- 1. Submit Application
- 2. Approve Application
- 3. Home Check
- 4. Sign Adoption Contract
- 5. Pay Fee
- 6. Take the Pet Home
Additional adoption info
You must read our Frequently Asked Questions below and complete our application before contacting us. Due to the volume of inquiries we receive and the fact that we have no paid staff, we are not able to get back to those who do not follow these instructions. Thank you for understanding.
FAQ
*Is -insert pet name- available?
We have gotten this question in regards to animals listed as “adoptable,” animals listed as “adopted,” and animals that we have never heard of (likely another animal on search results that was mistaken as being one of ours). If the animal is listed as adoptable on Adopt-a-Pet, they are indeed available. We keep the Adopt-a-Pet webpage up to date.
However, by asking this question, many people miss their opportunity to even apply for the pet. While you await the answer, someone who followed the correct steps and applied will be reviewed, approved, and offered an opportunity to meet him/her.
*What is your phone number?
We do not communicate by phone with potential adopters until the application process has begun. This rescue has no staff. You are only working with volunteers who have day jobs, families, personal lives, and animals (their own as well as fosters) to take care of every single day. Email is a wonderful invention because it allows us to communicate with people at any odd hour we might have available…typically, that is at night after we have exhausted ourselves with other duties. Post adoption, we welcome phone inquiries, but please be aware that responses by phone will be extremely lagging in comparison to email.
*Do you consider out of state adopters?
Yes. Please submit an application for the animal and include any supplementary information you would like about yourself and the home you would provide in the same initial email. The more you are able to paint a picture for us, the better, as it is always difficult to send our beloved family members a great distance away.
*Why is your adoption fee so high?
Our fees are fair and reflect the spirit of rescue. If a rescue group takes in a healthy pet that costs a minimal amount to make ready for adoption (neutering/spaying, grooming, vaccinations, microchip, monthly preventatives), the “profit” from that animal is applied to the vetting costs of the many others who are not as fortunate.
We work with traumatized animals, treat illnesses and injuries—providing care that the original owners either refused to provide or could not afford. Rescuers do whatever is necessary and it can often take several months to return the animal to good health, physically and/or mentally. It is not unusual for the costs of this care to run from $450-$1000 per dog.
If you have a problem with the cost to adopt from us, please go to your local shelter. The pets at the shelter likely need your help much more than our pets do and are at risk of euthanasia. They have a lower adoption fee because the facilities are funded by the government and they often, at least in Tennessee, provide no veterinary care to the animals. There are thousands of other private rescues with low fees who desperately need good people to adopt their animals.
*Can I have a discount?
No.
*I sent in my application. How long will it take for you to get back to me? I need to know because I applied with other rescues as well.
We have been told by many that we are the fastest responders they have ever worked with in pet adoption. If a completed application is received, it is usually acknowledged within 48 hours. Depending on the number of applications for the pet in question, it can take up to 7 business days to receive a letter of approval.
We only have one volunteer that maintains the email account on a regular basis and said individual also has a full time job, personal life, and other duties in the rescue to keep up with. If you do not hear back within the aforementioned time frames, it is likely that 1) you did not fill out the application completely, 2) your application was not received, 3) your email address does not accept emails from us, or 4) it is an unusually hectic time and we need further prompting in order to get back to you. If you think any of those possibilities apply to you after a business week has passed, please feel free to write again and express your concerns.
*Was your letter of approval exclusively sent to me?
No, the letter of approval can be sent to any number of people for a particular pet. There are often multiple excellent potential homes for an animal and there is no need to choose only one to approve. Often this means that the animal goes to his/her new home faster and space is made available for those in need sooner.
If approved, you will be written and given the opportunity to make an appointment to meet your potential new family member. Sometimes appointments are cancelled, the appointment does not turn out to be a successful adoption, etc. The first ones to follow through with the visit and appear to be a good match will have the opportunity to follow through with adoption.
*Do you offer holds?
No.
*Why was I rejected?
If you know in your heart that you are an honest, good potential home for a pet and were not chosen, just know that we likely agree and meant the rejection as no slight against you. There are often too many good homes after one particular pet. No matter how it’s approached, there will be some disappointed but deserving people.
Adoption application
https://form.jotform.com/200117215258142
