ADOPTION
Adopting From Us
At All Breed Rescue, we care deeply for our dogs and our adopters. We strive to make the adoption process as straightforward as possible. We take special care to match the right dog with the right adopter to ensure that the entire family can enjoy a lifetime of love and fun. Our adoption process is designed to help ensure that you bring home a dog that fits your lifestyle and that our rescue dogs are placed in safe, stable homes where their needs will be met.
Below is an outline of our adoption process from start to finish. While it may seem like a lot, don’t worry – we’re here to support you every step of the way!
Step One
Complete An Adoption Application
The first step is to fill out an adoption application on our website. You must be 21 to submit an adoption application. The application tells us a little bit about you, your lifestyle, and experience with pets so we can help find the right pup for you. It is also intended to get you thinking about what type of dog might be the best fit for you. Applications stay on file for 1 year, so it’s a good idea to submit one at the beginning of your search so your application is approved once you fall in love with a dog. Once you have completed an adoption application, you are welcome to visit the adoptable pups at our shelter – you do not need to wait until your application is approved (see Step 4).
Step Two
We'll Review Your Application
Our staff work hard to review all applications as quickly as possible after they are received. You can help expedite the process by making sure that your application is complete and having your references contact us directly (via phone or email). Some actions we take when reviewing applications include:
Landlord approval, veterinary references, and two personal references.
Most applications are processed within 1-3 days, but it may take longer if we have a high volume of applications. We will update you on the status of your application via email. Please add allbreedvt@allbreedrescuevt.com to your contacts so the messages don’t end up in your spam folder!
The biggest inhibitor we have found to completing the approval process is lack of personal, landlord or veterinary references. Please help us by following up with yours to ensure we can make the application decision in a timely manner.
We require an in person meet and greet with our dogs PRIOR to approving any applications!
Step Three
Dog Viewing!
Once you’ve submitted an adoption application, you’re welcome to come visit our available dogs at our shelter in Williston! Most of our dogs are housed at our shelter in Williston. Some reside in foster homes nearby, so feel free to give us a call if there is anyone in particular you want to meet.
New dogs and puppies are posted on our Facebook page a few days prior to their scheduled arrival.
A NOTE ABOUT DOG BREEDS
Our database and standard shelter practice requires that we label each dog as a particular breed or breeds. For the majority of shelter dogs, that breed label is a guess based on appearance. We encourage all adopters to base their decision on the individual dog’s temperament and fit for their lifestyle rather than on breed label.
Once you have met the dog that you want to bring home, you will have the option of adopting them that day or placing a deposit on the dog. We will hold the dog for up to 3 days with a $150 deposit, allowing time for your application to be processed or for you to puppy-proof your home and pick up supplies. The deposit is non-refundable. If you do place a deposit on a dog but then decide not to adopt them, the deposit will be held on file for one year and can be applied to any dog in our program during that time. The $150 deposit is applied to the total adoption fee at the time of adoption.
Step Four
Meet & Greet
If you currently own a dog, we require a meet and greet to occur between your dog and the dog you’d like to adopt from us. This is to ensure that all dogs get along and are able to share a home together. Please feel free to bring your dog to our facility upon meeting with one of our dogs! Our staff will assist in the introduction whether that be in one of our meet and greet rooms, outside on-leash, or in one of our outdoor fenced-in play yards.
Step FIVE
Finalizing The Adoption
Once your application is approved and you’ve met the perfect pup, we’ll complete all the paperwork to make it official. We will review the dog’s medical history with you, highlight if your dog has any specific necessities, and complete an adoption agreement that transfers ownership of the dog to you. We provide some basic information about dog care, socialization and training. We’re always happy to answer any questions you have at any time before or after the adoption!
Step Six
VET Visit
We strongly recommend that all adopters bring their new pups to the vet as soon as possible. All of our dogs are seen by a veterinarian before arriving at our shelter, are up-to-date on their core vaccinations and given standard preventative care, however, it is a great idea to establish a relationship with a vet (especially if you’re a new dog owner), introduce your dog to them, and discuss your plan for care and any additional vaccinations that might be appropriate for your pup.
All of our dogs, including young puppies, are spayed and neutered prior to arrival at our shelter. *In the few instances where age or health prevented alteration, adopters are required to spay or neuter their dogs as soon as their veterinarian advises that it is safe and appropriate to do so. We will follow up to remind you, and will provide a $75 refund upon confirmation from the vet or receipt of an invoice showing that the dog has been altered.*
We pride ourselves on the level of care given to our dogs and make every effort to ensure that they are healthy before going home with their new families. The nature of rescue and working with live animals is such that we cannot make a 100% guarantee about the health or behavior of any animal. Please be aware that All Breed Rescue is not responsible for any unexpected veterinary expenses after the time of adoption.
Post Adoption
We want to make sure that all of our adopters and our dogs are comfortable together. If you have any questions after bringing your new pup home, we encourage you to reach out so that we can help or point you toward professionals who may be able to give you the best possible information.