Why can't I meet a dog before submitting an application?
Often we receive multiple applications for one dog. We prioritize visits with the best match family. Because our dogs are living in our volunteers' homes, out of fairness to not only the foster homes themselves, but also to the dogs that may have multiple families interested in them, we require all interested adopters to complete our adoption application first. Having every interested person coming to the home of our volunteers to meet our dogs is just not feasible. How do I adopt a pet from you?
1. The Application. Fill out an adoption application form and email it to us as an attachment. Our Rescue will review all applications to determine whether: or not they suit our animals’ needs and if clarification or other requirements are needed. We appreciate your patience as we often have multiple applications to review. 2. A Rescue representative will contact you as soon as possible to provide feedback, request clarification and/or advise of any requirements which have arisen from your application. 3. Meeting the pet! If you are a successful applicant, we will arrange a viewing of the pet you are interested in at the foster home. All family members must attend the viewing to see what you think of the animal and what it thinks of you. It is required for you bring any other dog(s) you have to the viewing. Please let us know before (or during) viewings if you are no longer interested in proceeding with this animal. The casual viewing of animals postpones all other qualified apps for that animal – chewing up our meager resources and delaying the dog/cat’s match with its forever home. 4. Sober second thought. You will go home and think about the meeting and ask any further questions which may arise, and so will the Rescue. 5. Home visit. A visit to your home will be arranged which is done by one of our rescue volunteers or from a volunteer from fellow rescues we network with. When everything progresses positively for both your family and the Rescue, a final adoption meeting will be arranged - one which allows for dog/cat to adjust to its new schedule and environment. 6. A Rescue representative will contact you asap to provide feedback, request clarification and/or advise of any requirements which may have arisen from the home visit. 7. Adoption Day! If everything is positive for both you and the Rescue, you will bring the adoption fees (secure e-transfer is preferred ) or cash is accepted, travel safety mechanism (crate, harness, etc.), leash, personalized ID tag and license tag from your town or municipality to the adoption meeting/ pickup at the foster home. We do not deliver out pets. At any time during this process if either party feels the adoption should be put on hold, or stopped, we will contact each other immediately. Why do you visit my home?
The number one priority is to ensure the safety of every pet in our care. The second priority is to ensure all adoptions are permanent. There are many preventable reasons that pets are surrendered, re-homed or lost. Home visits are not a judgement of decorating or housekeeping - they are for safety of the pet in order to ensure that a happy, forever match is made. Can we bring our dog to meet the new adoptive dog?
Yes Please! In fact it's required. No sense adopting a dog who isn't a good match with your current dog. My current pet is not spayed or neutered - is that a problem?
We will not consider a home with an unaltered dog or cat. Will you fly a dog to his/her new home?
NO! We will not fly or transport a dog to his/her new home. If your application is approved to adopt, you must make the drive to both view and to pick up the dog in person. We do not do out of province adoptions. I do not have a fenced in yard - am I going to be automatically denied?
No, not at all. There are people who adopt from us who live on country properties, in suburban areas, and in condominiums who do not have fenced in yards. Of course, there are always some dogs that must have a fenced in yard (especially "runners" or "bolters"). Invisible fences are NOT permitted. I'm leery of adopting an adult dog as I don't know the dog's history. What do you do to determine if the dog is temperamentally sound?
Don't be! We take public safety very seriously! Our dogs are observed in many situations and environments, which means we ensure the dog is as safe for adoption as possible. As well, because our dogs are fostered in real homes they are well socialized before we allow them to be adopted. We spend a great deal of time and effort in matching dogs with an appropriate home and ensuring dog and human have met more than once. We cannot guarantee, however we make every effort to ensure that the dog is a good candidate for adoption and is temperamentally sound. |
What are your adoption fees?
