Our mission is to find the best possible homes for the animals in our care. Many dogs have been through severe hardship, mistreatment, or neglect, making ensuring the best for them even more critical.
We enforce solid requirements for potential adopters because only some people are suitable for a particular animal, or vice versa. We try to do right by every person who comes our way looking for a new family pet. But sometimes, we must say “no” to potential adopters. We are the animal’s voice, and since we speak for them and guide their futures, we must take our time and make the best decisions for them.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Step one of the adoption process is our application. So that you know – meet- and- greets will only be arranged once an application is completed and submitted. We do not operate on a first-come, first-served basis, as our goal is to find the best fit for our dogs and adoptive families.
We can take up to TWO WEEKS to process your application and respond. Due to the high volume of applications we receive for certain dogs, we are unable to respond to every submission individually. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of applying, please understand that your application is not being considered at this time.
We will contact you for an interview and home check if your application is selected. You will be scheduled for a meet and greet if your application is approved. We only set up meet and greets with approved applicants, and it must be set up within 72 hours of approval of your application.
We will continue to accept applications for our dogs, and they will stay in rotation until they are officially adopted. We don’t hold dogs. If you’re approved to adopt and meet a dog but do not commit at the meet and greet, we will contact the next approved family. Approved adopters must pick up their dog within 48 hours of executed contract submission.
Please understand we make the best decisions for our dogs- they have been neglected and exploited enough in their previous lives, and we have made a pact with them not to repeat that mistreatment. When we rescue a dog, we promise to find them the best match for a forever home.
**Please note that we do not adopt animals to anyone under 21.
MEET & GREETS
A meet and greet is the next step, and we only finalize adoptions when we believe it is a good fit. Please arrange a meet and greet within 72 hours of your application.
Meet & greets are integral to the adoption process because we want to ensure your existing pet and prospective newly adopted dog can peacefully coexist in the home; therefore, meeting on neutral territory will make the selection and introduction process much more manageable. If you have cats at home, we will do our best to do a cat test, but it is not always possible.
As you may know, dogs in a new environment often will not display a prey drive toward cats during the first couple of weeks of acclimation; this test is only meant to indicate an immediate failure if the dog shows aggression.
All family members and roommates must meet the animal. Some small children are allergic to cats or dogs, but their parents are not aware of it yet. Some elderly family members can’t handle some dogs’ size or activity level, and some dogs get along ideally with one person yet may act aggressively toward another.
Bringing everyone who will be a part of the family or the household is critical to the success of the adoption, and ALL family members must attend the meet and greet. Applicants must be able to travel to the foster’s location for the meet.
If you are scheduled for a meet-and-greet, you must inform us of your decision by the end of business day on the day of your meet. We are unable to hold up our process. Our dogs cannot afford to miss out on potential homes while waiting for a response.
Meet and greets need to be scheduled for a timeframe within 72 hours of your home check unless you have previously discussed things.
HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
ADOPTION REQUIREMENTS
We require a $150 deposit from every adopter to ensure compliance with heartworm prevention and training requirements. This deposit helps reinforce our commitment to responsible pet ownership and sets each dog up for a healthy, successful transition to their new home. Thank you for partnering with us to give every dog the best possible start.
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Newly rescued, fostered, or adopted dogs must start their new lives with stability and safety. Our shelter partners are euthanizing dogs at record rates, and we can only help if we set the dogs up for success from the beginning of their rescue. Training is not optional; it is required and essential for the well-being of your dog.
As part of our adoption requirements, all adopters must complete an age-appropriate training program with their adopted dog:
Dogs 6 months and younger: Complete a Puppy Kindergarten class with a professional dog trainer or training facility.
Dogs 7 months and older: Complete a minimum of three training sessions with a professional dog trainer or through a group training class.
Training must be completed within three months of the contract date. Proof of completion must be submitted to us to receive your refund. If evidence is not offered by the deadline, your refund is forfeited.
Heartworm Prevention Requirement
Veterinarians across the United States widely recommend heartworm prevention, given the severity of its occurrence, as illustrated in this map.
Adopters must validate their purchase through proof of a minimum six-month heartworm prevention or a Proheart 12 injection bought or given at their respective veterinary clinic. In addition, purchases made from authorized retailers such as Chewy or Pet Meds are also valid proof of purchase.
This proof must coincide with our training requirement and both must be submitted within three months from the signed contract.
To secure your refund, submission of both proofs is mandatory. Please note, that the refund becomes null and void if the documents above are not presented within the stipulated time frame.
You may access a more in-depth understanding of this lethal disease through this link.
Please note that we will only accept proof of purchase from retailers within the United States. Unfortunately, we do not accept proof acquired from foreign retailers.
OUT-OF-STATE ADOPTERS
We are a hands-on rescue, and once you adopt from us, you are part of the family. We keep our dogs close and have committed to them for the rest of their lives.
Our adoption areas include the Atlanta, GA area, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maine, Vermont, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island, the District of Columbia, and New Hampshire.
Once you are approved, we require all adopters to travel to the dog for the meet and greet to ensure the dog and prospective adopter are a good match.
The reason we don’t adopt to to other states not listed is because of resources. If a dog is adopted and injured and a family can’t afford or won’t treat it, or a dog is lost and finds itself in a shelter or a good samaritan, we must be able to quickly and effectively treat and get our dog back to us. Our dogs and their safety are our priority.
(Please note that we do not fly dogs).
Each adoption process varies due to the needs of the particular animal and the applicant’s background. Please be patient- we are working hard to ensure our dogs are placed in the best home possible.