Dogs For Life Adoption Policies
Things to Consider Before Adopting:
Do you really want a dog? Are you prepared for the lifestyle and financial impact? Are you up for cleaning up various messes? Do you have time for a dog? Are you willing to make scheduling changes and sacrifices in order to make this new relationship work? Are you willing to take your dog to obedience training? Do you have the time and energy to exercise your new dog appropriately?
What are your future plans? Will you be moving? Are you committed to finding a place that is dog-friendly? Are you getting married or having kids? How will you help keep the socialized with other people and kids?
Your new friend is counting on you to meet their needs. Consider food, toys, routine vaccinations, heartworm disease preventative and don’t forget about emergency care. Please review our articles on the Cost of Dog Ownership to get an idea of how much it costs to have a dog for their lifespan.
Training
Dogs For Life requires that all new dog owners attend a training class with their new pet to ensure that you develop a happy, healthy, and long-lasting relationship. Dogs are amazingly smart animals that can learn what behaviors are expected of them very quickly. At the same time, dogs that are not taught basic commands and manners will not identify with their owners as "pack leaders" and often develop undesirable habits. The training requirement may be waived on a case by case basis for experienced dog owners.
Spay/Neuter
In accordance with our mission to end the euthanasia of adoptable animals, Dogs For Life has a strict policy requiring all our rescue dogs to be spayed or neutered. While we do our best to make sure pets are spayed or neutered before being adopted, if this has not been possible, we make adoptions contingent on the completion of the operation. As a result, if new adopters violate the terms of the adoption contract, we will take actions to reclaim the dog.
Dog Return
Adoption donations are non-refundable, but if you feel that your new dog is not a match for you, you may return the dog to us within one week of the adoption. If it's past one week, we'll do our best to find an available foster home (if you're unable to foster), and get them the permanent home they deserve.
Do you really want a dog? Are you prepared for the lifestyle and financial impact? Are you up for cleaning up various messes? Do you have time for a dog? Are you willing to make scheduling changes and sacrifices in order to make this new relationship work? Are you willing to take your dog to obedience training? Do you have the time and energy to exercise your new dog appropriately?
What are your future plans? Will you be moving? Are you committed to finding a place that is dog-friendly? Are you getting married or having kids? How will you help keep the socialized with other people and kids?
Your new friend is counting on you to meet their needs. Consider food, toys, routine vaccinations, heartworm disease preventative and don’t forget about emergency care. Please review our articles on the Cost of Dog Ownership to get an idea of how much it costs to have a dog for their lifespan.
Training
Dogs For Life requires that all new dog owners attend a training class with their new pet to ensure that you develop a happy, healthy, and long-lasting relationship. Dogs are amazingly smart animals that can learn what behaviors are expected of them very quickly. At the same time, dogs that are not taught basic commands and manners will not identify with their owners as "pack leaders" and often develop undesirable habits. The training requirement may be waived on a case by case basis for experienced dog owners.
Spay/Neuter
In accordance with our mission to end the euthanasia of adoptable animals, Dogs For Life has a strict policy requiring all our rescue dogs to be spayed or neutered. While we do our best to make sure pets are spayed or neutered before being adopted, if this has not been possible, we make adoptions contingent on the completion of the operation. As a result, if new adopters violate the terms of the adoption contract, we will take actions to reclaim the dog.
Dog Return
Adoption donations are non-refundable, but if you feel that your new dog is not a match for you, you may return the dog to us within one week of the adoption. If it's past one week, we'll do our best to find an available foster home (if you're unable to foster), and get them the permanent home they deserve.