Adoption fees vary on different dogs but generally range from $350 - $450. If you see a dog you are interested in adopting, please email us for the adoption fee for that specific dog. Please include the dogs name in your inquiry. Adoption fee's are now subject to taxes. While it is possible to adopt a dog for much less from shelters, we provide above average veterinary care and well socialized experience for our pets. Why are your fees more than the pound?
We provide veterinary care above and beyond what most rescues do... and certainly far more than pounds and shelters. See our Policy page for a detailed list of the care our animals receive before they are available for adoption. The sad reality is that we often get the unwanted, unvetted and uncared for. Many adult dogs come to us in need of medical care. Veterinary costs for the special cases can run into thousands of dollars. Younger, healthier dogs may not have quite the same needs as the older dogs do but they too must be examined, vaccinated, dewormed, temperment checked and altered prior to adoption. The adoption fee only partially covers these costs. Donations from the public are very limited. We offset the difference through our fundraising efforts. The average cost (to us) of a rescue dog is well over $1,000. Do you accept personal cheques?
You may pay by cash, money order or certified cheque. Alternately we also accept e-transfer which is secure straight from bank to bank. Sadly we have had too many NSF cheques to continue this method. Do you have a payment plan?
No. All fees must be paid in full on or by Adoption Day. Because a pet can require unexpected veterinary care, it is important that adopters are able to pay for these expenses as they happen. Sadly, and without prejudice, if a family can't afford the adoption fee, they can't struggle to afford the care of the dog. I would like to mail you a donation. Where do I mail it?
Thank you! Please contact us by phone or email How long does it take to process my application?
We respect the time you've taken to fill it out so we try to do it as quickly as possible. However, we are all volunteers so we appreciate your patience with us. Sometimes we receive several applications on the same dogs and many applications come in when we post information on new dogs. On average it takes 3-5 business days- but can take a bit longer if there is a huge influx of applications that need to be reviewed for consideration or if holidays are in the mix . Please feel free to touch base after this time frame to confirm as needed. Why do I have to go to the Foster home to see the dog?
We are not a pound with kennels and so all of our pets are cared for in Foster homes. There are many reasons that this is one of the best possible ways to add a pet to your family: the dog is exposed to real life which is noisy, demanding and interactive. The result is a well socialized dog who has been exposed to kids and other animals, who has been loved and shown that life can be wonderful, who has been taught at least basic manners. The Foster family gets to know the dog in many environments and is able to give you a very realistic description of the pet's strengths and weaknesses. On rare exceptions, we will arrange a viewing away from the Foster home, but because of the above reasons, it really is in the dog's and your best interest to see him or her when they are feeling 'at home'. Will you allow us to bring a dog home for a day/ weekend visit before we commit to adoption?
In General No- we do not permit this as it is added stress and unneeded changes for the pet to have to deal with- as just a trial. Under exceptionally rare circumstances "foster with intent to adopt" will be considered /granted- only once all aspects of the pending adoption is completed. This will be evaluated/ considered only on a case-by-case basis. Why do you ask for our Vet details?
It is important to have a health care plan arranged before you bring your pet home. We provide medical records and micro-chip records which are best stored with your vet. A vet check can be important in determining whether or not an applicant is a responsible pet owner. If I adopt a dog from you, and cannot keep or care for the dog, do you take the dog back?
Yes! If, after extensive training, education and communication with us, an adopted dog does not work out in your home, or you are unable to care for the dog, they must be returned to us. It is the adopters responsibility to arrange and return the adopted pet { as per our adoption application }. You will be asked to sign a Surrender contract stating that you will return the dog to us should you be unable to keep or care for the dog. Can I foster a dog in my home?
Of course! If you have room in your home, you might consider fostering for us! Our foster homes go through a similar screening process that our adopters go through and then we match you up with a foster dog that is suitable to your home, lifestyle and family. You are responsible for providing love, shelter and patience while the dog is in your care and we cover all food and veterinary expenses until the dog is adopted. Please see our Foster FAQ for more information. |
Click here for our Adoption Application