How our adoption/ fostering process works at Westie Lifeline Rescue UK

Feb ' 25

We were contacted by another rescue to see if we could help with a group of westies needing to come into rescue due to a change in home circumstances. Abby, 7, is at WLRUK HQ currently being assessed. 

Abby is settling well into foster and is a lovely natured girl. Once she gets over her nervousness she is interested in everyone and everything. She is a real lap dog and loves attention and cuddles. She is fine with other dogs so could be rehomed with another dog, or would be just as happy as the only dog. She will be 8 in April.

Feb ' 25

We were contacted by another rescue to see if we could help with a group of westies needing to come into rescue due to a change in home circumstances. Milo, 10, has joined a family in Nottingham to be fostered and assessed. He is doing very well in foster. His sore and discoloured skin is now clearing up well. He loves walks and walks well on a lead. He socialises well for the most part with other dogs but can be nervous of some. He is quite a character. He will be 11 in May.

Feb ' 25

We were contacted by another rescue to see if we could help with a group of westies needing to come into rescue due to a change in home circumstances.  Amber, 4, has joined a foster family, already with other dogs, and she is settling in well. She is receiving a lot of love and cuddles.

Jan '25: Rosie has just joined us. We don't know a lot about her background other than she is 18 months old. She was subdued and quite smelly however is now safe at WLRUK HQ. We'll update and let you know how she gets on, however looking for some foster options for her if anyone is interested.

UPDATE: well things move fast! Rosie (which wasn't her initial name) has now been renamed to Ivy. Due to our experience of dealing with Westie Rescues, it was felt that the right place for Ivy to go was to join an already established group of Westies. In under 1 week, Ivy went from a timid, sweet little dog who was scared to go outside with other dogs to bounding around the garden with her new family of brothers and sisters, playfully interacting - what a change and delight to see. How fantastic - enjoy your new home Ivy! 

Shortly Skye will be joining us. She is an 11 year old girl (not spayed) with up to date vaccinations. There are some medical issues being assessed currently which can be discussed, however keen to get her settled in and support her. She is ok with other dogs. Please make enquiries if you are interested in adopting Skye.

Update: She's arrived! Although Skye was known to be ok with other dogs, she is currently very timid and stressed, so a dog free foster has been found for her whilst she undergoes medical assessments to get a clearer picture on her health. Welcome Skye x

Update: Having now spent more time with her as she is with her foster home in Kent, we can see that Skye is a very sweet dog, however she needs to be in an only dog household. She enjoys her walks. There are some health issues that are being addressed currently: she will be spayed at the end of December, she has cataracts in both her eyes and sadly she has what we think is the start of westie lung, however currently that is not affecting her. However with the right care and love, Skye has the opportunity to bring great love into her future home. Skye would be available for adoption in January and anyone wanting to find out more about her, please don't hesitate to get in touch for a chat or fill in an adoption form.

UPDATE: Another failed foster! Congrats Skye on your new home!

Bobby is 14 and has just come into foster after a change in the owner's circumstances. He is being assessed for behaviour and medical needs currently as is always the case when we first take in new dogs, however if you might be interested in adopting Bobby please make enquiries.

UPDATE:   

Bobby “Bear” (so nicknamed because he has a fabulous thick silky coat everyone wants to snuggle him up and he looks like a little polar bear), is an adorable little boy with a really lovely temperament. 

Sadly due to an untreated ear infection Bobby is now deaf but it does not spoil his enjoyment of life. Although he is 13 years old he is still lively and alert and very curious about things.  He is a quick learner and loves to be involved in everything that’s going on, both inside and out.

He is a real character and likes to help with all the household chores whether it is helping clean the garage, finding something at the back of the cupboard (you never know where you may find an old biscuit) or sitting on your feet to keep them warm while you are washing up.

Bobby loves his walks and gets very excited when he sees his coat and lead.  On vet’s instructions he is limited to short, regular walks as he also has arthritis and a partial tear in one of his cruciate ligaments neither of which seem to hold him back or make him grumpy. 

He is always enthusiastic about making new friends and is a very sociable little man with the usual Westie traits, always pleased to see visitors, loves to snuggle on the sofa and watch tv (animal programmes & movies with Harrison Ford are his favourite).

