For Those Who Speak Another Language
Everything you need to know about adopting a dog from us you'll find below but should you still have questions, please reach out. We're here to help make your adoption experience a great one.
Before you continue on and read through our requirements and adoption process, take a few minutes to read this informative piece from BetterPet.com on the cost of dog ownership - starting out as an informed pet owner is definitely the way go.
https://betterpet.com/dog-ownership-costs/?fbclid=IwAR0YMeMZlNa1R0hgZ5yUB4l4U2hAlvuvUE8iXr61iR9da-iGU1DKVtjKwG4
Adoption
Requirements
- You must be at least 21 years old to adopt
- The entire household must be in agreement about adopting the dog you choose
- You may not adopt for someone else or for a gift
- The dog must be kept as a house dog, not to be left outdoors for extended periods of time (in yard, tethered, or left in kennel)
- You must comply with our Fencing Policy
- All resident pets MUST be up to date on vaccinations and spayed or neutered
- We encourage that all dogs under 3 years old attend training sessions, either private or group
- We limit our adoptions to suitable adopters that reside within a 100 mile radius of our facility
Adoption
Process
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Read our Fencing Policy
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Complete an adoption application (Submitting an application does not reserve your spot for the dog. You must meet the dog before being considered an applicant.)
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Application & references are reviewed
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Dogs are shown by appointment only; we will connect with you to make this appointment
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A home visit is then scheduled
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And finally, if everything works out, a pick-up time will be set for you to bring your new canine companion home
We cannot guarantee a time-frame for completion of the full process - each application has its own considerations and if there are multiple applications for the same animal, the process is obviously lengthened. Exit veterinary visits can sometimes take a few days depending on their availability. You must also take into consideration that we are an animal "rescue" facility and emergencies often arise which take precedence over everything. We will do our best, however, to move things along in as timely a manner as we possibly can.
If You Rent
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If you live in an apartment, town home, condo or rent a single family home, proof of permission from your landlord or association to house a dog is required. We will not move forward with an adoption application until we have this authorization in-hand. Please be sure your authorization form contains your property owner's name and phone number as we will call to validate.
Adoption Fee Incudes:
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Six months & older - dog is spayed/neutered*
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Treatment for external & internal parasites
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Heartworm test
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Microchip
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Age appropriate vaccinations
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Exit exam and health certificate by our veterinarian prior to release from GGOH
Seniors (9 years and older) - $200
Adults (12 month and older) - $325
Puppies (under 12 months) - $500
Note: the higher cost for puppies relates directly to the amount of care and frequency of vaccinations which they require.
*We spay/neuter all animals prior to their release with the exception of those deemed too young or those who are under weight or physically unable to undergo the procedure at the time of adoption; in those instances the adoptive party will be responsible for arranging the altering when the appropriate time presents itself. We will provide a contract, which you must sign, stating that you agree to have the animal altered as soon as medically possible. It is the responsibility of the adoptive party to fund the spay/neuter.
Fencing Policy
We ask that you please read our fencing policy prior to filling out an adoption application. Our policy remains firm as we believe it is in our dogs' best interest to have these guidelines in place.
Gregory's Gift of Hope currently requires adoptive homes to have suitable outdoor containment in place before an adoption is granted. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Some dogs may be allowed to go to homes with electronic fencing systems; acceptance of this alternative containment system is solely up to the discretion of GGOH. The electronic system must be installed and training done by a professional "electronic containment" company. Additionally, if an electronic containment system is to be used, the adoptive party must agree to our "terms and conditions" in that if their choice of an electronic fencing system does not adequately contain the adopted dog, they will, without hesitation, install another containment option.
While Gregory’s fencing policy may seem extreme, this policy is in place with our rescue’s best interests at heart. The goal of our fencing policy is to minimize the risk of serious injury to the animal you are considering taking into your home. Things happen, often without intent, and a dog can end up running at large; outdoor containment lessens the odds of this happening. Additionally, fencing helps to keep predators out while the dog remains safely contained. Our policies are not in place to deny a dog a good home, but rather to ensure our rescues are placed in the safest possible environment.
What is considered suitable containment? Each of our rescues is going to require a different fencing situation so until we either know which dog you are interested in, or the type of fencing you currently have to match a dog to it, it’s not a clear cut answer on what “suitable” means. Safety, however, is the number one priority.
Our basic guidelines are:
1) The fenced in area must be directly attached to an entrance/exit door of the home. In our experience, containment systems that are not attached to the home do not get used as intended (think winter trips across the yard to contain the dog; it just doesn’t happen).
2) Smaller dogs require less room for elimination and exercise while conversely, larger dogs need a larger area for the same needs. Outdoor containment (fencing) requires adequate size in relation to the matured adult size of the dog you wish to adopt. Minimum required sizes are: 15'x5' small dogs, 20'x20' medium dogs, 30'x30' large dogs.
3) If the dog you are interested in requires above ground fencing, the minimum fence height is dependent upon the size of the dog and stationary and stable (i.e. galvanized chain link, wrought iron, privacy type wood).
4) Chicken wire or other flexible fencing is not acceptable. Portable playpen type enclosures or stand alone kennels not acceptable. Tie-out/tethering is not acceptable.
5) Underground invisible fencing may be acceptable, and even preferable (think fence jumpers), for some dogs but it must be in place and functioning before an adoption is granted.
Again, each dog will have a unique set of requirements to meet but in short, we are looking for a containment system that will keep the dog you wish to adopt safe, happy and health.
We are firm in regards to this policy but we are also willing to discuss various containment options with you so if you have questions, please let us know.