Rescue dogs for adoption and rehoming in and around Swansea

The rescues that list dogs near Swansea are all to the north and west of the city. Many Tears Animal Rescue is at Cefneithin, in Carmarthenshire, about 16 miles north west (its dogs are filed under Llanelli), and Greyhound Rescue Wales has its Hillcrest kennels at Garnant, near Ammanford, about 12 miles north, rehoming greyhounds and lurchers.

West Wales Poundies Dog Rescue takes dogs from council pounds into kennels near Llandeilo, about 18 miles north. Every profile here links to the rescue that cares for the dog, and you apply with them: we don't rehome dogs ourselves.

In Wales, if you find a stray dog and can't contact the owner, you must report it to the council. In Swansea, call the council's dog wardens on 01792 635600 in office hours and a warden will collect the dog where they can. Out of hours you can take the dog to the council's acceptance point at the Security Office, Pipehouse Wharf, Morfa Road, or keep it until the next working day.

The council keeps stray dogs in kennels for seven days, after which they may be rehomed, and never in the area where they were found. An owner reclaiming a dog pays a release fee of £147 plus £23 for each day in kennels, so a chipped dog with a collar and tag goes home much faster.

Greyhound Rescue Wales asks a £300 adoption fee towards neutering, a microchip, vaccinations, and a collar, lead and muzzle. Many Tears Animal Rescue asks £425 for a puppy under 6 months, £350 for a puppy or adult dog over 6 months, and £160 for a dog over 9 or one with serious ongoing medical needs or who struggles to find a home; each dog's page shows its fee. The fee includes a microchip, first vaccinations, flea and worm treatment, neutering when old enough, and four weeks' free insurance.

West Wales Poundies Dog Rescue doesn't publish a fee, so ask it.

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.

Each rescue near Swansea works differently, so read its own page before you apply (Many Tears' adoption FAQs).

• Show arounds and a home check. Many Tears Animal Rescue runs daily show arounds with no booking needed: at noon on weekdays, and at 11am and 1pm at weekends. Arrive at least 10 minutes early, as late comers can't join, and there's a suggested donation of £3 a person aged 14 or over. Once your application is agreed, it arranges a home check. It may consider a home without a private garden case by case, but won't place a puppy where there are dogs that haven't been neutered.
• Form, phone call, then meet the dog. Greyhound Rescue Wales starts with an adoption request form and proof of address, then its rehoming team calls to talk through your home, then it invites you to its centre to meet the dog; bring your own dog and the children, which it prefers to be over pre-school age. It gives no guarantees for a home with cats or other small pets.
• By appointment only. West Wales Poundies Dog Rescue isn't open to the public for general viewing, so arrange a visit first.

Two rehoming centres east of Swansea aren't on LocalPetFinder. We don't list their dogs, so search their own sites (Dogs Trust Bridgend).

• Dogs Trust Bridgend, about 16 miles east, sees adopters by pre-arranged appointment only and keeps an application open for three months.
• Hope Rescue, a stray dog rescue with a centre at Llanharan, asks a minimum adoption fee of £275 a dog and £350 a puppy.

Looking for a particular kind of dog? The greyhound, lurcher, crossbreed and puppies pages each list the dogs near Swansea today, with Greyhound Rescue Wales rehoming greyhounds and lurchers from Garnant.

Need to rehome your own dog instead? Our Swansea rehoming page sets out the local routes, including Dogs Trust's Homestay.