Bobby Bear has a VERY big heart and lots of love to give. His ideal companion would have a degree in tummy tickling (or a willingness to learn), love short (10min), regular(3-4 per day) walks in the park, meeting other doggie friends and their humans and enjoy snuggling up on the sofa.

I cannot stress what an adorable little boy Bobby Bear is. He is currently in foster in Lytham St Annes. Please read the below relating to his health.

BOBBY’S HEALTH 

Bobby’s untreated, (in the vet’s opinion over several years), ear infection has left him deaf and with considerable scarring in his ears but this does not seem to bother him.

The vet has treated his ears but advises that Bobby will need ongoing treatment as they are permanently damaged. He is currently on 1 x Medrone V 4mg table every other day.

Bobby was very overweight when he came into Rescue. We have changed his diet and he is now losing weight steadily which has greatly helped his arthritis. When he came into Rescue, he weighed almost 16kilos. An accurate weight could not be established as he would not stand on 4 legs and could not walk properly. As a result of a change of diet he is now down to just over 14kilos. He still has quite a way to go but is a very different dog following the treatment for his ears and weight reduction

He is stiff in the morning, but gets more flexible when he starts to move around which is why regular walks are important. He still walks with a strange gait but he bounces around in the house and in the park and is now walking on all four legs and enjoying the exercise. We even had a “Westie zoom” in the house yesterday.

The vet advises that he would not consider operating on the cruciate ligament because of his age. It is the vet’s opinion, however, that with ongoing care Bobby’s health will be greatly improved and he can lead a happy and pain free life. 

UPDATE: Great news - after a successful meet and greet, Bobby has picked his new family - we are so delighted for you Bobby!

Ozzy is 5 years old and came into rescue due to a change in circumstances for his owners. He is settling well into his foster family - he is well trained and obeys simple commands. He travels well in the car and likes his walks and LOVES his food, but burns off all his energy by running round the garden! When chilling, Ozzy is gentle and loves having his belly rubbed and snuggling in. He is a loving, trusting dog who is looking for his furever home. Welcome Ozzy!

On his way to WLRUK, Brodie's owner sadly passed away and is looking for a new home. He needs a dog free foster home.

Update: New photo (what a cutie!) - A foster home has been identified for Brodie so fingers crossed that all works out well. He is up in North Yorkshire, so any potential adopters would need to travel there to meet him.

August '24: Charlie has joined WLRUK after sadly her elderly owners passed away. Unfortunately the care for Charlie (12 years old) deteriorated in the last few years and she became poorly and depressed. She has a large tumour on her paw, and as a result of this will need to have at least one toe amputated and a sample sent off for tests.  She also will have some tests on her lymph glands as her nodes are inflamed. We hope that this is down to skin problems and recent stress as opposed to anything else more serious. Fingers cross for Charlie but she is in the best place for love and care. She is the sweetest little lady and enjoys company, be it human or dog form! She loves a cuddle and being outside trotting around the garden. Clearly more assessments need to be done but if you are interested in fostering or adopting Charlie please get in touch and we will update once we have test results back.

UPDATE: Charlie continues to have the sweetest nature and has fitted in well with all her friends at WLRHQ. On 13th August she underwent surgery and had a toe amputated. Samples of the tumour, along with lymph glands and bone were sent to the Pathologist for analysis. So far we have had two of the results back. The lymph gland samples were clear but the skin samples from the tumour showed cancer. The surgeon was confident that he had got it all. We are now just waiting on the bone sample results. Charlie is recovering well, going back to the vets every other day for the wound to be checked and redressed. Her stitches should hopefully come out on tuesday 27th August.

UPDATE: september - the bone samples came back ok! 

UPDATE: September - great news, Charlie Girl has been adopted. She went to stay with a couple whilst WLRUK HQ took a well deserved break and surprise, surprise, she melted the hearts of the couple. Charlie still has some medical issues to sort, but now can do that with her newly adopted family - great news!

July '24: Meet Marley who is a Westie x Bichon who is looking for a dog free home for fostering. Marley was due to be PTS due to his owners not being able to keep him and concerns about him nipping. Despite not being able to find a dog-free foster home, Janie couldn't let Marley go that way so has brought him back to WLRUK HQ, despite having a house full herself(!) so we are really keen to find somewhere for Marley to settle and be assessed as currently he is a bit anxious and confused understandably. Please contact Janie directly if you think you can help or support.

