s pace. Too much too soon can overwhelm them.
Stay in touch
We love updates! Our team is always here to offer advice or support as you settle in together.
Building a Happy Future
Train with kindness
Reward good behaviour — treats, praise, and patience work wonders. Avoid shouting or punishment.
Stick to routines
Dogs thrive on predictability.
Regular feeding, walks, and sleep times build confidence.
Socialise gently
Go at your dog’s pace. Too much too soon can overwhelm them.
Stay in touch
We love updates! Our team is always here to offer advice or support as you settle in together.
Introducing a new dog to cats, dogs, and children should be done gradually and with care Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to make the process safe and positive for everyone.
Before You Start
1. Create a safe base:
Set up a quiet space (e.g., a separate room or gated area) where the dog can decompress for several days. Include: A comfortable bed, water, and toys. No direct interactions yet, just let the dog feel secure.
2. Observe and learn:
Watch for the dog’s stress signals (yawning, licking lips, turning away, tensing up). Note what seems to make them nervous or relaxed.
Introducing to other dogs
1: Parallel walks
Walk both dogs on leashes, at a comfortable distance (start with 10–15 feet apart). Allow them to sniff the air and observe each other without forcing contact.
Reward calm behavior with treats and praise.
2: Gradually close the gap
Over a few walks, shorten the distance as long as both dogs remain relaxed.
Let them sniff briefly (1–2 seconds) and separate calmly. If either dog stiffens, growls, or avoids, increase distance and go slower.
3: Controlled home introduction. Let them meet in a neutral area first (e.g., yard). Inside, supervise and keep sessions short at first.
Feed, play, and rest separately until you’re confident they’re comfortable together.
Introducing to cats
1: Keep them separated at first. Let the dog smell the cat’s bedding and vice versa. Reward calm curiosity, ignore overexcitement.
2: Controlled visual introduction. Use a baby gate or crate barrier so they can see but not touch. Keep sessions short (5–10 minutes) and positive.
3: Leashed interactions
Once both seem calm, let the dog see the cat while on a leash. If the dog fixates, stiffens, or lunges, calmly redirect and reward focus back on you. Continue until the dog can calmly observe the cat.
4: Supervised freedom
Only allow off-leash contact once both animals are relaxed. Always give the cat escape routes and high perches.
introducing to children
1. Teach the children first
Explain that the dog needs space and quiet. No hugging, chasing, or grabbing. Teach “invite, don’t invade”, the dog should come to them.
2. Start calm and slow.
Have the dog on a leash at first. Let the child toss treats toward the dog (not hand-feed initially). Reward calmness from both sides.
3. Monitor closely
Never leave the dog and children unsupervised, even briefly. Step in early if the dog seems stressed (ears back, moving away, freezing).
General Tips
Go at the dog’s pace. Rescue dogs need time to decompress (up to 3 weeks or more). Keep introductions short and end on a positive note. Use treats and praise to reinforce calm, friendly behaviour. Avoid punishment. Fear or stress can worsen reactivity. Seek professional help (trainer or behaviorist) if there’s aggression or fear.
Our dogs in kennels who are looking for a home.
Our dogs in foster homes who are looking for a home.
Rehomed Dogs
Fundraising
Some of our dogs are currently in kennels. This can be for a variety of reasons, including allowing us to assess their behaviour, and to keep them safe while we look for a suitable home. This comes at a cost. If you would like to make a donation to help with the kennel fees for these dogs, please use the donate link below.
Feedback
"We've just adopted the beautiful Molly through Wags to Riches. The communication was first class, always happy to answer questions and sort things out, whatever the day or time. From the second I submitted the application (and forgot to change one of the options) they were responsive to everything. They obviously care about the dogs they're rehoming, were very thorough in making sure everything was in order and that Molly was going to the right place. Couldn't be happier with the new addition to our household. Thanks Kayla, Dawn and Becky for such a smooth and well managed process."
Kevin Harrison, 20th September 2025