Rehoming your dog, cat or rabbit in Scotland
Checked 6 October 2026
The short answer
The Scottish SPCA says its centres are at capacity and can’t take animals right now, so start with Dogs Trust (centres in Glasgow and West Calder, and a foster-based team in Dundee), Cats Protection for cats, and Dog Aid Scotland, which rehomes dogs while they stay with you. You can also list your pet free on LocalPetFinder from anywhere in Scotland. Before a dog changes hands in Scotland, it must be microchipped and your own details on the chip database must be correct.
List your pet in Scotland for free
Every listing checked by a person. Adopters message you through the site; your details stay private.
City guides in Scotland
You can list from anywhere in Scotland. These city guides add the local rescues that take owners’ pets.
Charities in Scotland that take owners’ pets
Dogs Trust (Scotland)dogs · Glasgow (G71), West Calder (EH55), and foster homes around Dundee
Homestay keeps your dog with you while Dogs Trust finds an adopter, or you wait for a kennel place. Giving up a dog is free; start with 0300 303 2188 or its online form.
Dog Aid Scotlanddogs · Edinburgh-based, covers all of Scotland
Has no kennels: every dog stays with its owner while it looks for a new home. It can’t rehome dogs that are aggressive to people.
Beloved Rabbitsrabbits · Kirkintilloch (G66); Scotland only
Takes rehoming requests from anywhere in Scotland. Expect it to take “typically between 2 weeks and 3 months”.
National charity schemes
Dogs Trustdogs
Two routes: Homestay, where your dog stays with you while Dogs Trust finds a new home (it says Homestay dogs "generally find a new home within two weeks"), or a kennel or foster place, which "could take a few weeks". Giving up a dog to Dogs Trust is free, and it aims to reply within 72 hours. Start with a call on 0300 303 2188 or its online form.
Cats Protectioncats
Contact your local Cats Protection branch or centre (not its charity shops), and plan ahead: "there can often be waiting lists". Its Home to Home scheme lets your cat stay at home while it's rehomed, with no specific fee.
Rabbit rescuesrabbits
The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund doesn't rehome rabbits itself, but points owners to Rescue Review, Save a Fluff and Rabbit Rehome to find a local rescue. It also asks you never to split a bonded pair.
The law in Scotland when you rehome a pet
Chip the dog, and check your own details first
In Scotland, no keeper may pass a dog to a new keeper until it’s microchipped and the keeper details on the database are correct (Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016, reg. 10). That second part is a Scottish extra: update your own record before the handover. The new keeper then registers their details. Microchipping cats is optional in Scotland.
XL Bullies can’t be rehomed
Scottish guidance lists it as unlawful to “sell, give away or rehome an XL Bully” (gov.scot).
Do you need a rehoming licence?
Not for rehoming your own pet. Scotland licenses “animal rehoming activities” when someone supplies an animal they didn’t breed during a 12-month period in which they supply at least four others (Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021, schedule 1). One family pet is well below that.
Before you rehome: worth trying first
Ask the breeder or rescue you got them from
The RSPCA's first suggestion is to contact the original seller. Responsible breeders and most rescues will take an animal back. Dogs Trust says it will "always take back a dog adopted from us".
Get help with the problem itself
Many rehomings are about behaviour, housing or money rather than the pet. Battersea runs a Behaviour Advice Line for dog owners, and PDSA is a vet charity for pets of people who qualify for help. Both are worth checking before you decide.
Keep your pet at home while they’re rehomed
If you can wait a little, stay-at-home schemes spare your pet a kennel: Dogs Trust Homestay and Cats Protection Home to Home. Listing on LocalPetFinder works the same way: your pet stays with you until you've chosen the new home.
Rehoming a particular breed?
Each guide covers what to tell adopters about the breed, and the breed rescues that take owners’ pets.
Dogs
Rehoming a pet in Scotland: your questions
Tap a question to expand
Will the Scottish SPCA take my pet?
Not at the moment: it says its centres “are at capacity and we are unable to accept any more animals at this time” (Scottish SPCA). It suggests asking your pet’s breeder to take them back, then contacting other rescues such as Dogs Trust, Cats Protection and Dog Aid Scotland.
Does Blue Cross rehome pets in Scotland?
Blue Cross lists no rehoming centre in Scotland; its rehoming locations are in England and Wales. Dogs Trust, Cats Protection and the Scottish rescues on this page are the places to start.
How do I rehome my dog in Scotland?
You have three routes: list your dog yourself on LocalPetFinder (free, with every listing checked by a person and messages relayed so your details stay private), ask a local rescue to take them, or use a national scheme such as Dogs Trust Homestay, which keeps your dog at home while it finds a new owner. Whichever you choose, your dog must be microchipped and the chip transferred to the new keeper.
Is it free to rehome my pet?
Listing on LocalPetFinder is free. Giving up a dog to Dogs Trust is free; many other rescues ask for a donation but, the RSPCA says, will still help if you're struggling financially.
Can I charge a rehoming fee?
You can ask for a rehoming fee, paid at the handover after the adopter has met your pet, and never as a deposit beforehand. PAAG's worry with "free to good home" adverts is that people may take an animal on impulse and that a free advert "may devalue an animal" (PAAG). A fee does make the handover a sale, though, so animals can't go to anyone under 16 and you should be honest about your pet's health.
How long does it take to rehome a pet?
It varies. Dogs Trust says a kennel space "could take a few weeks", while dogs on its Homestay scheme "generally find a new home within two weeks". On LocalPetFinder your listing is reviewed usually within a day and then goes live to adopters near you.
What about rehoming a rabbit?
Rabbit rescues are often full, so start early. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund suggests your vet's noticeboard and local rescues (found through Rescue Review, Save a Fluff or Rabbit Rehome), never a "free to good home" advert. Keep a bonded pair together. You can list rabbits on LocalPetFinder too.
Can I rehome a puppy or kitten?
Not on LocalPetFinder: we only list animals aged 6 months or older, in the spirit of Lucy's Law. If you have a young animal or a litter, a rescue can help.
More help
List your pet in Scotland for free
Every listing checked by a person. Adopters message you through the site; your details stay private.
Sources: Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016, reg. 10 · gov.uk: Get your dog or cat microchipped · gov.scot: XL Bully dog rules · Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021, schedule 1 · Scottish SPCA: Giving up your pet · Dogs Trust: Giving up your dog · Dogs Trust: Our centres · Dog Aid Scotland: Re-homing process · Beloved Rabbits: Rescue & rehoming