Post Adoption Support - Dog Specialist

This is a remote position.

PetRehomer provides direct home to home adoptions throughout the UK. Most adoptions go smoothly but on occasions we do need to help our adopters with guidance and tactics to assist them with the settling in of their pets.

Role Overview

We are seeking a compassionate and experienced volunteer to provide remote post-adoption support to adopters on a case-by-case basis. This role plays a vital part in ensuring successful adoptions by helping new owners navigate the settling-in period with their adopted dog.

The volunteer will liaise directly with adopters who may be experiencing behavioural or adjustment challenges and provide practical advice, reassurance, guidance, and tailored support plans to help resolve issues and strengthen the bond between adopter and dog.

This is a flexible remote volunteer role requiring responsiveness, empathy, excellent communication skills, and sound behavioural knowledge.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide remote support to adopters via phone, email, video call, or messaging.
  
• Assess behavioural or settling-in concerns raised by adopters.
  
• Offer practical advice, behaviour guidance, enrichment ideas, management strategies, and step-by-step support plans.
  
• Help adopters understand normal adjustment behaviours and promote positive reinforcement methods.
  
• Respond sensitively and professionally to adopters who may be feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
  
• Liaise with the  PetRehomer Rehoming team regarding ongoing or complex cases where additional intervention may be needed.
  
• Maintain accurate and confidential notes regarding support provided.
  
• Escalate any serious behavioural concerns or welfare issues where appropriate.
  
• Support the organisation’s commitment to positive, force-free training and welfare-led practices.
  

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience working with dogs displaying a range of behavioural needs.
  
• A recognised qualification in dog behaviour, canine psychology, dog training, or a related field.
  
• Good understanding of canine body language, stress signals, and behaviour modification techniques.
  
• Commitment to positive reinforcement and reward-based methods only.
  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  
• Empathetic, patient, and non-judgemental approach.
  
• Ability to remain calm and supportive in emotionally charged situations.
  
• Reliable and organised with good record-keeping skills.
  
• Access to phone/internet for remote support work.
  
• Ability to provide support at relatively short notice when urgent adopter support is needed.
  

Desirable

• Previous rescue or post-adoption support experience.
  
• Membership of recognised professional organisations (e.g. IMDT, APBC, PACT, CAPBT, IAABC).
  
• Experience creating behaviour or settling-in plans.
  
• Knowledge of rehomed or rescue dog decompression and transition periods.
  

Time Commitment

• Flexible remote volunteering.
  
• Availability on an ad hoc basis depending on adopter needs.
  
• Ability to respond to urgent support requests within a reasonable timeframe is highly desirable.
  

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who is passionate about helping rehomed dogs and supporting adopters through the challenges that can sometimes arise after adoption. The ideal volunteer will combine behavioural knowledge with compassion, patience, and practical problem-solving skills to help ensure dogs remain safely and happily in their new homes.

Benefits of Volunteering

• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of rehomed dogs and their adopters.
  
• Help improve long-term adoption success rates.
  
• Become part of a supportive rehoming team.
  
• Flexible remote volunteering opportunity.