Adoption Information

This is where you will find information about adopting one of our Rescue dogs.  Adopting a rescue dog should be something to be considered seriously.  This should never be something done on "impulse".  Please be aware that we do NOT adopt dogs out as "surprises" or "presents" for other people.  We only adopt directly to the person who will be owning the dog.  We don't do any adoptions during the Christmas season either.  Dogs are not stocking stuffers.  Adopted dogs need time to adjust and they need your time and attention to do so and most people just don't have the time during the holiday season to solely commit to a new dog.  There are dinners to attend to, last minute shopping, company both expected and unexpected.  So from the first week in December to the second week of January there will be no animals adopted.

For all of our animals adopted out we do charge an adoption fee.  This fee starts at $100 and can go up depending on the extent of medical treatment that each adoptive animal has received while in our care.  Why do we charge this adoption fee do you ask?  There are several reasons.  First we want to make sure that you have the disposable income to take care of a dog.  Dogs need routine veterinary medical treatment and medications to stay happy and healthy.  If you can't afford $100 for the dog how are you going to afford the vet bill when something goes wrong with it? or when they need yearly shots? or when they need heartworm medication?  We also aren't made of money (though rescue isn't out to "make money" either) we just try to keep our heads above water financially.  Each dog that comes into our rescue has to have basic medical procedures such as a complete physical exam, heartworm check, most have to have shots and be spayed or neutered before they are adopted.  Rarely do we ever get dogs in that are in such good shape and have been so well taken care of that they don't need to have anything done to them.  Many need grooming, training, and they all have to eat, so the expenses really mount up.  There is no way we can be compensated for our time, but we must charge something to help our with our expenses.  We rely on our own finances and donations from the general public to maintain our level of commitment to these dogs, but that doesn't cover all of our expenses.  Also if you pay for something, it has more worth to you than if you got it for free, right?  So if you have money invested in this animal, you are also less likely to want to get rid of it in the future if something goes wrong as well.  So our modest adoption fee serves many purposes. 

When you come to adopt an animal from rescue, be prepared to fill out and application, and answer lots of questions.  These questions we ask aren't because we are being nosy, and want to know all about your private life.  They are there so that we can successfully match a dog to your household, schedule, personality, and lifestyle.   When you come to rescue we aren't going to let you pick the "cutest" dog.  We are going to match the dog with the right personality to you and your family.  In rescue we don't expect anyone to be perfect.  What we do want to do is place a dog with you that you will be happy with, and the dog will be happy with you and your family.  The last thing we as rescuers want is to place this dog in a situation where he will be "thrown away" again.  And we go to great lengths to make sure that doesn't happen again.  I know it isn't feasible for everyone in America to have a fenced in yard, but as rescuers we aren't going to place an escape artist in your home (especially ones that bum rush the door when you come home) if he can get away from you and get away.  Likewise if you are a "low-energy" person, we certainly aren't going to place a hyperactive dog in your home, it just wouldn't work out.  So there are many reasons why we ask the questions that we do.  So that we can match the best dog to your situation, as well as make you aware of conflicts between things in your home and yard, and some behaviors that the dog has exhibited.  For example, if during a routine home check we see that you have open trash cans in your home, and we place a known "trash thief" in your home, we will expect you to either keep the dog confined where he can't get into the trash while you are away, or make other arrangements to dispose of your trash.  Something which if we hadn't told you, you might be calling us back in a week saying you don't want the dog anymore.   Likewise if you have a woodpile by your fence, or a gate that is mounted too high, we won't place an escape artist in your home unless the situation is rectified.  We'd much rather place a dog that doesn't have any inclination to "escape" than be party to a tragic accident.

So you see, there is a "method to our madness," and we aren't trying to pry into your life, we are all in this for the good of the dog, and we have an obligation to keep them, as well as our adoptive families safe and happy.  After all, its all about the dogs, right?