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Adopt Rupert

Labrador Retriever · Male · Adult · 8 years

Rupert is a large golden labrador aged around eight years old. Rupert has come into our care recently from the Botosani public shelter in Romania. He had been in there for some time along with his three adult sons who are still there. Rupert is a determined old goat who has probably led a pretty transient life prior to the shelter, used to going as and where he pleases. He found lead training rather a trial and has only now (mostly) accepted that he has to go where the humans direct now. However he is only going on short walks currently because when he decides he is tired and it’s time to lie down there’s not an awful lot that can be done to persuade him otherwise . On arrival in his UK foster home he spent the first half day just testing all boundaries to see if there was a way out, when placed in new situations this is a habit that he repeats. Only when he has proven to himself that he is not super dog and cannot jump five foot fences with his aging bones will he give a big sigh and settle into a pattern of pretty much snoozing most of the day. He is content with his lot but has to just see first if there’s better on the other side of that fence. It’s not a process that lasts long but seems to be a ritual that can be expected when he’s moved. Rupert is living happily with other dogs but is quite oblivious to them. He’d be just as happy as the only dog and has been cohabiting happily with the cat and even shares his treats with him. Despite giving the appearance of a soppy, docile old lab Rupert is not currently approaching for fuss or appreciative of it, although he will allow it and seems neither distressed or scared by it. I guess if he’s lived this far in his life without the love and kindness of humans the concept of a cuddle is still an enigma to him. He certainly won’t be lying devotedly by your feet or bringing you your slippers anytime soon, but in time and with enough treat bribery who knows?!? Rupert would like an adult family environment without too much activity for his retirement years. Rupert fostered Norwich Norfolk. If you are interested please message or call between 9am to 5pm Mon – Fri or 9am to 4pm Sat. . Adoption Donation Fees From 1st Dec 2025 are Puppies already neutered and all adult dogs: £430. Un-neutered puppies on spay/neuter contracts: £530 (You will receive a £100 rebate once you send us proof of neutering). Senior dogs (10+ years): £150–£250 (depending on age and individual needs). Adoption Policy When you adopt a Safe Rescue dog, you MUST use a slip lead. This will keep your dog safe: your new dog will be nervous and will not trust you, and you will not know which situations might upset your dog. If your dog panics, then a slip lead is the only way to prevent your dog from escaping (many dogs can escape from a collar and/or harness). It will take AT LEAST 3-6 months for your dog to settle-in and for you to know your dog fully (longer for nervous dogs). The slip lead must ALWAYS be used during this settling-in period. Even after your dog is settled, it is safest to use the slip lead in situations where your dog may become scared (e.g. visiting new places, around unfamiliar people, at the vet), and it situations where unexpected triggers might happen (e.g. around bonfire night). Nervous dogs may always need to wear a slip-lead as a back-up safety measure. The slip lead is a safety device and must NEVER be used as a training tool. Using the lead to apply pressure to the dog’s neck is damaging. If your dog pulls on the lead, then we can advise you on training methods that avoid harm. Once your dog is settled, you may want to consider using a harness (together with the slip lead) if your dog is comfortable with being handled when it is fitted. Most harnesses are not escape-proof, but harnesses with a strap behind the ribcage (e.g. Ruffwear Webmaster or Perfect Fit Harnesses) are safer. Retractable / extendable leads must never be used on our dogs. Adopted dogs must be collected from the rescue and transported straight home in a crate. Fences and gates must be 5ft min & secure. All dogs are vaccinated, microchipped and neutered (unless the dog is too young to be neutered). Rupert is a large golden labrador aged around eight years old. Rupert has come into our care recently from the Botosani public shelter in Romania. He had been in there for some time along with his three adult sons who are still there. Rupert is a determined old goat who has probably led a pretty transient life prior to the shelter, used to going as and where he pleases. He found lead training rather a trial and has only now (mostly) accepted that he has to go where the humans direct now. However he is only going on short walks currently because when he decides he is tired and it’s time to lie down there’s not an awful lot that can be done to persuade him otherwise . On arrival in his UK foster home he spent the first half day just testing all boundaries to see if there was a way out, when placed in new situations this is a habit that he repeats. Only when he has proven to himself that he is not super dog and cannot jump five foot fences with his aging bones will he give a big sigh and settle into a pattern of pretty much snoozing most of the day. He is content with his lot but has to just see first if there’s better on the other side of that fence. It’s not a process that lasts long but seems to be a ritual that can be expected when he’s moved. Rupert is living happily with other dogs but is quite oblivious to them. He’d be just as happy as the only dog and has been cohabiting happily with the cat and even shares his treats with him. Despite giving the appearance of a soppy, docile old lab Rupert is not currently approaching for fuss or appreciative of it, although he will allow it and seems neither distressed or scared by it. I guess if he’s lived this far in his life without the love and kindness of humans the concept of a cuddle is still an enigma to him. He certainly won’t be lying devotedly by your feet or bringing you your slippers anytime soon, but in time and with enough treat bribery who knows?!? Rupert would like an adult family environment without too much activity for his retirement years. Rupert fostered Norwich Norfolk. If you are interested please message or call between 9am to 5pm Mon – Fri or 9am to 4pm Sat. . Adoption Donation Fees From 1st Dec 2025 are Puppies already neutered and all adult dogs: £430. Un-neutered puppies on spay/neuter contracts: £530 (You will receive a £100 rebate once you send us proof of neutering). Senior dogs (10+ years): £150–£250 (depending on age and individual needs). When you adopt a Safe Rescue dog, you MUST use a slip lead. This will keep your dog safe: your new dog will be nervous and will not trust you, and you will not know which situations might upset your dog. If your dog panics, then a slip lead is the only way to prevent your dog from escaping (many dogs can escape from a collar and/or harness). It will take AT LEAST 3-6 months for your dog to settle-in and for you to know your dog fully (longer for nervous dogs). The slip lead must ALWAYS be used during this settling-in period. Even after your dog is settled, it is safest to use the slip lead in situations where your dog may become scared (e.g. visiting new places, around unfamiliar people, at the vet), and it situations where unexpected triggers might happen (e.g. around bonfire night). Nervous dogs may always need to wear a slip-lead as a back-up safety measure. The slip lead is a safety device and must NEVER be used as a training tool. Using the lead to apply pressure to the dog’s neck is damaging. If your dog pulls on the lead, then we can advise you on training methods that avoid harm. Once your dog is settled, you may want to consider using a harness (together with the slip lead) if your dog is comfortable with being handled when it is fitted. Most harnesses are not escape-p

