Why choose adoption?
1.5 million reasons why. That is the number of adoptable dogs and cats who are still euthanized each year in the United States simply because too few people spay and neuter, too many pets come into shelters and too few people choose to adopt. This number could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them. When you choose adoption, you save your adopted pet and open up space for another animal who might need it. Two lives saved by your choice to adopt! It really does have an impact! How many people in your sphere of influence will then choose adoption because of your example? The ripple effect from your decision will save many lives!
The SCDR Difference:
When you choose to adopt through South Charlotte Dog Rescue you can be assured that our goal is to work with you to find the right dog to fit your family and lifestyle. We are committed to the animals in our care and will choose the best possible applicant for each dog based on their personality and needs. SCDR is an adoption agency for animals in need but we also are a placement agency in that we are looking for the best fit for each dog. We are seeking adopters who will provide our pups the best chance at a long and happy life in one home. We never want our animals to wind up back in a shelter or otherwise abandoned which is why it is our policy to always take back our dogs if the need arises. It doesn’t matter if it’s been 2 weeks or 2 years they are always welcome!
How do I adopt a pet?
First take a LOOK at all the wonderful pups we have available for adoption! Consider the age, temperament and personality that will best fit your family and lifestyle as well as the amount of time you have in the day to spend with your new pup. Then submit your application HERE.
Adoption Requirements:
Applicant must be 25 years of age at time of adoption. All other animals in the home, past and present, must be spayed or neutered, up to date on vaccinations, monthly heartworm prevention and flea/tick prevention. SCDR does NOT require a fence for every adoption. We DO require a fence on a case by case basis depending on a dog’s particular personality and needs.
Adoption Process:
Once your application has been submitted our adoption counselors will send you an email confirmation within 24 hours. Application review can take anywhere from 2 days to 1 week depending on the season and volume of applications being submitted. Once your application has been processed a counselor will discuss with you the type of personality that will best fit your family and lifestyle and schedule a home visit. In the interim we greatly encourage you to attend our local adoption events to meet the pups in person and introduce yourself to the team! Once the home visit has been completed and approved, an adoption day will be scheduled.
SCDR is 100% volunteer driven and our volunteers are working hard every day to communicate as quickly as possible. Often times putting in 60+ hours per week in their efforts to stay on top of the volume of applications. We appreciate your patience & understanding as we seek the best homes for the dogs in our care. Don’t be afraid to follow up with us! Website glitches do occur so if you haven’t heard from us please send us an email to make sure we received your application.
A few things you can do to help us speed up the process:
– Add SCDRApps@gmail.com to your approved email list or keep an eye on your spam folder just in case our email response gets stuck in there.
– Make sure your personal references are friends, coworkers, dog sitters etc. (not family members!) and let them know to expect a call from an SCDR adoption counselor.
– It is important, if you’ve had an animal within the last 5 years, that your vet reference is listed! Notify your vet’s office that you are in the process of adopting a new pet so they have your approval to provide a reference.
Adoption fee:
The adoption fee for SCDR pups is $350. This includes:
– All age appropriate shots (DHLPP, Bordatella, Rabies) up to the date of adoption (puppies must have minimally 2 rounds of puppy shots prior to adoption)
– De-worming
– Spay or neuter surgery at minimally 5 months of age
– Removal of rear dew claws when under anesthesia for spay/neuter
– Repair of inguinal hernias when under anesthesia for spay/neuter
– Heartworm prevention or when necessary heartworm treatment for heartworm positive dogs
– Flea/tick prevention
– Microchip & subscription
– All other medically appropriate treatments that are required during their time in foster care
Does $295 cover all of those things? No, of course not. This is why our fundraisers and donors are so important! They help us bridge the gap between the adoption fee and the real cost of providing the level of care that we pride ourselves on here at SCDR. We are committed to providing the highest level of veterinary care as well as quality food and treats for our pups to give them the best start to a long and healthy life!
Senior dog adoption fees are determined based on health, length of time in rescue and age.
How to avoid picking the wrong pet:
Our adoption counselors will partner with you to ensure we are placing the right dog into your home and family. Things you can do to help us help you are:
– Talk to the adoption counselor about your daily & weekly schedule
– Don’t get your heart set on a specific breed, type of dog or “look” that seems like the best match for your home, without taking into consideration the often WIDE variation in physical and personality characteristics of individual pets. Make sure to spend time and get to know the actual pet you are thinking of adopting as much as possible, before deciding they are the right pet for you.
– Don’t adopt a dog without doing some self-reflection, planning and research first. How much time do you have in your life right now to bring in a new pet that may require training? Are you financially ready if your new pet is injured, or gets sick?
– Don’t make an impulse decision on-site. It can be overwhelming when there are so many adorable furry faces begging you with their sad yes to “pick me pick me”! If you get emotional in a rescue setting, take a more objective family member or friend along to make sure you are making as good and rational choice of a match for your lifestyle and pet experience. Our adoption counselors are ready and willing to help you make the best decision for your family.
– Don’t let your kids sway you to pick an inappropriate dog. While involving your children in the pet adoption selection and adoption process is a wonderful way to teach them about responsible pet ownership and many other important life lessons, you as the adult need to make sure the pet you adopt is a good selection.
