Additional adoption info
At Paws For Hope, Inc., our dogs' needs are put above all else.
The best possible match always takes precedence over who came first. Please do not take it personally if another family is chosen for a specific dog. We foster our dogs in private homes and at our training facility for anywhere from three to four weeks (or more) in order to get to know them and their needs. Our decisions are based on that knowledge and the history of the dog, along with the circumstances and/or schedules of the adopter. Some dogs require less alone time than others. Still some are in need of more schooling. Others may be best suited with or without other pets or children.
There are many factors involved in the decision-making process and one’s ability to love and nurture a dog is not the only criteria.
We make every effort to learn as much as we can about the temperament, health, training level, behavioral issues, special needs, and history of each dog. Each dog is hands-on evaluated prior to placement and introductions to other pets and family members in the household are conducted before approval to adopt.
All of our adoptions require that the dog live indoors as a member of the family. NO EXCEPTIONS!
A safe, secure, yard (we prefer fenced-in yards but it is not mandatory) and clean indoor sleeping area is required.
All adoptions require vet and personal reference checks PRIOR to being shown any available dogs, followed by a home visit.
Tethering as a means of containment or transport in the open bed of a pick-up truck is in violation of the terms of our adoption contract and can result in repossession.
Some, not all, contracts require that, after an initial acclimation period, you and your dog complete an approved obedience class.
We rarely place 2 female German Shepherds into the same household. One German Shepherd with some other large breed dogs of the same gender can also be problematic. YES, it can work; however, it is the exception rather than the rule. We would be happy to elaborate when we speak. When looking into a third dog, we ask that you consider the impact that adding a third dog will have on the dynamic of your existing pack, as well as whether or not you really have the time to give each dog the individual attention they need. We require that any and all dogs already in residence be spayed or neutered.
We also discourage adoptions to families with small dogs and other small mammals for obvious safety reasons. Not all of our rescued dogs have been exposed to small animals while in foster care or with their previous owners. While initial meetings could go well, this does not guarantee compatibility after they have shared a residence for a period of time. There always exists an element of risk with German Shepherd Dogs living with much smaller, particularly very active mammals.
All rescue dogs are required to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped prior to placement.
Renters are required to provide written proof from the owner of the property stating that you have permission to have a German Shepherd or other large breed on their property. (Feel free to use our “Landlord Permission Agreement” form).
Minimum age for adopters is 21 years.
We ask that you seriously consider the dog's needs and be realistic as to how well you are able to fulfill them. Please give thought to any physical challenges, as well as your ability to accommodate the dog's need for exercise, training and socialization. What might have worked very well in the past may not be quite the same now.
We are available to address questions, problems or concerns for the life of the dog; however, we are not responsible for any bills (veterinary or otherwise) which occur after the dog has been adopted.
Please don't come to the rescue in the hopes of getting a "perfectly trained" dog or getting a "bargain" or indeed of "getting" anything. Come to the rescue to give, to love, to save a life and to mend your own spirit. For a rescue dog will reward you in ways you never thought possible.
Rescued dogs run the gamut from previously neglectful or even abusive situations, untrained and unsocialized, sick or just plain having lacked proper veterinary care, to trained, well cared for dogs merely victims of circumstances or life's changes such as divorce, illness, death or financial difficulties.
Some were back-yard bred and others papered from titled parents. Some have been thrown outside or isolated and are depressed, anxious or just uncertain. This is why we "live" with our dogs for a period of time prior to re-homing. We get to know them, we learn into what type of home they would best fit and we work with any issues that might have resulted from having had indifferent or uneducated owners. We know that they're ALL living beings, with a spirit, heart and feelings and they deserve as much love, care and respect as the next Westminster champion.
Why is your criteria so specific; I thought I was doing you and the dog a favor by adopting?
