Overview
The public policy says these arrangements help APES ensure every animal finds the best possible home where it can live a happy, healthy life.
Key public points
- Most animals in APES care have been rescued by animal control officers, and strays are transferred by the relevant local authority.
- Stray animals are kept for at least seven days to allow owners a fair chance to reclaim them.
- APES states that it will not import animals from other countries for re-homing in England and Wales.
- Before adoption, every animal undergoes a clinical examination by a qualified member of the animal care team.
- Animals can only be re-homed when proof is provided that the adopter is over 18 years old.
- The policy says APES takes reasonable steps to make sure animals are not re-homed without confidence that they can enjoy a good quality of life.
- Home visits by trained volunteers are described as part of checking that adopters understand the responsibilities of ownership.
What this means in practice
The rebuilt route keeps the priority points visible: a seven-day stray hold, no import-based rehoming for England and Wales, over-18 adopters, home checks where appropriate and welfare/legal safeguards before any placement proceeds.