Website design By BotEap.comIf you are considering adopting a dog from an animal shelter or dog rescue group, this is wonderful! Every dog ​​adopted from a shelter or rescue group helps eliminate despicable puppy mills and, more importantly, saves a dog’s life. Unfortunately, some dog rescue groups make adopting a dog almost as difficult as adopting a child. The first hurdle you must overcome is the initial adoption application. A “wrong” answer here will send you home in shock and empty-handed. For this reason, it is important that you read this application BEFORE falling in love with a specific dog.

Website design By BotEap.comMost rescue groups, especially puppy-dog rescues and breed-specific rescues, require you to submit an adoption application and approve it before they will even speak to you or allow you to see their dogs in person. . You will be able to see images of dogs available on the rescue website; but until they have approved your application, that is all that can come. Fortunately, not all rescues are so terribly demanding; And in comparison, the shelters are downright cozy!

Website design By BotEap.comI can’t overstate the importance of this initial app! Please understand that I am an honest person. I am not lying and would never tell anyone to lie on an application. With that said, there are certain responses that, if indicated in an application, will immediately disqualify you. When you read the application, you will need to determine if any of these apply to you. Then you will need to decide how you want to handle the situation. You can try to avoid having to admit the truth, or you may need to find a less demanding rescue team.

Website design By BotEap.comFor the questions below, I will give you the “correct” answer, by which I mean the answer the ransom wants to read or hear from you. I will also give you answers that will disqualify you. If there is any other acceptable answer, I will say it as well. For some questions, I’ll just say NOTB – None of your business – or I’ll just tell you to go elsewhere.

Website design By BotEap.comTypical “problematic” questions:

Website design By BotEap.com1. How much money do you make? This is one of those NOTB questions. Supposedly, they want to make sure you can afford to adopt a dog, but I think the only answer that can be given here is “I earn enough.”

Website design By BotEap.com(Just FYI – some bailouts are actually discriminatory, and questions related to salary, type of home, where you live, etc. are used to remove certain people.)

Website design By BotEap.com2. How long during the day will your dog be alone?

Website design By BotEap.comDisqualify: All day or I work all day.

Website design By BotEap.comCorrect: NONE. There is always someone at home.

Website design By BotEap.comAcceptable: not long. I go home for lunch and my neighbor lets the dog out two or three times a day.

Website design By BotEap.com3. How long will your dog have to spend alone outdoors?

Website design By BotEap.comDisqualify: All day.

Website design By BotEap.comCorrect: None.

Website design By BotEap.comThere is no other acceptable answer.

Website design By BotEap.com4. Is your yard fenced in with a 5 ‘(or 6’) wooden fence?

Website design By BotEap.comDisqualify: No fence; electric fence; 4 ‘wire fence. (I have not found any rescue that will accept an electric fence.)

Website design By BotEap.comCorrect: Yes, I have a 5 ‘(or 6’) wooden fence.

Website design By BotEap.comAcceptable: this will depend on the dog. For an older small dog, a shorter fence might be acceptable.

Website design By BotEap.com5. Do you have children? What are the ages?

Website design By BotEap.comDisqualification: Baby or children under 6 years old.

Website design By BotEap.comCorrect: There are no children, or they are all 10 or older.

Website design By BotEap.comAcceptable: Ages 4-10 will depend on the dog.

Website design By BotEap.com6. What pets do you have and, if you don’t already have them, please indicate why not?

Website design By BotEap.comThe second part of this question is IT’S NOT B! They are trying to find out if he has left any pets or if he has returned any.

Website design By BotEap.com7. Where will the dog sleep?

Website design By BotEap.comDisqualify: Outdoors.

Website design By BotEap.comCorrect: In the house, with us, in a drawer.

Website design By BotEap.com8. Is everyone in the family excited about getting a new dog?

Website design By BotEap.comDisqualify: Any answer other than YES.

Website design By BotEap.comCorrect: YES.

Website design By BotEap.com9. Have you ever returned or delivered a pet? This could be worded: Is there an acceptable reason to return a pet?

Website design By BotEap.comDisqualify: Yes.

Website design By BotEap.comCorrect: never. I would never do that.

Website design By BotEap.comAcceptable – This can be tricky. If an adopted animal and its current pets can’t figure things out, it may still be approved.

Website design By BotEap.com10. Have you had a pet?

Website design By BotEap.comDisqualify: Yes. Most rescues do not believe there is any acceptable reason to euthanize a dog. Aggression is never an acceptable reason. Serious injury or illness may be considered acceptable, but that depends on rescue. Some believe in the “while they can breathe” philosophy to keep an animal alive.

Website design By BotEap.comFinal thoughts:

Website design By BotEap.comBefore becoming fond of a dog, read both the adoption application and the adoption contract. If you find that you will not be approved (young children, living in an apartment, unfenced yard, etc.) or you cannot agree to some of the requirements of the contract, don’t bother looking at pictures of your animals. Instead, find a different rescue or go to your local shelter or Humane Society.

Website design By BotEap.comPuppy kennel rescue groups and breed rescues tend to have an inherent distrust of humans. Therefore, their requirements are very strict. Rescues that make a concerted effort to save dogs from euthanasia in shelters are more human-friendly and understand that their first goal should be to bring these animals into loving homes.

Website design By BotEap.comBe patient and check the websites frequently. Visit your local shelter often. Your perfect dog will find you!