My name is
Buddy Bear!

Step 1: The Application

Each prospective adopter fills out an adoption application. The adoption application is a simple form that asks information about you and why you are looking to adopt. Essentially, this application gives us necessary information about you and your lifestyle, training beliefs and background with animals. We strive to find the best homes possible for our dogs, as well as find the right dog for you and your lifestyle.

Once we receive the application, it is processed in the order that it was received. Our volunteers will contact your personal references, veterinary reference and landlord where applicable, and ask to discuss your interest in adoption and past experiences as a pet owner.

It is helpful if you contact your references so that they can anticipate our calls.

Keep in mind, that depending on the timing of your application, the dog you are interested in can already have multiple applications for adoption. However, rest assured that there are many dogs that need forever homes, and OPH will work with you to find you a dog that closely matches what you are looking for.

Step 2: The Meeting

Once your application is approved, you will be contacted by an OPH Adoption Coordinator to schedule a “meet and greet” with the dog you are interested in. We prefer that everyone in the immediate family, including your current dog (if you have one) come to the appointment to meet your potential new family member. Adopting a dog is a big decision and requires a commitment from everyone. If you currently own a dog, it must be up to date on its shots and spayed/neutered.

Sometimes we will also conduct a home check, which is at our discretion.

At the meet and greet, the foster will be able to provide you with a wealth of personality information about the dog you are interested in. Also, this is a great opportunity for you to really assess if this is the dog for you. You will be able to interact with the dog to ensure that he/she is exactly what you want.

Step 3: The Adoption

Before you bring your new family member home, you must sign an Adoption Contract with OPH. In addition, the adoption fee is requested. Please refer to the “What the Adoption Fee Covers” link for detailed information on the fees. The adoption fee is non-refundable.

Please remember that adoption fees barely cover our expenses of rescuing a dog. Additional donations are greatly appreciated and will help us continue our life-saving work.

If, at the time of adoption, your dog was not already spayed/neutered, you will be required to agree to spay/neuter your dog and provide us a deposit fee. Our adoption contract requires all dogs to be spayed/neutered within 1 month of adoption or when age appropriate. Once this has been verified, your deposit check will be returned to you.

Step 4: Post Adoption Follow Up

Our goal is to help you enjoy life with your new dog to the fullest extent possible. If issues arise, or you just need some good advice, we are happy to do follow-up counseling by telephone and email. We can also suggest dog trainers in the area as additional resources. Also, at the time of adoption, you are provided with a pamphlet full of information and links to online resources to help with behavioral related issues like potty training and house training. This information can also be accessed from the “Information” tab on the OPH home page.

IF ANYTHING PREVENTS YOU FROM KEEPING YOUR DOG

Sometimes situations arise which cannot be helped. If, for any reason, you are unable to keep a dog you’ve adopted from Operation Paws for Homes, the dog cannot be given away.

It doesn’t matter how much time has passed since the adoption. You must either return the dog to Operations Paws for Homes, or obtain approval from Operations Paws for Homes to transfer ownership to a friend or relative.

Please fill out an adoption application at: www.ophrescue.org

We are an all volunteer organization. All proceeds go toward saving more dogs.

We hold adoption events at local pet stores throughout Southern Pennsylvania.

Please visit our www.ophrescue.org website and click on the Events tab for additional information.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Visit our website at - www.ophrescue.org/events

MEET AND GREETS

We primarily rely on meet & greets for potential adopters. Approved adopters may meet adoptable animals at the home of the animal's foster, or possibly in the adopter's own home.

Operation Paws for Homes, Inc. rescues dogs of all breeds and ages from high-kill shelters reducing the numbers being euthanized daily. We provide foster homes where they can get the love and attention needed before finding their forever homes. Our organization provides pet adoption services in Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, and parts of Southern Pennsylvania. Operation Paws for Homes, a 501(c)(3) organization, is 100% donor funded and could not save these dogs and fulfill their dreams of being united with their forever families, without the dedication of our incredible adopters, fosters, donors and volunteers. Sadly, without our help, all of these adoptable animals would face almost certain euthanasia - usually within days or hours of arriving at the shelter. Each year we take in hundreds of wonderful animals who were left at shelters by no fault of their own.