Please fully read our Adoption Process outlined below before submitting an application or an inquiry.
We require all prospective adopters to complete each step of the process before a dog will be placed into your home. Each step of the process is designed to better match a dog's individual personality with that of each family’s unique lifestyle. If you feel you can not complete all of the required steps outlined below we will be unable to help you adopt a dog through our rescue program. Please note that completion of any or all of the steps listed below In No Way implies acceptance or approval for adoption. Herd About Rescue retains the right to refuse adoption, to any person or persons, at any time, for any reason.
Step One: The Adoption Application
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The first step is filling out the Adoption Application. The application allows HAR to determine what you are looking for in a companion in order to best match your family and home with the dog that is right for you. Some dog are fine with hardwood flooring, while some are terrified of any slippery surface. Some dogs make wonderful jogging buddies and agility competitors, while some spend the entire day as a couch potato. Some families don’t mind a “counter surfer” dog while others prefer a dog with impeccable obedience skills already in place. The application gives us a better idea of what type of dog would best fit into your home.
Step Two: The Vet Reference
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On your application your will be asked for the name and phone number of your vet. We will be calling your vet for basic information only (how long you have been a client, are your pets in good health, etc.). Please let you vet know we will be calling (you NEED to call them to consent to release of information before they will speak to us. If you have not called the vet after sending in your application, we cannot continue the adoption process).
Step Three: The Home Visit
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The home visit is a very important part of the adoption process and NO adoption will take place without this very important step being completed. A home visit is when a rescue volunteer comes to your home and visits with all your family members present. We are not there to judge your home, your family or your lifestyle. The reason for the home visit is to get to know your family a little better in our quest to make the best match possible for our sake, but also for yours! This step in the process is also a great opportunity to ask the home visitor questions about the rescue, rescue dogs, and to get tips and thoughts on how to help a new dogs settle into their new home.
Step Four: The Adoption Contract and the Adoption Fee
The last step of the process includes reading, the signing, the adoption contract. The contract is signed by both the adopters and by an HAR representative. The purpose of the contract is to outline and set into agreement what is expected of the adoptive family in regards to future care of their new furry family member. It also states that if at any time during the lifetime of the dog, for any reason whatsoever, you can no longer care for your adopted dog, that dog must come back to Herd About Rescue. This last step is also when the adoption donation is paid. We request a minimum donation of $500.00 to help off-set the costs incurred by the dog while in the care of HAR. Please note that this almost never covers the cost of micro-chipping, spaying/neutering, vet exams, vaccinations, medications, grooming and any of the myriad of other things a rescue dog requires before being considered adoptable.