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AHCR ADOPTION APPLICATION

WELCOME!!

Thank you for your interest in adopting with Almost Home!

Please email us at info@almosthomecaninerescue.com with any general questions.

All dogs are:

* spayed or neutered prior to adoption (including puppies)

* evaluated for temperament and trainability

* up-to-date on age appropriate vaccinations (DHPPC and Rabies)

* heartworm tested (6 months of age and older)

* Given flea, tick and heartworm preventatives

* treated for any necessary medical conditions

* microchipped

GENERAL ADOPTION FEES:

Adult dog: $250-500

Puppy: $400-600

*These are subject to change based on age, medical needs, and breed.*

Please do not hesitate to reach out about the status of your application via email: adoptions@almosthomecaninerescue.com

On average it takes our volunteers 7-10 business days to process the paper portion of your application.

We thank you for your patience.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

BEFORE APPLYING.

ADOPTION PROCESS

**Please note that we reserve the right to terminate an application at any point throughout the adoption process for any reason. Rude or inappropriate behavior towards our volunteers are not tolerated at any time.

WE NO LONGER ARE ACCEPTING GENERAL APPLICATIONS.

Please list a specific dog(s) that you are interested in adopting.

Please know that listing interest does not guarantee that you will adopt that animal. You may list multiple dogs.

VETTING

All current animals in the home MUST be up to date on all appropriate vaccinations (Rabies & Distemper/Parvo Combo) and be spayed or neutered unless there is a medical reason verified by your veterinarian’s office.

Please call your vet and confirm that your animals are
current on their vaccinations PRIOR to completing the application.

Any application that has current pets that are not up to date

(excluding medical reasons) will not be considered

and removed without notice.

**If your animals are not up to date but have a scheduled appointment please email us that information at adoptions@almosthomecaninerescue.com so we may confirm this with your veterinarian’s office.

REFERENCES

Contact your personal references to let them know we will be calling and to release information to us. Also be sure to list accurate telephone numbers of your references. This ensures your references call us back, which helps the process move along more quickly. We will attempt to contact your references no more than 3 times.

PRE-ADOPTION HOME VISIT

This home visit provides us an opportunity to get to know you and for you to get to know more about us and the rescue dog you are interested in adopting. This also helps us see if a dog would be a good fit for the energy and layout of your home. We are not there to judge your home; we just want to ensure our dogs will be safe in your home and be a good fit for your family.

All members of the household MUST be present at the time of the home visit.

WE DO NOT BRING DOGS ALONG TO HOME VISITS

You must be approved prior to meeting with a dog unless it is at one of our scheduled public meet and greets.

Once you are approved, you may meet the dog in private via the foster family.

You can apply for dogs if you live out of state, generally you must live within 5 hours driving distance to adopt one of our dogs. Exceptions may be worked out PRIOR to filling out an application by emailing us at adoptions@almosthomecaninerescue.com. People who live further than 5 hours away and do not get an ok from our team will not be considered and application removed without notice.

Due to Covid19 many of our home visits are being conducted electronically.

MEETING THE DOG/ADOPTION

Once the home visit has been completed, we get you in contact with the foster parents so you can ask questions and set up a time to meet the dog. We encourage you to have your current pets meet the new dog. Please note that it often takes time for dogs to get used to a new environment and your current pets and your new animals should ALWAYS have SLOW introductions. If you have any questions about this, PLEASE reach out. We have a basic trainer as part of our team who is willing to speak with anyone about this.

We expect an adopter to take possession of a dog as soon as it is ready to be adopted.

WE DO NOT HOLD DOGS FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME.

If you plan on moving, taking a trip, or have major life events coming up, please wait and apply AFTER those events have occurred. This is to ensure the dog's life is not disrupted more than necessary.

AHCR does NOT do a 2-week trial period unless pre-arranged with the Adoption Team. Certain dogs and families with specific needs may be able to have trial periods.

All of our animals are microchipped. Almost Home Canine Rescue registers these microchips so that both our information as well as the adopters' information is on the chip in case the animal is ever lost or abandoned. The adopter provides us with the names and phone numbers they would like on the chip, but does NOT register the chip.

We deposit any checks roughly 2 weeks after the adoption has taken place. It can take 3-4 weeks for the check to be deposited. If you do not want to wait 4 weeks, please make the adoption donation with cash.