Size
Large
Age
Adult · 8 years
Location
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Shelter
Safe Rescue for Dogs
Living with Rupert
  • Vaccinated
  • Neutered
  • Microchipped
  • Good with dogs
  • Good with kids
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Cared for by Safe Rescue for Dogs · United KingdomLearn about Labrador Retriever

Listed 2 weeks ago

Bringing Rupert home

What you'll need for Rupert in week one.

Hand-picked · prices indicative

  1. 01
    Required by most shelters

    Trixie Transport Box

    Sturdy plastic carrier — what most shelters require for pickup.

    View on Amazon
    €35–45
  2. 02
    Editor's pick

    Folding Wire Crate

    First-week safe space. Shelter dogs settle faster with a crate.

    View on Amazon
    €50–80
  3. 03
    Legal · EU

    Car Seatbelt Tether

    Legally required in most EU countries for transporting dogs.

    View on Amazon
    €8–12
  4. 04

    Adaptil Calming Spray

    Dog-specific pheromone diffuser. Worth it for the trip home.

    View on Amazon
    €18–25
  5. 05

    Orthopaedic Dog Bed

    Worth the upgrade — rescues often have joint issues from kennels.

    View on Amazon
    €30–60
  6. 06
    Safer than a collar

    Padded Y-Front Harness

    Escape-proof for spooky rescues. Safer than a collar in week one.

    View on Amazon
    €20–35

§ Affiliate links · TailHarbor earns a small commission, no extra cost to you.

About Rupert

What life with Rupert looks like

Rupert is a large adult labrador retriever dog waiting at Safe Rescue for Dogs in United Kingdom.

An adult dog fits most household rhythms once the first couple of weeks of adjustment pass. A larger dog like this one needs daily off-leash time when possible — a fenced yard or regular access to safe walking trails. Plan a "decompression fortnight" — quiet routine, no visitors, no off-leash adventures — to let them settle.

🇬🇧Adopting from United Kingdom

UK shelters work under the Pet Travel Scheme (post-Brexit, the EU pet passport is not valid; a UK Animal Health Certificate is required for travel into the EU). Most UK rescues focus on domestic placements but some work with EU partners.

United Kingdom, United Kingdom browse more dogs in United Kingdom.

Frequently asked

Adopting Rupert, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Rupert?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Safe Rescue for Dogs handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Rupert on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Rupert if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Safe Rescue for Dogs will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. UK adopters: post-Brexit travel into the EU requires an Animal Health Certificate. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Rupert already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?
Most dogs on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.
What happens if Rupert isn't the right fit?
Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with Safe Rescue for Dogs early rather than rehoming privately; they know Rupert and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.
Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?
TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (EN). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.
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