ADOPTION GUIDE
Attention Current Pet Owners
Your current dogs and cats must be spayed or neutered &
up to date on shots before adopting from us.
* A Vet verification is required.
YOUR APPLICATION
Our Adoption Application is designed to find the best match for your family.
Before you begin the application, you’ll want to take care of the following:
Make sure that all and any existing pets are spayed/neutered & up-to-date on shots.
We do not adopt out past a 60 mile radius of Springfield VA
Do your homework on what type of pet (age, temperament, personality, etc.)
is best for your living situation and your lifestyle.If you rent, talk to your landlord about pet policies.
Talk to a trainer, a pet daycare, etc. to have a plan in place for your pet's long term happiness.
Once your application is submitted, our volunteers will review your application.
This review will include:
Contacting your landlord, if you rent;
Contacting your Vet, if you have had dogs or cats in the past 10 years and speaking with you.
Our application review process takes between 24-72 hours on business days.
Before you begin the application, you’ll want to take care of the following:
Make sure that all and any existing pets are spayed/neutered & up-to-date on shots.
We do not adopt out past a 60 mile radius of Springfield VA
Do your homework on what type of pet (age, temperament, personality, etc.)
is best for your living situation and your lifestyle.If you rent, talk to your landlord about pet policies.
Talk to a trainer, a pet daycare, etc. to have a plan in place for your pet's long term happiness.
Once your application is submitted, our volunteers will review your application.
This review will include:
Contacting your landlord, if you rent;
Contacting your Vet, if you have had dogs or cats in the past 10 years and speaking with you.
Our application review process takes between 24-72 hours on business days.
CHOOSING YOUR PET
Once your application is approved, we will setup a time for you to meet the pet you want to adopt.
Our animals are located in loving foster homes throughout
Virginia, Maryland and DC. You can also attend one of our many adoption events.
We adopt each dog and cat to the first approved and available adopter.
The pet of your choice cannot be held or reserved until after your application is approved.
If the dog or cat you want is adopted beforeyour application is approved, we will gladly help you select a new animal as there are so many needing homes. Generally, you will be able to finalize the adoption at the event or meeting.
Our animals are located in loving foster homes throughout
Virginia, Maryland and DC. You can also attend one of our many adoption events.
We adopt each dog and cat to the first approved and available adopter.
The pet of your choice cannot be held or reserved until after your application is approved.
If the dog or cat you want is adopted beforeyour application is approved, we will gladly help you select a new animal as there are so many needing homes. Generally, you will be able to finalize the adoption at the event or meeting.
ADOPTION FEES
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At the time of adoption, you must complete our adoption contract and provide payment of our adoption fees (PayPal | Venmo | Cash, Credit Card (5% processing fee) or a Personal Check are accepted)
Adult dogs (over 7 years) $250 Puppies and adult dogs (up to 5 years) $350-$500 (depending on breed and vetting done) Kittens and cats $175-$350 (depending on breed and vetting done) Senior cats (over 7 years) $150 Many people make the assumption that Rescue is a business, or that Rescuer's make a profit from suffering could not be further from the truth. While not all Rescue Groups are created equally, regardless of the size or breed of dog you are looking for, most will ask for a donation to adopt ranging from $100 to $1000. If a Rescue Group takes in a healthy pet that costs a minimal amount to make ready for adoption, the "profit" from that animal is applied to the vetting costs of the many others who are not as fortunate. When a dog comes into Rescue, funds must be spent on neutering/spaying(age appropriate), teeth cleaning (if needed), vaccinations, (Rabies, DHLPP, Bordetella), screening for Heartworms and heart worm treatment if necessary. Vetting expenses on a healthy animal can run as high as $300 and more with the larger breeds. The truth is the majority of found/stray/rescues DO require additional vetting. Worming is almost always a necessity. Rescuers routinely treat Heartworm positive animals, pay to set broken bones, treat illnesses and injuries---providing treatment the original owners either didn't choose to or could not afford. Rescuers may do whatever is necessary and it can often take several months to return an animal to good health. It is not unusual for the costs of this care to run from $450-$2500 per dog. Most Rescuers do this without benefit of financial backing or resources, choosing to spend money in saving lives, rather than on themselves. I do not know of any Rescue group that makes a profit, or comes anywhere close to breaking even. Rescuers will foster these animals in their homes, making them part of the family while providing care and training. The animals will be screened for behavioral and health issues, have those issues addressed, and every attempt is made to make the best possible match with adopting families. Rescuers spend hours on the computer each day seeking the perfect home, help for a dog, or transport from shelter to Rescue or Rescue to a forever home. Setting up transports for these animals may take weeks to arrange, and require hundreds of e-mails. Phone bills are frequently outrageous, as Rescuers still find it necessary to call shelters and vets that lack e-mail capabilities, to interview prospective adopters and check their references. |
We hope that everything goes well for your new adoption.
