Rescue dogs for adoption and rehoming in and around Birmingham

None of the kennel-based dog rescues we list is inside the City of Birmingham. Birmingham Dogs Home, the one most people search for by name, has its two centres at Catherine-de-Barnes in Solihull and at Coven, near Wolverhampton. Wythall Animal Sanctuary is at Kings Norton, on the edge of the city, and The Animal House Rescue, a small Birmingham-based rescue, keeps its few dogs in foster homes.

Three greyhound rescues sit close to the city: Home Run Hounds has kennels at Hagley, Shenstone and Wombourne, Greyhound Trust Wolverhampton is in Wolverhampton, and Daybreaks Trust is at Elmdon in Solihull. Our Birmingham dog rescues guide compares every rescue we list.

This page lists dogs from about 25 miles around the city, nearest first, and you apply with the rescue: each runs its own application, home check and fee.

Birmingham City Council says "Anyone who finds a stray dog must inform us and has a legal obligation to hand the dog to either its owner or us". It collects strays the next working day, with no collection outside office hours.

That covers the City of Birmingham only: for a dog found outside the city, the council says to contact the relevant local council. A vet can scan a found dog for a microchip, which the council says should be done free of charge.

Birmingham Dogs Home says it cares for stray, abandoned and relinquished dogs from across the West Midlands and South Staffordshire.

Birmingham-area rescues that publish a fee start at £150. Wythall Animal Sanctuary charges £150, £250 or £350, shown on each dog's page, Greyhound Trust Wolverhampton £250, and Birmingham Dogs Home between £250 and £400. Paws A While Shelter charges £200 to £350 by age, and Small Dog Rescue from £350 upwards, by breed and vet treatment.

For a greyhound, Home Run Hounds asks a £200 donation, less the £30 non-refundable deposit that reserves the dog, and Daybreaks Trust a £200 minimum donation, with £25 to reserve, each its own process. Brighter Days Rescue says "adoption fees vary".

At Birmingham Dogs Home the fee covers neutering, flea and worm treatment, a microchip and four weeks' free insurance (its FAQs).

Each rescue sets its own adoption fee. Dogs Trust charges £300 for a puppy or adult dog in England, Wales and Scotland, and Blue Cross fees start from £235 for dogs aged 8 or over and £335 for dogs aged 1 to 7. The fee usually covers neutering, microchipping and first vaccinations, and each rescue confirms its own fee.

These are the rules Birmingham adopters meet most often (how to choose a Birmingham rescue). Check them before you apply.

• Your garden. Birmingham Dogs Home wants a secure garden with at least 4ft fencing, Wythall Animal Sanctuary 5ft for dogs, and Brighter Days Rescue says "A back garden secured by a 6-foot high fence is a must".
• Flats and renting. Small Dog Rescue says "Flats and bedsits are not acceptable". If you rent, have your landlord's permission ready: Birmingham Dogs Home asks for it.
• Young children. Wythall Animal Sanctuary doesn't rehome to homes with children under 3, Pawprints Dog Rescue not to children under 9 unless the dog is known to be good with them, and Brighter Days Rescue not to children under 10 for an adult dog.
• Long days. Brighter Days Rescue says "Preferably no full-time workers", Small Dog Rescue is unlikely to rehome to anyone out at work all day, and Wythall Animal Sanctuary asks that dogs aren't left for longer than 4 hours.
• Where you live. Paws A While Shelter rehomes only within 30 miles of Alrewas, Wythall Animal Sanctuary gives priority to homes within 15 miles, and Ravens Rescue UK rehomes only within the West Midlands.

Birmingham City Council's own list of local rescue centres names these charities. We don't list their dogs, so search their own sites.

• Dogs Trust Kenilworth is at Honiley near Kenilworth, about 13 miles from the city. You can browse on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4pm.
• The Blue Cross Bromsgrove rehoming centre is at Catshill. You apply through the form on the pet's profile, and you can't meet a pet without an appointment.
• The RSPCA has its Birmingham Animal Centre at Frankley. The RSPCA also rehomes animals; search on its own site.

Our greyhound adoption guide compares the three greyhound rescues near the city, and the greyhound and lurcher pages list every one nearest first. We have guides too for Staffies, German Shepherds, Labradors and Cockapoos.

Need to rehome your own dog instead? Our Birmingham rehoming page sets out the local routes, including Dogs Trust's Homestay scheme, Blue Cross Home Direct and Birmingham Dogs Home, which says it is "not able to take in every dog".