Adoption

These are the steps for adoption:

1) I dialogue with you by way of e-mail (I answer all emails quickly).

2) If I think it is a possible fit/match, I e-mail you an application (I do not have online applications).

3) If I approve your app, you then e-mail photos of your yard, fencing, and gates. This typically suffices for the home check.

4) If your app is approved/selected, we schedule a meet and greet in order for you to meet the dog. Many (not all) adoptions occur “on the spot” so that is a main reason to get the other steps done in advance. There is never an obligation to adopt a dog upon meeting the dog. The final decision to adopt lies with the rescue organization, but note, most adoptions go through post meet and greet.

****Please note that there are sometimes other interests on the same dog that you are interested in and only sometimes, we make a decision based on reviewing a few apps. However, once you are the party selected for a particular dog, you are the only party granted the meet and greet, and we will not go on to a secondary applicant unless an adoption does not result from the primary applicant selected.

Adoption fees are as follows: For MOST of our dogs, the adoption fee is $225.00. However, for certain puppies (not all puppies) age 6 months to 11 months, the adoption fee is $250.00. For most puppies under the age of 6 months, or certain pure-bred dogs, the adoption fee may be slightly higher. If you are unclear as to the adoption fee of any particular dog, please do not hesitate to ask. All of the rescued dogs are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and fully vaccinated including rabies. Since most of the dogs come from city and county shelters, vet checks, medications, fecal tests, dewormers, Frontline, and other services are provided as needed. The adoption fee is considered a donation to the rescued animals within the adoption program of Angel’s Heart Dog Rescue. Varying fees provide additional financial support for particular dogs that are harder-to-adopt cases. We realize that you can acquire a dog “for less” at a city or county animal shelter, but understand that rescues do not possess a budget as would be the case with a public shelter; additionally, shelters cannot always ensure the present health of the dog. Rescues frequently pull out of their own pockets to help the dogs in addressing whatever their currents needs are. Finally, there is no limit for how long we will hold a dog. We will hold the dog until he or she finds a forever home. We have taken on challenging cases (which have been costly) and do provide some training to the dogs. We try to help (and learn about) the dogs as much as we can. Thus, adoption fees help recup some of the costs involved. Thanks for your support.

We strive to give you as much information as we can about the animal you wish to adopt by observing his or her behavior in a variety of settings and social situations. We understand that everyone has an idea of exactly what they want or like in a pet. While we acknowledge that everyone should have exactly what they want, we hope to encourage thinking outside of that box too. Consider that the perfect match for you may be a breed you never thought you’d want or love! Or a senior dog, or not a puppy! Please listen to all the wonderful volunteers and people in rescue as they are very experienced in helping you to find the perfect dog fit for you or your family.

Lastly, no dog is perfect. Any rescued dog, or any dog for that matter, will have his or her own set of issues. There is no such thing as a dog that has enough energy to run along side you on a bicycle, but totally chills out in the house without ever chewing or destroying anything along the way, that never barks, loves all people and all dogs, cats, bunny rabbits and the like, a dog that is perfectly house-trained, never has an accident, oh, and did I forget to mention, is already wonderfully trained! Yes, you will have to do some work! The main thing to consider is that the adopted dog is a good fit for you, and visa versa. The dog will come with some issues, but hopefully, they will be issues that are manageable to you, and oh what joys a doggie companion will bring!