While we feel that adoption is the only way to go and the partial solution to the overwhelming problem of over-population, we also want a good fit between dog and owner. The success of our policies are reflected in our return rate which is a remarkable less than 1%!!! By taking the time to match a dog's temperament, energy, drive levels and needs with a potential adopter's household we further ensure that the dog will spend the rest of its' life where we place it. Asking questions and establishing parameters are known to equate with success. We know why these dogs are in a rescue situation and make every effort not to duplicate the mistakes previously made, usually at the dog's expense. We also know that statistically, well over 50% of all adopted animals are no longer in that adoptive home after the first year.
ABOUT ADOPTION FEES: A common question among dog adopters is, "Why are adoption fees so high? Shouldn’t adopting a dog be free, or at least super cheap?" To these people I say, remember, you get what you pay for. When you purchase a purebred from a dog breeder you may be paying anywhere from $500 to over $1,000 for your new puppy, but often that’s all you're getting for that cost. When you adopt a dog from a shelter or a rescue, your adoption fees are going to pay towards the cost of care your adopted dog has received while at the shelter or in the rescue. Here is a breakdown of what our rescue, Paws For Hope, Inc. has already put into your dog before you even adopt.
Spay & Neuter: The average cost for veterinary care varies greatly depending on your geographical location (city vs. country), the size of the dog requiring care, as well as the dog's overall picture of health and how it influences the complexity of treatments. That said, the average dog spay or neuter can range anywhere from $100-$200 for a dog rescue. However, this doesn’t include the cost of pain relief medication that we pay/provide for, which is another $10-$30 dollars (varying because of the size of the dog). If you were to get your adopted dog spayed or neutered on your own it could cost you anywhere from $200-$500 plus, depending on the said variables.
Shots: Vaccines cannot be given without a physical examination, the cost for our rescue is $43.35. The cost of intake vaccinations for dogs to prevent Distemper, Parvo, Kennel Cough, and rabies usually cost approximately $50 for our rescue — if not more. If you were to pay for these vaccinations yourself you could be paying anywhere from $40-$150 dollars.
Microchip: The cost for our rescue to microchip a dog is typically $12, if you were to get your adopted dog microchipped on your own typically you would pay anywhere from $35-$55.
Parasite Treatments and Preventatives: Monthly flea tick and ear mite treatments as well as heartworm preventives for dogs are another monthly cost for our rescue. De-wormer medications are often given preventatively as oppose to waiting to see evidence of worms. These treatments can cost approximately $10-$30 assuming that no labs are needed. Lyme Disease, Ehrlichia, Anaplasmosis andHeartworm tests are also another cost the rescue will incur to ensure that your dog is in good health, these tests cost $55. If a dog tests positive for Lyme Disease, Ehrlichia and Anaplasmosis treatment can cost anywhere from $40-$160 depending on the size of the dog. However, if a dog needs to be treated for heartworms the treatment our rescue uses will typically cost $85, Gentle Kill Treatment, versus a vet charging on average of at least $1,000 out of your own pocket.
Our adoption donation fee of $385 is set taking into account the dog's age, training level, temperament, medical condition(s) if any, and all the other factors listed above. Some dogs require that hundreds, even thousands of dollars and many weeks or months be spent before they are ready for adoption, others do not. Adoption fees are used, not only to rescue and place the dog you are personally adopting, but to aid in the future rescue and rehabilitation of other deserving dogs. Please do realize that most adoption fees will not even cover each dog's individual expenses. Also note that sometimes we even have to pay adoption fees to rescue a dog! All adoption fees are a tax deductible donation.
Rescue is an expensive undertaking, both financially and emotionally; we are motivated strictly by our passion and concern for our rescued dogs!.
We are volunteers. We volunteer our time...countless hours every day...knowledge and experience. We are by no means wealthy. We do not make a profit and seldom even break even.
No staff member of Paws For Hope, Inc. is compensated in any way.
Paws For Hope, Inc. is a non-profit charity which relies solely on donations.