Update: He is such an affectionate lad who loves his walks and is extremely well behaved on them. As yet we haven’t seen any nipping. He is very obedient. He needs a dog free foster, or at the most one other dog, so long as he’s introduced correctly to him/her.

August Update: Marley just gets better and better with his personality. He's an extremely bright dog and a lot of fun. He has proven that he can be good with other dogs as he has settled well with all ours here at HQ. On Bank holiday Monday he will go to his new foster in Manchester. He's a super dog and will make a great addition to someone's family once he settles and trusts.

September Update: Unfortunately the foster relationship didn't work out which is a shame for both Marley and the foster family, but highlights why it is important to make sure that the match is right for everyone. So Marley is back with WLRUK and we are looking for a dog free foster home for him. Please get in touch if you think you are able to help.

Jan'25: Great news - Marley was such a hit at WLRUK HQ that he has now become a permanent resident! What a result!

June '24: Nancy is an ex breeding girl who we believe to be about 5 or 6 years old. She is very sweet. Her first night at WLRUK went well with her eating well and resting and she is on a way to a foster home with another westie who we hope will build her confidence and show her the ropes. Welcome Nancy! 

Update: Nancy (now renamed Molly) has been adopted after another successful foster). So pleased for her!

May '24: Brodi is 3 years old, castrated and much loved, however unfortunately his owner is unable to walk him and meet his needs. We believe that we have a new home identified, for him, but as always, if you are interested in adopting a Westie now or in the future, please register your interest as we aim to match the dog to the adopters. Thank you

Update: Delighted that Brodi has now been adopted and loving (& being loved by) his new family. He has a new favourite place on the sofa in charge of cat watching! Well done Brodi!

May '24: Meet Lucy who we believe to be 10 years young. Not a lot is known about her background, however we are delighted she is in foster with WLRUK. She is possibly an ex-breeding dog and her health currently needs attention as she has an ear infection, a urine infection and a lump on her tummy area (hopefully benign). Already she is thriving in foster care and enjoying walks to the beach and lots of food! She loves other dogs and is a very good girl!

April '24: Sali is 6 years old and an ex breeding girl. She has settled down well and coming out of her shell quickly - enjoying the love (& Food!) that she is getting. Pending a vet assessment and also seeing how well socialised she is with other dogs and children.

April '24: Bobby is 10 months old and has come into rescue under sad circumstances having been a much loved puppy. He is currently in foster. He loves other dogs and has a loving friendly nature. He travelled well in the car to his foster home. He already knows his manners and is happy to give you his paw when asked. He walks well on the lead and ideally it would be good to have another slightly older but playful dog to live with. Whilst there is a chance he may stay with his foster family, we are still inviting people to register their interest if they feel that a dog like Bobby would suit your circumstances.

March'24: Meet Tinkerbell (Tinks) who has just joined WLRUK HQ. She is 7 years young and fitting in well with the resident crew at WLRUK. She has some medical conditions that meant that her previous owners weren't able to cope and give her the time and attention that she needed. Next week she will get checked out at the vets and there is a foster family lined up for Tinks which is great.

April'24: UPDATE Tinks is now in her foster family seeing how she settles in - 1st impressions are good! All the best Tinks x

February '24: Another Archie into the rescue whose owner had a change in circumstances which sadly meant he could not be kept. Archie is 4 years young and is castrated. He has joined an experienced foster family who are assessing him and then will be looking for a furever home.

March '24: UPDATE - Archie shows aggression towards other dogs - this may be behavioural and/or also linked to a badly infected ear that was found when he went to the vets for a recent visit which must be causing him pain. Either way, progress is being made but after further assessment when Archie is ready to be rehomed, it will need to be in a house where he is the only dog. 

March'24: UPDATE Now that Archie has settled into foster he is showing signs that he hasn't be socialised properly and will need an experience home where the adopters can work with him on this. He is a loving dog when indoors but when out on walks, he gets fixated and barks incessantly when he comes across other people or dogs. If you are interested in adopting Archie and feel you can work with his needs and would like more information please contact Janie on 07751 025868.