One place. Thousands of pets. Your perfect match.
Your search for the perfect pet stops here. We use smart matching to help find rescue cats and dogs best-suited to you, searching from thousands across the UK. It’s all about pinpointing the right pet, not just the nearest one, so that you can confidently commit for life.
How does Pet Matcher work?
Three minutes. A few honest questions. Rescue dogs and cats from every UK centre, matched to your life and delivered to your inbox.
1. Answer a few questions
These give Pet Matcher a clear picture of your lifestyle and pet preferences.
2. View your matched rescue pets
You’ll receive a personalised list of pets based on the answers you gave in step 1.
3. Connect with the rescuer
Pet Matcher will manage all the communications safely and securely for you.
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Why Pet Matcher?
A good match matters more than a fast one.
Our approach is all about honest and responsible pet matching. That means making sure the pet we recommend is suitable for your home, lifestyle and preferences to support a long and happy life together. To us, that’s far more important than a service that’s free and fast, although we’re all of those things, too.
Frequently asked questions
We’ve answered the most common questions pet owners ask.
Consider whether your actual lifestyle can accommodate a pet’s needs, including time, finances, space and long-term care. Dogs generally need regular walks, company and a consistent routine, while cats still require daily attention, stimulation and care. If you rent, check your tenancy agreement and make sure everyone in your household agrees before applying.
Adoption fees typically range from £50 to £500 and usually contribute towards health checks, vaccinations, microchipping, neutering and the care the pet has already received. You should also budget approximately £800 to £1,500 per year for a cat or £1,000 to £2,500 per year for a dog, depending on their size, health and needs.
A useful guideline is three days to decompress, three weeks to become familiar with your routine and around three months to feel fully at home. Hiding, nervousness, testing boundaries or occasional accidents can all be normal at first. A calm, predictable routine and plenty of patience will help your new pet adjust.
Rescues ask about your home, household, schedule and experience to find a match that will work long-term. They are not trying to catch you out or find a “perfect” adopter. Honest answers help them recommend a pet whose temperament and needs genuinely suit your circumstances.
Puppies and kittens require considerable time for training, socialisation and supervision. Adult rescue pets often arrive house-trained and with a more established personality, making it easier to understand whether they will suit your lifestyle. For many adopters, an adult pet can be the more predictable and manageable choice.
Choosing the right pet for you
Read the guide
About Pet Matcher
Pet Matcher brings adoptable dogs and cats from rescues across the UK into one place, so you don’t have to check a dozen different websites to find the right pet.
Tell us what you’re looking for, dog or cat, plus any preferences on breed, size, age or gender. Every pet you see gets a match score, so you know at a glance who is worth a closer look and exactly what works for your home. Most people find their match within the first week. When you are ready to apply, you fill in one application covering your home, lifestyle and vet plans, just once. It is reused for every rescue you apply to afterwards, so you are never filling in the same form twice.
