Frequently Asked Questions:
PLEASE CLICK ON "ADOPTION INFO" FOR AN OVERVIEW OF OUR ADOPTION PROCESS.

1. Why do most of your dogs require secure, fenced backyards?  Most of our dogs come from shelters where they were picked up as strays.   Oftentimes they are used to roaming and this habit can be hard to break.  Better that they are safely contained in an area where they can run free, like a backyard.  This doesnt mean that they should be left alone in the backyard - absolutely not!  We also strongly believe that dogs are meant to be off leash as often as possible.  Living in an apartment or condo and walking your dog 2 to 3 times a day is great, but even better if you have a fenced backyard.  For further education on yards vs. walks, please see menu titled "Why should I have a secure, fenced backyard?"
2. Why is your application so long and involved?  Because we care.  We try to make the best match possible and to do that, we need to ask many specific questions.  You might think we are intrusive but we need to know you and the only way we can do that is by asking as many questions as possible.
3. I haven't heard back from anyone regarding my application.  Why not?  Unfortunately, we don't have the time or resources to respond to each and every application.  We are all volunteers with busy lives outside of rescue.  Usually if we feel its a good match, we will respond within a week.  You are welcome to check anytime on the status of your application.
4. Don't you want to adopt these dogs as quickly as possible so that they can be in a home instead of a cage or a kennel?   Most of our dogs are in foster homes.  Our main goal is to make the best match possible for these animals.  Many have issues that need to be addressed before they can be adopted.  Many have had past lives that are less than desirable.  For that reason, we intend to make their next home, their forever home. 
5. Are all the dogs listed on your website available for adoption?  Yes.  If we have the phrase "adoption pending" next to an animal's name, that means we have tentatively committed to adopting that animal to a person who has yet to meet or pick up that animal. 
6. Why are your adoption fees so high?  The SPCA, Humane Society, or county shelter fees are not that high.  We are a private, non-profit group - we do NOT receive any national funding from the above entities; therefore, we rely strictly on our adoption fees for medical costs for our animals and our veterinarian costs are not donated.  All of these animals come to us with some sort of medical challenge that requires treatment, be it from flea infestations (anti flea drops work the best and are expensive) to major surgery.  Many times we take on the treatment of an elderly dog and charge a low adoption fee for that dog.  The younger, healthier dogs' adoption fees help offset the cost of the older, more medically challenged dogs.  But the good news is, that your adoption fees are tax-deductible.
7. What is the difference between adopting a dog from a pound or shelter rather than a rescue like yours?  Oftentimes, the issues that a dog comes with are the very reason they have ended up in the pound or shelter.  The advantage of adopting from a rescue like ours is that we try to address the medical and behavioral issues before they are adopted.  Sometimes, we can't solve everything, but we do try.  Also, because we take care of these dogs ourselves and are not a large rescue, we know the dogs firsthand.  Not every rescue is like ours, though - be sure to do your research before adopting.
8. Do you adopt to out of town applicants?  Yes.  As long as you follow our adoption procures and successfully go through our adoption process, we will adopt to out of town applicants.
9. Will you ship an animal to an adopter?  Absolutely not.  We feel strongly that we need to meet in person each adopter.  Also, these animals have been through so much trauma already; they don't need the additional trauma of being stuck in the cargo hold of an airplane.
10. If I fly to get my dog, can it be flown home in the cargo hold?  Again, absolutely not.  Please refer to our "news" section and find out why by reading the article of several dogs who have died being flown cargo.  Your dog must accompany you in the cabin of the airplane.
11. Can you drive to meet us halfway, or can we arrange to have the animal transported via a rescue transport?  No.  We are just a small organization and do not have the funds or time to do this.  In addition, its better for you to meet your prospective adoptee in an environment where they are comfortable and haven't had to be cooped up in the car for a period of time.  Meeting them for the first time in a strange environment after a car trip, isn't ideal.  And honestly, if you are an adopter who is committed to a rescue dog, you will want to take the time and resources needed to make this adoption work by driving or flying to meet your dog.
12. Can you hold an animal for me?  No.  Its in the best interests of the dog that they be adopted as soon as possible.  Another qualified applicant may be able to adopt the dog before you can pick it up, therefore creating another foster space that will save one more life. 
13. Why does it take so long to be approved for adoption?  We're all volunteers with lives, jobs and families outside of the rescue.  Be patient!
14. Do you have any paid staff?  No.  Our organization is 100% volunteer.  All of the donations and adoption fees go right to the care of the animals.
15. Why can't I meet an animal before I fill out the application?  It saves us time to have you fill out the app first.  If for some reason there are questions that we have about your situation or even if the dog is not the best match for your situation, then its better if we find that out right away. 
16. I am interested in a particular dog, but have been told that dog is not appropriate for me.  I disagree with this, I should know what dog is best for my situation.    Many of our dogs are in foster care and have been for several weeks.  Their foster parents know the dog best.  For example, if we feel that a dog must have someone home most of the time, that means the dog suffers from separation anxiety, is too energetic to be left alone for long periods of time, or for some other reason.  We know the dogs best.  If you are gone most of the day, you need an older, less energetic dog who can handle longer periods of separation. 
17. I applied for a dog before someone else; Shouldn't my application be considered first?  We do not adopt on a first-come, first-served basis.  We try to make the best match for the dog and its prospective adopters.  Therefore, even if you have applied before someone else, you may not be approved to adopt that particular dog.
18. Can I return a dog after I adopt it?  Yes, you do have a 2 week period in which to get a full refund of your adoption fee.  But we do not want this to happen.  Its in the best interests of the dog that it go to a forever home - not a temporary home again.
19. What if the dog is sick, or has issues that I wasn't aware of?  We pride ourselves on not keeping anything from our adopters.  We will be brutally honest with you about an animal's challenges, medically and emotionally.  Therefore, you know to the best of our ability, what you are getting into. But if for some reason, your adoptee has issues that you can't deal with, please call us.  We will happily give you advice or take the animal back if its a serious problem.  If after two weeks from the time of adoption, you feel the issues can't be resolved you can return the animal and get a full refund.
20. Are your animals healthy?  We try to give the best medical care that we can.  For example, we don't use over the counter worming medication; we use expensive prescription worming meds that cost $7 a pill.  All aninals are given a thorough medial exam before adoption, heartworm tested, current vaccinations, wormed, treated for fleas and groomed.  If there are medical issues that we are aware of, we will also pass that information on to you.

If after reading the answers to these questions, you get the idea that we are strongly committed to the welfare of our animals, you are right!  We aren't on a power trip - we really do care about each little soul that comes into our rescue.  We want to make the best lifetime decision for them that we possibly can.  Why?  Because they can't speak for themselves, someone has to!