Basic Criteria for Reputable Organisations
Legal Seat and Accessibility
A reputable organisation has a seat in Germany, Austria or Switzerland, is registered in the association register (ideally as a non-profit) and has a transparent imprint with a full address and telephone number. Check the address on Google Maps; does it actually exist? Call to test if someone is reachable. You should avoid organisations that communicate exclusively via messenger.
Transparency Regarding Origin and Behaviour of Dogs
Reputable organisations report where the dog comes from (street, animal shelter, confiscation), how long it has been in foster care and what behavioural problems it shows. They do not sugarcoat things to place them faster. Statements such as “This dog is afraid of men” or “resource aggression regarding food” are signs of honesty.
Organisations that describe all dogs generally as “loving and suitable for beginners” are operating unprofessionally or do not know their animals.
Medical Standards
A reputable international animal welfare organisation carries out blood tests for Mediterranean diseases (leishmaniasis, ehrlichiosis, dirofilariasis), vaccinates and sterilises before placement. The dog arrives with an EU pet passport and proof of sterilisation. The organisation shows you the test results or clearly states which tests were not carried out and why.
Unreliable providers skip tests on the grounds that the dog “looks fit”. Leishmaniasis is not visible externally.
Socialisation and Behavioural Tests
Reputable organisations socialise dogs in foster homes (not permanently in kennels) and carry out behavioural tests: compatibility with children, other dogs, cats; reaction to everyday stimuli. The organisation matches the dog to the family, not vice versa.
There is no statistics on returns against which a figure could be checked, so a percentage is therefore not a suitable criterion. Something else is more meaningful: Does the organisation address returns proactively? Does the protection contract state that they will take the dog back at any time? Whoever evades questions about returns says more than any quota.
Contracts and Right of Return
A reputable protection contract regulates: the amount of the placement fee, included services (tests, vaccination, sterilisation, transport), right of return, duration of aftercare. Vague or missing contracts are warning signs.
Right of return means: if the dog does not fit with the family, the organisation takes it back; you do not have to find a solution.
Blacklists and Advisory Centres
Known Problematic Organisations
Advisory centres such as the German Animal Welfare Federation or Four Paws maintain lists of trustworthy partners. Before adopting, check whether the organisation is listed there or if experience reports indicate fraud, inadequate medical care or animal suffering.
NGO or Informal Group
A registered NGO has structures, oversight and accountability. Informal groups (Facebook initiatives, private networks) can do good work but offer less legal security. With NGOs you have more leverage in case of conflict.
Questions Before Adoption
- Where exactly does the dog come from? (Location, duration of accommodation)
- Which tests were carried out? (Leishmaniasis, heartworms, ehrlichiosis)
- How long was the dog in foster care?
- What behavioural peculiarities does it show?
- Does the dog fit with my household? (Children, other animals, living situation)
- How is the placement fee composed?
- Is there a right of return? How long does it apply?
- How does aftercare work? (Duration, costs)
- Who is the attending vet? (Contact details for reference)
- Can you provide references from previous adopters?
Questions After Adoption
- Who bears the costs if the dog falls ill in the first few weeks?
- Can I return the dog if it doesn’t fit?
- Who advises me on behavioural problems?
Red flags, avoid these organisations
- Messenger contact only: No telephone number or address
- No test results: Justification “too expensive” or missing documentation
- Intransparent fees: Over 800 euros without breakdown
- Sales pressure: “Discount only today”, “another interested party is waiting”
- No right of return: Clear refusal
- No aftercare: “No longer our responsibility after handover”
- Poor references: Multiple reports of fraud, sick or aggressive dogs
- Neglected foster homes: Dirt, overcrowded rooms, neglected animals
- No written contracts: Everything only verbal
Personal visit as the best control
If possible, visit the foster home before adoption, in person or via video call. Look at where the dog lives, how it reacts to you, and how other animals are housed there. Some organisations offer trial weekends or meetings at neutral locations. Organisations that refuse a visit are not trustworthy.
Checklist: Is the organisation reputable?
- Official headquarters in D/AT/CH?
- Reachable by telephone?
- Registered in the association register?
- Shows medical test results?
- Reports honestly about behavioural abnormalities?
- Conducts behavioural tests before placement?
- Cooperates with vet?
- Offers right of return?
- Transparent fee structure?
- Free aftercare?
- Can name references?
- No entries on blacklists?
Three points on this list are not just points, but conditions: a written protection contract with an obligation to take the animal back, a reachable contact person with an imprint, and proof of official permission for paid placement. If any of these is missing, the question is decided, regardless of how good the rest looks. The remaining points are indicators: The more of them apply, the more solidly the organisation works.