Our criteria is relatively simple. We are careful not to place too many restrictions on adoptive families because it has been proven that extensive adoption criteria does not increase successful adoption outcomes. We also know that having a fenced yard does not make you a better adopter than the person who does not have a fenced yard but takes their dog on 4 walks a day. Each dog has different needs and our main goal is to find the family who meets those needs.
Adopters must be within a 2 hour drive of Placer County, CA. In order for us to do a home check, we must be able to get to your home within a reasonable amount of time. Occasionally we may make exceptions to this; however, exceptions are usually only given to special cases such as a dog who has been in our care for a long time or has a need that can only be met by a special home. Oftentimes we provide follow up support and we must be able to do this with relative ease.
If you do not own your own home, we must speak with your landlord ahead of time to ensure you have proper clearance to have a dog in your home.
While we understand that you may fall head over heels for one of our dogs, that dog may not be the best fit for you or your family. We have many dogs who cannot live with other dogs, many who cannot live with cats, and many who are best without children or with children of a particular age. We have adoption criteria specific to each dog and we strive to ensure you can provide the best home for the dog and the dog is the right fit for your family. Oftentimes people fall in love with the appearance of a dog but the exercise needs of the dog exceed the families ability to provide. We take all of this into consideration when adopting out a dog. Our decisions are not personal. We know our dogs well and we want to ensure a long, happy life together. We will always do our best to make sure our dogs find the perfect family.
We reserve the right to deny any adopter for any reason.
Adoption Procedure:
Step 1: Submit an application. The application provides us with valuable information needed to make a preliminary determination as to whether or not you are the right family for the dog and if the dog is the right dog for you! The information gathered on the application allows us to save you and us a lot of time by helping us to find you the right family member.
Step 2: Follow up conversation. Once the application is received, we will contact you via email or phone for additional information or to set up meet and greet with the dog.
Step 3: The meet and greet. The meet and greet is a time for you to meet the dog and see if it's love at first sight! If there is a love match and you have other pets, we set up a 2nd meet and greet so your pets can meet the new dog in a neutral setting. If you do not have any other pets, we move on to Step 4.
Step 4: The home check. To ensure our dogs go to the right homes, we do require a home check. We are mostly looking to make sure you are who you say you are, your home is safe for the dog, and to help troubleshoot for any problem areas such as broken fencing, pools, neighboring dogs, etc...We also give tips on crate placement and other suggestions to help the dog seamlessly transition to your home.
Step 5: The Adoption Contract. All adopters are required to read and sign an Adoption Contract that releases our organization of liability and transfers ownership of the dog to you. The Contract also contains vital information about the dog such as behavioral or medical issues, history, etc...
Step 6: HAPPILY EVER AFTER!
Adoption Prices:
Puppies are: $200
Adult dogs 1 year to 7 years are: $150
Senior dogs 8 years or older are: $100
We often have adoption specials (reduced fees) or sponsored adoptions (where the fee is paid by a special donor so the dog is free to you) and if you adopt during one of those time or a sponsored dog, we honor the special at that time.
There are no exceptions to our prices. We are one of the lowest priced rescues around and we do not even come close to covering the cost of the care the dog receives in our care so please do not ask us to give you the dog for free. Dogs are expensive and if the adoption fee is a challenge, so will be paying vet bills and buying food etc...