Petite Paws Rescue - Indianapolis, IN - dogs rescue in Westfield, IN

Rescue FAQs

All of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Kentucky.

Additional adoption info

Adopting a Friend:

Please read this thoroughly BEFORE applying to adopt.

Please review our list of foster dogs and note the dog(s) for whom you're applying on your application. Please read their profiles carefully to ensure that you meet the qualifications to adopt that particular dog.

Please note that we are not accepting applications for any dog listed as ‘processing application’ or ‘pending adoption’. If for some reason that dog’s adoption does not go through, the dog will be re-listed without the Processing/Pending status. Unless otherwise noted in their profile, all of our foster dogs require a fenced yard. Our foster dogs are housed in foster homes, we do not have a shelter facility.

ADOPTION DONATIONS:

Please keep in mind that all donations provide IPPRA with the funds needed for vetting and foster care for ALL our rescues. Adoption donations run between $150 - $500, and are dependent on the health, age and breed of the dog. Our adoption donations are non-negotiable. IPPRA encourages senior citizens to consider adopting a senior dog. We consider a toy dog a senior at age 10 and up! We will offer a discounted adoption donation to anyone over the age of 60 that wants to adopt one of our senior kids.

The adoption donation is a way to subsidize costs of caring for the numerous dogs we take in. In most cases, our adoption donations do not even cover the costs of the care we provide for our fosters. We do NOT make any profit whatsoever, we are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all-volunteer organization. We rely solely on donations and unpaid volunteers to survive.

CHOOSING HOMES:

All adoption applications will be thoroughly reviewed. If you have current or recently deceased pets we will contact your vet. If you rent, we will contact your landlord. We will contact your personal references. We will conduct a home visit.

All of your present pets must be altered (spayed/neutered), up to date on shots and on heartworm prevention. Homes with toy dog experience will be given first preference. Unless otherwise noted in the dog's profile, all of our foster dogs require a fenced yard. We do NOT adopt into homes with underground/electrical/invisible fencing.

AGE OF DOGS:

A large percentage of our foster dogs are strays from shelters or puppy mills. We will never know the true age for these dogs. The ages listed in these circumstances reflects the age that our licensed Veterinarians estimate the dog's ages to be based on their best professional and experienced knowledge. We cannot be held responsible if two or more different Vets have two or more different opinions.

CHILDREN:

Due to the dog's size, personality and because of legal liabilities, we do not adopt our fosters to homes with children under 8 years old. Unless you have a strong background with the breed, we are very cautious when adopting to a home with children. Each application will be reviewed on case by case basis.

TRANSPORTS:

IPPRA DOES NOT SHIP ITS DOGS. Please be advised that we do not transport. You will be responsible for coming to pick up the dog on adoption day. Preference is given to local applicants. The general location of each foster dog is listed in its profile. Our special needs dogs (puppy mill rescues, seniors, medical issues, emotional issues) must be adopted close to their foster homes.

REMEMBER:

Rescued animals are by no means perfect or show quality. They are usually from Puppy Mills, bad breeding, unwanted, abandoned, sick or old. Almost never will we get in a small young female. Rarely do we have a lot of background on our rescues.

Before you make your final decision to adopt, we would like to tell you a little bit about what it’s like to live with a rescue. Our rescues come from many places - primarily strays, owner surrenders, kill shelters and puppy mills. Remember, having the privilege of taking a pet into your life is a “Lifetime Commitment” and it will indeed change your life as you now know it.

Some of these dogs have many issues due to past abuse, neglect or medical needs. Many are not housebroken. They will pee and poo in your home on your carpet, your furniture, your bed. They can be hard to potty train. Some are NEVER truly trained. We highly recommend the use of potty pants and belly bands. They may not be leash trained. They may not know how to play. It may be very frustrating trying to deal with some of their issues, such as fear biting, poop eating, fear aggression, barking and separation anxiety to name a few. Sometimes they can be afraid of a particular gender of human, loud noises, sudden moves, a touch of a hand. Some can never be placed in a home with children or other pets. Some may require Vet care and/or medication for the rest of their lives. It may take a very long time to gain their trust, maybe even not at all. They may favor one family member over another. They may not want anyone near that protector and become aggressive toward others in the family or visitors. Please make sure your entire family is in 100% agreement with bringing another dog into your home and that they all also understand the many problems that can occur.

With time, love and patience a rescue dog will become a valued member of your family and will return your love many times over.

If, after reading all of this, you feel certain that you have the time, patience, funds and love to adopt one of our foster dogs, the first step in the Adoption Process is to complete an Application to Adopt. If you wish to be considered for adoption, please complete this application in its entirety. Since our objective is to find the best forever home for each of our foster pups, reference checks, veterinary checks and home visits are done on all prospective adoptive homes.

A $20 application deposit must be submitted after we have finished your vet check and you have spoken to the Foster Mom. Directions on how to submit the deposit will be sent to you at the appropriate time. There will be no exceptions. Your $20 application deposit will be subtracted from the adoption donation should you be chosen to be the dog’s forever home. The application deposit is non-refundable.

Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Please fill out our adoption application online.