ADOPTION PROCESS
Dogworks strives to place dogs into permanent homes based on the dogs' personalities and yours. To adopt a dog, we require a completed application, signed adoption contract, and home visit.
Applications can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at adoption events. Once your application has been submitted, we will contact your references and consider suitability. You will be contacted by phone or email, typically within 4 business days, to make arrangements for adoption. If a particular dog is not placed with you, it does not mean that your application has been rejected. Dogworks receives multiple applications for some dogs. Foster families always have the first option to adopt.
We do not approve applications on a first come basis as we strive for placement that is best for the dog and adoptive family. The home environment, family composition and yard are very important considerations in our decision to place a dog in a home. Some dogs do not do well with young children or cats, and our hounds require a fenced yard as examples of our decision process.
Adoption fees are variable (typically $125-$350.00) and are listed with the description of each dog. All fees collected are used to cover rescue expenses, including foster care and veterinary expenses. Adoption fee will be refunded if you decide that the dog is not compatible with your family within 2 weeks.
All dogs have received age appropriate vaccinations, GI dewormer, and heartworm test prior to adoption if they are old enough. Adult dogs and puppies older than 12 weeks are spayed/neutered. Adopters of younger puppies may be required to sign an agreement to complete spay/neuter by 5 months of age. We will assist with spay/neuter costs. All of our dogs and puppies will be microchipped prior to adoption.
Adopters will receive a copy of medical records when adoption contract has been signed and adoption fees have been paid in full.
Applications can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at adoption events. Once your application has been submitted, we will contact your references and consider suitability. You will be contacted by phone or email, typically within 4 business days, to make arrangements for adoption. If a particular dog is not placed with you, it does not mean that your application has been rejected. Dogworks receives multiple applications for some dogs. Foster families always have the first option to adopt.
We do not approve applications on a first come basis as we strive for placement that is best for the dog and adoptive family. The home environment, family composition and yard are very important considerations in our decision to place a dog in a home. Some dogs do not do well with young children or cats, and our hounds require a fenced yard as examples of our decision process.
Adoption fees are variable (typically $125-$350.00) and are listed with the description of each dog. All fees collected are used to cover rescue expenses, including foster care and veterinary expenses. Adoption fee will be refunded if you decide that the dog is not compatible with your family within 2 weeks.
All dogs have received age appropriate vaccinations, GI dewormer, and heartworm test prior to adoption if they are old enough. Adult dogs and puppies older than 12 weeks are spayed/neutered. Adopters of younger puppies may be required to sign an agreement to complete spay/neuter by 5 months of age. We will assist with spay/neuter costs. All of our dogs and puppies will be microchipped prior to adoption.
Adopters will receive a copy of medical records when adoption contract has been signed and adoption fees have been paid in full.
Requirements for adoption:
Please be aware that your adoption application WILL NOT be approved by Dogworks unless ALL of these criteria are met:
- Adopters must be within a one hour radius of Toledo.
- Adopters must be at least 21 years of age.
- Veterinary reference must be positive.
- All dogs in the home must be spayed/neutered.
- All members of the household must be in agreement to adopt.
- Individual needs of the dog must be met in prospective home (e.g., fully fenced yard for all hounds).
A few things to consider before adopting a dog:
- Does everyone in your home want to get a dog? Have you talked with your spouse, roommate, etc.? Everyone needs to be agreeable and prepared!
- Do you have young children? Some breeds (and some individual dogs) are less tolerant of young children. We try to assess each dog's suitability for living with young children in their profiles based on foster families' reports.
- Are you thinking about having a baby? Are there any other major life events on the horizon? We want your pet to be a "forever" companion. Can you can continue to make that commitment when there are changes in your lifestyle?
- Are you renting? Will your lease be up for renewal soon? Does your landlord allow dogs? Does he or she restrict size, number, age, breeds
- Is your yard and fencing appropriate for the dog you are applying for? Dogworks requires all hounds and some high-energy dogs to have a fully fenced yard. If you do not have a fenced yard, can you walk the dog several times per day? Will you visit dog parks for exercise?
- Will you have enough room if your dog grows to be bigger than expected? We try to guess the adult weight of puppies--but our predictions may be wrong if parentage is unknown!
- What is your work schedule like? If you work long hours, you may not be able to provide the best home for a dog. We ask adopters to avoid keeping their dogs in crates for prolonged periods.
- Can you afford veterinary expenses? Dogworks requires adopters to maintain heartworm prevention, flea/tick prevention, and appropriate immunizations. Injuries or illnesses may result in even higher veterinary expenses!
- Can you deal with problem behaviors? No dog is perfect! Depending on the severity of the dog's vices and your knowledge and experience, you may be able to deal with some problems at home--or you may need to consult a trainer. Are you able to invest the time and money needed for the dog to be his or her best?
- Does anyone in your family have pet allergies? We understand that first-time dog owners or young children may not realize they have pet allergies until a dog joins their family. If you are not able to keep an adopted dog due to allergies, your adoption fee may be refunded within the first 2 weeks
OUT OF AREA ADOPTIONS
Dogworks encourages any dog lover who can provide a stable, loving home for a rescue dog to complete an adoption application. Here are a few considerations for applicants outside the Toledo area:
- Dogworks does not use outside shipping agencies for rescued dogs.
- If you live within 25 - 60 miles of Toledo and an adoption application has been approved and a home visit done, the adoption can be scheduled at one of our local Petsmart stores.
- Dogworks prefers to place dogs at permanent homes within 60 miles of Toledo, just in case problems arise in the new home. Exceptions to this rule can be discussed on an individual basis.
- Meeting a dog prior to adoption is generally best! We try to represent all dogs accurately in pictures and descriptions, but you cannot fully appreciate how a dog looks and acts until you meet him or her in real life. Meet & Greets help many prospective adopters avoid surprises and disappointment. If you are not able to attend our Meet & Greets, please contact us to discuss other arrangements for meeting a specific dog.