All animals will be current on their DHLPP(dogs), FVRCP(cats), rabies (age appropriate) and treated (not tested) for intestinal parasites prior to adoption.
However, please remember that our animals come from shelters in rural areas, hoarding situations, back yard breeders, and stray colonies.
Certain intestinal parasites and illnesses such as feline herpes may not present themselves while the animals are in our care.
Worms are a common problem, especially when they are young.
They often require multiple de-wormings to ensure your pet is worm free.
We provide 1-2 (sometimes more) dewormers while the animal is in our care.
Many will require a third or fourth dewormer.
Our animals are also up to date on flea, tick and heartworm (dogs) prevention before you take them home,
however fleas and common ear mites may still present themselves. You must continue these monthly
treatments as a condition of your adoption.
If a medical concern arises we may be able to help. Some conditions are not observed in a animal
until they transition to a new home. We ask people to contact us if anything happens medically so
we can offer possible guidance. We cannot reimburse you for vet bills or guarantee the health of a pet.
If you do not receive a copy of your records at the time of adoption, please contact us with the name
of your pet and provide an email and mailing address. This will help us expedite the receipt of your records
if they were not provided at the time of adoption.
All animals will be current on their DHLPP(dogs), FVRCP(cats), rabies (age appropriate) and treated (not tested) for intestinal parasites prior to adoption.
However, please remember that our animals come from shelters in rural areas, hoarding situations, back yard breeders, and stray colonies.
Certain intestinal parasites and illnesses such as feline herpes may not present themselves while the animals are in our care.
Worms are a common problem, especially when they are young.
They often require multiple de-wormings to ensure your pet is worm free.
We provide 1-2 (sometimes more) dewormers while the animal is in our care.
Many will require a third or fourth dewormer.
Our animals are also up to date on flea, tick and heartworm (dogs) prevention before you take them home,
however fleas and common ear mites may still present themselves. You must continue these monthly
treatments as a condition of your adoption.
If a medical concern arises we may be able to help. Some conditions are not observed in a animal
until they transition to a new home. We ask people to contact us if anything happens medically so
we can offer possible guidance. We cannot reimburse you for vet bills or guarantee the health of a pet.
If you do not receive a copy of your records at the time of adoption, please contact us with the name
of your pet and provide an email and mailing address. This will help us expedite the receipt of your records
if they were not provided at the time of adoption.
adoption contract
After filling out the adoption application, if your application is approved you are agreeing to the following:
I will provide the animal with all necessary medical care if it becomes sick or injured.
I will take the animal to a veterinarian for routine exams and vaccinations, and should any behavioral problems
arise with this animal, I will work with the animal and/or a veterinarian/behaviorist to resolve the issue.
I will provide proper and sufficient food, water, shelter and humane treatment at all times.
I The animal will live indoors only. I am aware that cats/dogs that live outdoors some or all of the time have significantly shorter life expectancies and face many more health risks than cats kept indoor at all times.
Cats will also under no circumstances be declawed.
I hereafter referred to as Adopter, hereby agree that the above-described animal is being adopted by me solely
as a pet for myself and/or my immediate family. I agree that I will not sell, give away or otherwise dispose of
said animal to any person, or institute for any reason. If at a later date I am unable or unwilling to keep this pet,
I agree to first contact To the Rescue, Inc. at 571-206-8704 or totherescue@petlover.com and give them first
option to reclaim pet at no charge.
