Application Process.

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While we understand and appreciate your enthusiasm about adopting, we want our prospective adopters to be aware of a few key points regarding our application process.

 

Pet Status: It is our policy not to accept applications for our dogs, until they become available for adoption. At the time our Directors feel a dog is medically and behaviorally sound to be adopted, we will change the status of the dog on our website and other adoption sites/social media to "available for adoption". At this time and this time only will we accept applications for consideration. In rare cases, we will allow "pre-adoptions" (typically with puppies under 6 months of age). Please contact us if interested in pre-adoption.

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How we choose our adopters: Often people make the mistake of thinking that because they were the first to apply or show interest in one of our dogs, they have then laid claim to that particular dog and expect to be given first opportunity to adopt him or her. It is our policy to choose the best possible home for each of our dogs, which is often NOT the first application we receive. Each dog is an individual with individual needs. As a rescue organization, it is our responsibility to choose adopters based on their ability to meet the needs of the individual pet, NOT the timeliness of their application. We will typically have an open application period for each of our dogs once they become available, during which we will accept & screen applications. Based on the findings of our application screening process, we will then select applicant(s) we feel are best suited for that dog. At that time, we will move forward with an in-person meeting.

 

Meet and Greets: Meet and greets are reserved only for preapproved adopters, and are by appointment only. We are a foster-based rescue and we do not have a facility open to the public. We ask that if you are interested in meeting one of our adoptable dogs, you first submit an adoption application and review our our step-by-step adoption process/fee schedule before attempting to schedule a meet and greet.

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Adoption Fees. We are no longer able to reduce or waive our adoption fees under ANY circumstances. Our adoption fees may seem high to some, however, the reality is they do not cover a fraction of the costs associated with rehabilitation, medical care, housing of our grateful dogs. If you are a prospective adopter who is struggling to cover adoption fee, please let us know. In some cases we can consider a payment arrangement that will suit all parties involved. 

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Our goal is to find the RIGHT home for each of our adoptable dogs. There are many factors that go into this decision, so please be patient with us as we choose the best possible adopter!

 

 

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Returns. Revised 7/22/2021

 

As a small, foster-based rescue organization, our resources such as space and funding are extremely limited. We are working hard to continue our mission to save lives, and continue to accept more shelter pets each month into our rescue program. Due to our limited resources, we can no longer guarantee we will be able to accept dogs back into our rescue program, in the event adopters decide they can no longer keep them after 30 days. We are committed to our mission of finding each of our dogs a loving forever home, and we put a great deal of care into ensuring each dog and their owner/family is set up for success when adopting a dog from us. We often go out of our way and spend a great deal of time and resources prior to adoption in order to ensure a successful adoption. We also counsel each of our adopters on the reality of adopting a rescue/shelter pet, and provide literature to each of our fosters & adopters, including guidelines to follow when introducing a rescue/shelter pet into the home. We also provide extensive medical care to each of our dogs prior to adoption, and treat any and all medical conditions known to us prior to the dog becoming eligible for adoption. In summary, we go to great lengths to place our dogs in homes where their individual needs will be met, and we offer every tool in our "toolbox" prior to adoption (and sometimes after), in order to ensure the success of each adoption.

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If an adopter is having trouble keeping a dog, we will do our best to help, but our resources are limited. We are all volunteers and all our dogs live in private foster homes. Unlike a public shelter, and many larger rescues, we have no paid staff and no kennel facility.

Although we cannot promise to rehome your dog or find a foster home for him or her, we want you to contact us if you are having trouble. We will try to help, to the best of our ability. If the dog has behavior issues, we will find trainers and/or behaviorists who can help. If the dog needs expensive veterinary treatment, we will look for resources. If an adopter needs to move, we will help look for dog-friendly housing.

We recognize that sometimes it is not possible for an adopter to keep the dog. In such cases, we will try to help with advice, support, and resources so the adopter can safely rehome the dog. We ask adopters to advertise the dog in their own networks, social media, and other outlets. We’re all volunteers, and we don’t have any more time than any of our adopters. Adopters know the dog best and are his or her best advocate and best hope for finding another good home.

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In rare cases, we will be able to accept the dog back into our rescue program. For that to happen, we need a foster home, resources to care for him/her, and an evaluation that confirms that the dog has a sound temperament and is adoptable. We will also need evidence that the dog is up to date on vaccinations and is on monthly heartworm preventative. We will ask you to foster your dog (or find a new foster home) and also to cover the dog’s food and veterinary costs.

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The bottom line is that when you adopt a dog – from us, another rescue, from a public shelter, or from a breeder – you accept responsibility for the dog’s welfare for the rest of his or her life, which can be 15 years or more. Regardless of your circumstances – whether you move, switch jobs, get married, get divorced, have children, or experience other major life changes – your dog still needs you. Please consider this carefully before you commit to adopting. It is not fair to ask us – all volunteers with our own dogs, jobs, kids, and complicated lives – to take on your responsibilities. And it is not fair to abandon a dog who loves you to an uncertain fate.