Cash needs to be the EXACT amount as our fosters do not carry change for your convenience.

Thank you for understanding!

WE DO NOT REFUND ADOPTION FEES

Sometimes we have multiple applications for a dog. Please understand that we do our best to choose the home we feel is the best fit for the dog. This does not mean that you aren't a good adoptive family; we just may not think the dog would do well in your home. We may not decide until after we have done home visits for multiple families and we appreciate your cooperation and patience. Thank you for understanding.

We will consider long distance adoptions, as long as a home visit can be completed and the adopter is willing to DRIVE to South Dakota to pick up their new dog. We do not allow our dogs to go to their new home via air travel or any 3rd party transporter.
We do expect adopters to drive to the foster family's home to pick up their new dog.
Our adoption fees are set so that we can afford to provide each of the animals in our case with the appropriate vetting they need to be healthy and happy and are non negotiable. WE DO NOT REFUND ADOPTION FEES
We do not always require a fence, depending on the dog. If we require a fence, this will be noted on the dogs' description.
We expect that our dogs will be part of a family, not housed outside.
Every dog will come with a Martingale Collar (included in the adoption fee) and is expected to wear that collar at all times after the adoption is complete. This is to ensure the dog's safety.

**If the dog you applied for was adopted by another family please know that we will keep your APPROVED application on file for a period of 6 months. Within that time frame if another dog comes up that interests you please email our team at adoptions@almosthomecaninerescue.com.

After 6 months a new application will be required.

We are always here to help!

We want this adoption to be successful, and we always are here to give advice and offer assistance. Please do not hesitate to email us at adoptions@almosthomecaninerescue.com with any questions or concerns.

** Please note that we reserve the right to check in on the animal, especially if we are concerned that they are not being taken care of properly. **

Please remember that we are all volunteers at AHCR and have other responsibilities outside of rescue. If you ever have any questions about your application, please email us at adoptions@almosthomecaninerescue.com and someone will respond to your inquiry within 24-48 hours.

Today's Date (XX/YY/XXXX): *

First Name *

Last Name *

Address 1 *

Address 2

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Phone *

Email Address *

What animal(s) are you interested in adopting? Please list up to 3 animals in order of preference. *

1. Are all household members in agreement about adopting a dog and willing to be present for a home visit? *

Yes.

No.

2. Are your current pets neutered/spayed and up-to-date on rabies and distemper/parvo vaccinations?

All current pets must be up to date on appropiate vacciantions and spayed/neutered (Excluding medical reasons). Please know that if they are not your applicaton will be removed without notice.

Please call your vet and verify this.
If your animals have a scheduled appointment to get up to date, please let us know so that we can verify this. *

No current pets

Yes

No

If your animals are not currently fixed, please explain why: *

Please list your current pets, including species (dog, cat, etc.) and their ages: *

Is there any other pet(s) residing on your property that hasn't been previously listed or described above? If yes, please list and explain. *

Are/have your current animals been seen by a trainer or behaviorist? If so, what were they being seen for? *

3. Are you willing to DRIVE to the foster's home near SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA to pick up your dog if you are approved? All foster homes are located within 90 minutes of Sioux Falls. (We do NOT ship dogs or allow dogs to be flown to their new location.) *

Yes

No

General Questions

What purpose will this pet serve in your home? *PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT ADOPT OUT DOGS < 6 MONTHS OF AGE TO BE SERVICE ANIMALS* *

Emotional Support Animal applicants only: Does your landlord have a copy of the doctor's note stating you can have a dog as an emotional support animal? *

If this animal is no longer available, or is adopted, do you still want us to process your application for another animal? IF YOU SELECT NO, this means that we will not proceed with your application if the dog you want to adopt has an adopter lined up. If you select yes, we will continue working on it regardless of that dog's status. *

What qualities are you looking for in a dog? *

Who will be primarily responsible for this dog? *

Have you owned pets in the past that are now deceased? How did they die? *

Do you own or rent your home? *

Are you allowed to have pets? *

Do you have a fenced in yard? How tall is it? What kind of fence is it (chain-link, wood, etc)? *

If you do not have a fenced in yard, how do you plan to keep the dog safe when it goes outside?

