Adopt
Adopt a Dog
Want to give a dog a safe and loving home? You’re in the right place!
Here’s how the process works…
1. Find your dog
We have lots of amazing dogs available for adoption. Your new best friend may be one of them.
2. Fill out an adoption form
We hate paperwork, too. But to help us keep track of all the people who want to give our dogs wonderful homes, we need you to fill out an adoption form.
3. Bring your dog home
We want to make sure you and your dog have a smooth transition into your home. We’ve put together a collection of resources for new adopters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the process take?
The adoption process can take just a couple of weeks or upwards of a month depending on a few factors.
Some of our dogs are down at our sanctuary in Tennessee and need to be transported up to New England before they can go home with you. Massachussets, Connecticut, and Rhode Island also have quarantine laws for dogs that are adopted from other states that can add time to the process.
And for dogs that have received a lot of applications, it can take a little time for our adoption coordinators to sort through them all. We’re 100% volunteer-based, so we’re looking at applications before and after work and on the weekends.
For local dogs, the process may be a bit quicker.
What happens after I submit an adoption form?
Your adoption form is sent to the adoption coordinator for the dog you’re interested in. They review all of the applications that come in, and will work with some of our other volunteers to conduct phone interviews and home visits.
If you’re a good match for one of our dogs, they’ll also work with you to get your new dog home.
Why do I have to pay for a rescue dog?
We are often asked, “Why would you charge so much for a rescue dog? Why not just place it in a good home?”
A young, healthy dog might cost us $150 to $400 in discounted vet care, and many people will want to adopt it. An older dog with health issues can easily cost $500 to $1,500 in veterinary expenses, and it may require months of foster care for rehabilitation yet we can only ask a minimal adoption fee, and it may be a long time until anyone comes forward to adopt him/her. Fees from the younger, more adoptable dogs help offset the cost of caring for the others.
We’re staffed entirely by volunteers. We have no paid employees and minimal overhead costs. Because of this, 99-cents of every dollar we receive goes directly towards helping our dogs.
Why didn’t I get the dog I wanted?
Unfortunately, you may not be the only one interested in adopting a particular dog. We try really hard to match dogs with homes that will be a great fit.
If you don’t get your first choice, don’t worry! We have plenty of great dogs in need of loving homes.