Considering Adoption?

 

View Adoptable Dogs

 

Adoption Process

Step One: Research! Please thoroughly read through all of the adoption information provided. A dog as a member of your family is an incredibly rewarding experience. They are loyal, loveable, furry best friends that bring so much joy into our lives. However, the decision to add a new dog to your family should not be taken lightly - it is a lifetime commitment and before you decide to bring your new friend home, you should do your research and be fully aware of what is involved in responsible dog ownership. Please be certain everyone in the household is on board for a potential adoption before applying. 

 

Step Two: Apply! Now that you have read through our adoption process and requirements it is time to submit your application. The adoption application is a way for us to learn about your family and lifestyle, which helps us determine whether or not your family is a good match for the dog you are applying for. Our volunteers carefully review each application received and we try our very best to respond to each applicant. Please make certain you meet all of the adoption requirements listed for the particular dog you are interested in. We will not process an application if the requirements are not met. If "preferred" is listed after the requirement, it would be preferable but is not a hard requirement. 

 

Step Three: Reference checks and home visit. One of our representatives will start by calling your personal references as well as your veterinarian. If you rent your home, your landlord will also be called to verify that a dog would indeed be welcome to live there. Once references have been reached, we will contact you to arrange either a virtual or in-person home visit. 

 

Step Four: You will be connected with the foster family of the dog you applied for. This will start with a phone call and then arrangements will be made for an in-person meet and greet. Please ensure all members of the family are able to attend the meet and greet. A meet and greet does not guarantee an adoption. This is an opportunity for you as well as the foster family to ensure a good fit. If for any reason a SFCR representative does not feel it would be an appropriate placement, we will not move forward with an adoption.

 

Step Five: Adoption day. Today is the day you will get to bring your new pup home, pay the adoption fee, and sign the adoption contract. All of your dog's medical records will be given to you. They will also be sent home with some of the food they have been eating and a martingale collar. Sometimes foster families will send additional items with them as well. Please make sure you have a leash available as well as a crate or car seat to safely transport your new dog home. 

 

ADOPTION FAQ's

 

What kind of medical/veterinary care does SFCR provide before a dog is adopted to a new family?

All dogs are seen by our veterinarian for a full physical exam, are brought up to date on vaccinations, heartworm and tick-borne disease tested, and altered if needed. We also run full bloodwork on our senior dogs and prior to any anesthetic procedures. All dogs are microchipped prior to adoption.

Additionally, many of our dogs require extensive dental care, surgeries, and our cavaliers often require advanced cardio care (echocardiograms). 

We strive to provide our dogs with exceptional veterinary care while in rescue and are very transparent about a dog's health status and long-term needs. Setting our dogs AND adopters up for success is always our top priority.

 

How much does it cost to adopt a dog from you?

Our adoption fees vary based on the age and health of the dog but generally range from $400-$850. Most fees are in the lower to middle end of the range since the majority of dogs we have in our program are adults. If your first question about a dog is "What is the fee?", please know that this is likely not the rescue group for you. We want people who are applying to adopt because they are kind-hearted, acknowledge the level of care we provide our dogs (and the cost associated with doing so), and want to support our mission while providing a loving home to a dog in need. We receive no government funding and rely on private donations in order to continue our mission. Our adoption fees rarely, if ever cover the expense we put into our dogs.