Thank you for considering adoption!
Adopting a dog is a very rewarding experience. We could never save our amazing rescue dogs without wonderful people who choose to adopt. As rewarding as it is – a successful adoption involves planning and time. A new dog needs a patient and willing adopter who can assist the dog in adjusting to a new home and routines.
We are based in Toronto, Ontario. A home visit is an important part of our adoption process. If you live outside of the Greater Toronto Area, and we are not able to find a volunteer who can visit your home we may not be able to accept your application. If that is the case, please consider contacting a rescue or shelter in your area to save a dog.
We do not have a shelter to visit. Our dogs are in volunteer foster homes in the Toronto area. We like to learn a bit about our potential adopters prior to a meeting with the dog. Our adoption process is set up to ensure that our dogs go to their forever home. Please submit the online application at the bottom of this page if you are interested in adopting one of our dogs. If you prefer to first speak with a volunteer please email or give us a call.
We will contact you by phone once we get your application. We do our best to follow up within a couple of days – please be patient. During the telephone interview we will answer your questions and go over your application.
The next steps in the process sometimes vary depending on your location and schedule. One of our volunteers will schedule a time to come and do a home visit or we may decide to do a virtual home visit. We ask that everyone living in the home is at this meeting. We will also arrange a time for you to meet the dog. This usually happens after the home visit. Again we ask that all members of the family are at the meeting with the dog. If you have a dog we will be sure to have the dogs meet as well. It is sometimes best if the adopters meet the dog a couple of times prior to the adoption.
If the above steps go well we will make arrangements for the adoption. There is an adoption contract and an adoption fee. We love to hear how the dogs are doing after the adoption. Please keep in touch and send us pictures and stories we can share with others. Educating others about rescue can help save dogs lives.
Be certain that no one in the family has allergies to dogs. Spend time with friends or family members that have dogs to make sure you can tolerate the dog hair and dander. Hypoallergenic means “below normal” allergenic.
It does NOT mean that no allergic reaction will occur. Although it is less likely, many people may still experience allergies with a “hypoallergenic” dog breed.
By law you are allowed to own a dog if you are renting, however, it is always best to get permission from your landlord prior to starting the adoption process. If you live in a condo, you must check the by-laws for your condo, as they can have different rules, such as limitations to size - and some do not allow dogs at all.
Dogs can be very expensive especially if they develop an illness or have a serious injury. Call some vet clinics and check their costs. You may want to consider pet insurance – check policies as they differ.
Do you have a plan in place if you are required to pay a large vet bill? Can you afford regular grooming? If you travel who will babysit your dog? Can you afford a Doggie Daycare or dog sitter? Can you afford a good quality dog food and safe and healthy treats for your dog?
Dogs need exercise – even old dogs need daily walks. Are you ready to change your schedule to fit in the time needed to care properly for your dog? You must be prepared to get up early enough to walk your dog before leaving the house. If you work long hours and your dog is going to be alone you may want to look into the cost of a dog walker or doggie daycare. Dogs cannot be left alone for long hours every day.