Guided pathway assessment
Not Sure Where to Start?
Use this short guide when a client’s situation involves several issues or it is not immediately clear which HomeWagger support pathway is most appropriate.
Begin with any immediate safety or welfare concerns. Then choose the issue having the greatest current effect on the client’s ability to care for their dog.
First check
Is anyone currently at immediate risk?
Follow emergency, safeguarding, veterinary or statutory procedures before using a standard HomeWagger referral where:
- the client requires emergency medical assistance;
- the dog requires urgent veterinary treatment;
- there is an immediate safeguarding concern;
- the dog has no safe care, food, water or shelter;
- there is an immediate risk of abandonment;
- a person or animal is in immediate danger.
Guided assessment
What is creating the greatest difficulty?
Select the statement that most closely describes the client’s current situation.
Housing is affecting the dog
The client is facing homelessness, eviction, tenancy difficulties, unsuitable accommodation or a move that may affect their dog.
Open Housing pathwayMental health is affecting care
Anxiety, distress, crisis, reduced functioning or another mental-health difficulty is affecting the client’s ability to manage their dog’s needs.
Open Mental Health pathwayHospital or healthcare is affecting care
The client is being admitted to hospital, receiving treatment, preparing for discharge or managing serious healthcare needs.
Open Healthcare pathwayOlder age or disability is affecting care
Mobility, accessibility, sensory needs, frailty or a long-term condition is making one or more dog-care tasks difficult.
Open Older Age & Disability pathwayThe dog needs veterinary care
The dog is unwell, injured, receiving treatment or needs support with appointments, medication, transport or aftercare.
Open Veterinary Care pathwayFinancial pressure is affecting care
The client is struggling with dog food, veterinary costs, supplies, transport or other essential dog-related expenses.
Open Financial Hardship pathwayDog behaviour is creating pressure
Barking, fear, reactivity, separation distress, guarding, destructive behaviour or handling difficulties are affecting safety or the ability to cope.
Open Behaviour & Training pathwayThe client needs temporary dog care
The client expects to resume caring for their dog but needs safe, time-limited support during a crisis, treatment, housing problem or temporary absence.
Open Temporary Care pathwayDomestic abuse or safety is affecting the dog
The dog is creating a barrier to leaving, may be at risk, is being used as a means of control or needs confidential safety planning.
Open Domestic Abuse pathwayThe client may be unable to continue long-term
Appropriate support has been explored, but the client may no longer be able to provide a safe and sustainable home for the dog.
Open Responsible Rehoming pathwayMore than one issue
Which pathway should come first?
Clients often experience several connected difficulties. Begin with the issue creating the greatest immediate impact on the client’s ability to care for their dog.
Immediate safety
Address emergency, safeguarding, veterinary and immediate welfare concerns first.
Current care barrier
Identify the issue currently preventing essential dog care.
Short-term stability
Consider whether practical or temporary support could stabilise the situation.
Long-term planning
Explore wider pathways once the immediate pressure has been addressed.
A client may be admitted to hospital, unable to afford boarding and worried about losing their home. The starting pathway may be Hospital and Healthcare, with Temporary Care, Financial Hardship and Housing considered alongside it.
Still unsure?
Ask HomeWagger for case guidance
Some situations involve several services, changing circumstances or concerns that do not fit neatly into one pathway. You can request guidance without deciding the final pathway first.
Request case guidance
Contact HomeWagger for help identifying the most appropriate pathway and next steps.
Request case guidanceStart a general referral
Submit the main details and select “Not sure” as the referral pathway.
Start a general referralReturn to Referral Centre
Review all available pathways and referral support information.
Open Referral Centre💚 The HomeWagger Promise
Every situation is different.
This guide helps professionals identify an appropriate starting point. It does not replace professional judgement, emergency procedures or statutory responsibilities.
Where several issues are affecting the client, HomeWagger can help identify the immediate priority and coordinate support across more than one pathway.