To the Rescue Inc. reserves the right to examine and check on the welfare of the above described animal at any
time either by phone or in person. If we are not satisfied with the condition of the dog/cat or the conditions in
which it is kept, that dog/cat can or may be removed immediately and placed in a different home. Any veterinary services due to negligence or lack of care will be the adopter’s responsibility. I will at no time assert any claim, charge, or demand of any kind or nature. I agree to pay To the Rescue, Inc. the sum of $1500 as liquidated
damages in the event the terms of this contract are breached including return of the animal. I agree to pay
court costs in the event this matter is forwarded to court for enforcement.
If not already spayed or neutered I will have the animal being adopted spayed or neutered when the animal
reaches six months of age. If over six months of age will have the animal being adopted spayed or neutered
within 30 days of adoption. I will under no circumstances breed, or mate this adopted animal.
We do not guarantee the health of any animals offered for adoption. Any time you adopt an animal, you should take it to a licensed veterinarian as soon as possible. Your animal is, to the best of our knowledge, healthy, but will need to be started immediately on a program of preventative veterinary care. Please be aware that the animals available for adoption are rescue animals and, as such, have often been exposed to a variety of diseases. Like human illnesses, these disorders can have an incubation period of up to several weeks. If the animal you adopt shows signs of illness at any point, you must take it promptly to your veterinarian for treatment at your expense.
I understand and agree to the following terms of this contract and understand that non- compliance with the
terms of this agreement gives the adopting agent the right to reclaim this animal without refund of adoption fee.
I will provide the animal with all necessary medical care if it becomes sick or injured.
I will take the animal to a veterinarian for routine exams and vaccinations, and should any behavioral problems
arise with this animal, I will work with the animal and/or a veterinarian/behaviorist to resolve the issue.
I will provide proper and sufficient food, water, shelter and humane treatment at all times.
I The animal will live indoors only. I am aware that cats/dogs that live outdoors some or all of the time have significantly shorter life expectancies and face many more health risks than cats kept indoor at all times.
Cats will also under no circumstances be declawed.
I hereafter referred to as Adopter, hereby agree that the above-described animal is being adopted by me solely
as a pet for myself and/or my immediate family. I agree that I will not sell, give away or otherwise dispose of
said animal to any person, or institute for any reason. If at a later date I am unable or unwilling to keep this pet,
I agree to first contact To the Rescue, Inc. at 571-206-8704 or totherescue@petlover.com and give them first
option to reclaim pet at no charge.
To the Rescue Inc. reserves the right to examine and check on the welfare of the above described animal at any
time either by phone or in person. If we are not satisfied with the condition of the dog/cat or the conditions in
which it is kept, that dog/cat can or may be removed immediately and placed in a different home. Any veterinary services due to negligence or lack of care will be the adopter’s responsibility. I will at no time assert any claim, charge, or demand of any kind or nature. I agree to pay To the Rescue, Inc. the sum of $1500 as liquidated
damages in the event the terms of this contract are breached including return of the animal. I agree to pay
court costs in the event this matter is forwarded to court for enforcement.
If not already spayed or neutered I will have the animal being adopted spayed or neutered when the animal
reaches six months of age. If over six months of age will have the animal being adopted spayed or neutered
within 30 days of adoption. I will under no circumstances breed, or mate this adopted animal.
We do not guarantee the health of any animals offered for adoption. Any time you adopt an animal, you should take it to a licensed veterinarian as soon as possible. Your animal is, to the best of our knowledge, healthy, but will need to be started immediately on a program of preventative veterinary care. Please be aware that the animals available for adoption are rescue animals and, as such, have often been exposed to a variety of diseases. Like human illnesses, these disorders can have an incubation period of up to several weeks. If the animal you adopt shows signs of illness at any point, you must take it promptly to your veterinarian for treatment at your expense.
I understand and agree to the following terms of this contract and understand that non- compliance with the
terms of this agreement gives the adopting agent the right to reclaim this animal without refund of adoption fee.