We can’t rescue our beloved dachshunds without 5-star forever homes in the UK to bring them to.
If you are interested in adopting with DMT DRSG, read on to learn more about the homes we are looking for, what to expect when adopting a rescue for Asia, the adoption process and the support we offer post-adoption.
The health and wellbeing of our dogs is our top priority and so all our dachshunds are neutered, wormed, defleaed and fully vaccinated prior to travel. We also run comprehensive blood tests for any underlying illnesses or diseases including brucellosis. All adopters must pay a £600 adoption fee 2 weeks prior to the dog’s arrival and agree to our adoption terms and conditions which are issued upon a successful home check and interview.
Adoption Criteria
Our dogs have been rescued from the most horrific circumstances, and we have a huge responsibility to ensure they are placed in only the best homes. As such, we have strict criteria for all adoption applicants, and this is vetted throughout the application process.
Every dog has different needs, but our standard adoption criteria is as follows:
- The dog must not be left alone for long periods of time- our dogs need time and patience to learn to love and trust again, and so you will need to spend lots of time with them.
- No children under 7 years old in the home- our dogs have likely never been around children and this rule keeps everyone safe.
- You must have a secure private garden with direct access from your home to allow the dog space to decompress.
- Our dogs need a lot of love, TLC and patience. Many of our dogs have never lived in a home environment and we need adopters who will not give up on them even if they don’t behave like your other dog!
- The majority of our dogs can live with other dogs, the listing will always state if this is not the case
- Some of our dogs can live with cats, this will always be mentioned in the adoption listing.
- Adopters must live in UK
What to Expect When Adopting
Adopting a rescue dog from China or Korea is very different from bringing a puppy into your home and even very different from rescuing a UK based dog. Everything must be done slowly and it’s important to not expect too much too soon. Your dog’s behaviour and temperament may look very different from the videos and photos you have seen of them Asia, as your home is completely new to them- plus they will be tired and jet lagged.
First 3 Days: Overwhelmed and Cautious
We talk about the 3-3-3 rule often at DMT DRSG, here’s why it’s important:
- When the dog first arrives, they’re likely to feel overwhelmed. This is an entirely new environment with unfamiliar people, smells, and routines. Common behaviours during this phase include:
- Hiding or avoiding interaction
- Excessive sleeping
- Lack of appetite or digestive upset
- General stress or nervousness
It’s crucial during these initial days to provide a calm, quiet space where your dog can decompress. Avoid overwhelming them with visitors or excessive activity. Let them come to you on their own terms.
First 3 Weeks: Settling In
After about three weeks, your dog will start to feel more comfortable. They’ll begin to understand the daily routine and may start showing their true personality. This is also when behavioural quirks or issues might emerge as they test boundaries and adjust to your expectations. Gentle guidance and reassurance will go a long way. During this phase, focus on:
- Establishing consistent routines for feeding, walks, and playtime
- Starting basic training and setting clear rules
- Building trust through positive reinforcement
- Patience is key, as some dogs may still feel anxious or insecure.
First 3 Months: Feeling at Home
By the three-month mark, most dogs will feel fully settled in their new home. They’ll understand the household’s rhythm and begin to form a strong bond with you.
At this stage, you’ll likely notice:
- Increased confidence and comfort
- More consistent behaviour
- Stronger sense of trust and attachment
While the dog may seem well-adjusted, this doesn’t mean the journey is complete. Training, enrichment, and ongoing love will ensure your dog thrives in the long term. It is important to remember that every dog is different and this is just a guide.
The Adoption Process
1
Rescue & Preparation
We are currently supporting a number of rescued dachshunds in China and South Korea. All of them will need homes in the UK when they are ready to travel. Some are closer to travelling than others. When first rescued the dogs need veterinary treatment, spaying/neutering and vaccinations, as well as inoculation against rabies before this is possible. These dogs will be marked on the website as “Applications Opening Soon”.
2
Adoption Notice
When a dog is close to travelling, an adoption notice will be shared on our social media pages and on this website a dog’s profile will be marked as ‘Accepting Applications’. Adoption notices, list details of the dog, their approximate age & temperament according to the vets and staff in the boarding facilities. If you feel that your home would suit the dog advertised, then you can complete an online application form.
3
Applications Considered
Applications will usually be opened for around 5 days, once applications close, the dog’s status on our website will be marked as ‘Processing Applications’. Applications are considered by a panel of team members. We look for special people with a love of and experience of dachshunds. People who will not give up on these dogs that will often have some behavioural or medical problems and will not be house trained. People prepared to put in the time and work to provide these dogs with their ‘happy ever afters.’
4
Virtual Home Checks
Virtual home checks and an interview will be carried out on shortlisted applicants. Once complete our panel of team members will make a decision on which applicant will be able to offer the best home for the dog.
All applicants will be informed if unsuccessful. Please note that our team are all volunteers, and sometimes you may not hear the outcome for up to 14 days after applications close.
5
Travel to the UK
When they are ready to travel the dogs will fly from Korea and China into Heathrow Airport. Successful adopters will need to collect the dogs from one of our 3 pick up locations. This will be northbound at services; South Mimms, Cobham or Trowell. We require the adopter to take out pet insurance & purchase a GPS tracker.
Whilst you are waiting for your dog to travel to the UK please note that we share as many updates on all of our dogs as we can. Not all of the facilities in Asia can provide daily photos or videos and even though you may want an update on your favourite dog, we can only share what we can.
6
After Care
Our dogs are survivors and have often endured traumatic experiences and will need time to adjust to their new lives in the UK. Some may have behavioural or medical challenges, and most will not be house-trained when they arrive. Our dedicated team of post adoption volunteers will be there to guide and support you every step of the way.
How to Apply
We take applications for each dog individually when it is almost their time to fly. You can view our dogs still in Asia here. Please only apply when we are inviting applications for the dog you are interested in, applications submitted outside of this time period will not be considered. When we are inviting applications for a dog their listing will be marked as ‘Accepting Applications’ and their listing will include a link to their specific application form. Some dogs need medical care and specialist support before they will be fit to travel from Asia. These dogs will be marked as ‘Applications Opening Soon’, soon keep an eye out on the website or social media for when we open their listing for applications.
Post Adoption Support
We pride ourselves on the lifelong support we provide to our adopters. Someone from our team of post adoption caseworkers will contact you shortly before your dog arrives to introduce themself and let you know what to expect when your dog arrives. We are then on the other end of the phone for the dog’s lifetime. We will be there for the big problems, the small problems or just to receive cute photos of your dog! Don’t be shy, we love to hear (and see) how our dachshunds are getting on.
Our post adoption support also includes financial support for pre-existing health conditions and access to dog behaviourists for any serious behaviour issues.
You are never alone on this journey! But we do ask for your cooperation when adopting one of our dogs, we will provide guidance and tips for the best outcomes, and we ask that you follow our advice.
Together we can create the best possible future for our rescued dachshunds.