If you rent (house, apartment, lot, land) please list your landlord's name, phone number and email address. ALL THREE ARE REQUIRED TO PROCESS YOUR APPLICATION. Please let him or her know that we will be contacting them. *

List the names AND ages of ALL PEOPLE, INLCUDING YOURSELF, living in the home (including children). Please list roommate names and phone numbers, we do check with housemates to make sure they are in agreement with you getting a dog.
Persons living within your household can not be used as references and are required to be present for the home visit. *

Is anyone in your house allergic to pet dander? *

If YES, how do you plan to control those allergies?
(Please note that we make no guarantee on breeds as our dogs often come as strays with little to no information).
WE DO NOT REFUND ADOPTION FEES DUE TO ALLERGIES. *

How many hours a day will the animal be left alone? *

Where will the dog stay during the day? At night? *

How much are you willing to spend on your pet each year for medical costs, food, supplies, etc? *

On what date would you be ready to adopt this animal? Please note that we DO NOT hold dogs for any length of time. We do expect that you will be ready to take the dog home once they are ready for adoption. *

Obedience and Training

Will you provide professional obedience training if needed? (We can give suggestions upon request) *

Are you willing to take the time to housebreak a dog, and do you understand that changing a dog's environment may cause the dog to have accidents? *

If this dog chews, digs, soils on the floor or has any bad habits, what will you do? If a behavioral problem arises, what steps will you take to work on it? *

What would you do with the dog if you had to move? *

Have you ever given up an animal? Under what circumstances would you give up an animal? Please list any previous pets here. *

If you adopt elsewhere before approval please email us at adoptions@almosthomecaninerescue.com and let us know. Thank you!

Are you willing to pay the adoption fee for this dog? (The adoption fee for the dog(s) you are interested in can be found on their Petfinder profile online.) WE DO NOT REFUND ADOPTION FEES. *

If you have any questions please email us at adoptions@almosthomecaninerescue.com

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE VOLUNTEER STAFF TO NOTIFY YOU IF THE DOG YOU APPLIED FOR HAS BEEN ADOPTED.

Please check our website, FB page, or email us to get that information.

References

VET REFERENCE

PRIOR TO ADOPTING CALL YOUR VETS OFFICE TO CONFIRM :

1. YOUR CURRENT ANIMALS ARE UP TO DATE ON ALL VACCINATIONS AND THEY HAVE RECORD OF SPAY OR NEUTER

2. YOU GIVE THEM THE OK TO RELAY TO RECORDS TO ALMOST HOME CANINE RESCUE.

-Please list the vet that has your current or previous animal's records.

-We will be contacting your vet to verify records.

-Please also ensure you list the names of your animals in the form so that we can ensure each of them has been seen by your vet.

-Some vets require you to release your information to us; please contact your vet and check to ensure this is done so we can move things along more quickly!

PLEASE KNOW THAT YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE PROCESSED IF YOUR VET DOES NOT HAVE ALL RECORDS, YOUR ANIMAL IS PAST DUE, OR CANNOT PROVIDE THEM TO US BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE YOUR CONSENT TO DO SO. WE DO REQUIRE UP TO DATE VACCINATIONS AND THAT ALL ANIMALS ON YOUR PROPERTY ARE SPAYED/NEUTERED UNLESS RECOMMENDED OTHERWISE BY YOUR VET. THIS INCLUDES BOTH CATS AND DOGS.

If you have never previously owned a pet, you can put NA in this section.

Please list deceased pets and their vet information if they have passed away within the last 3 years.

I have contacted my veterinarian office to ensure that AHCR can check the status of my animals and have given them the OK to do so. *

Yes.

No.

Vet Office *

Vet's Phone *

What name is your vet account under? *

Please list your pets' names, age, and breed: (Include pets that have died within the last 3 years).

PERSONS LIVING WITHIN YOUR HOUSEHOLD MAY NOT BE USED AS A REFERENCE.

Personal Reference1--MUST BE NON-FAMILY

(PLEASE VERIFY THEIR PHONE NUMBER)

Name *

Relationship *

Email Address

Phone *

Personal Reference 2 --MUST BE NON-FAMILY

(PLEASE VERIFY PHONE NUMBER)

Name *

Relationship *

Email Address

Phone *

Personal Reference 3--MUST BE NON-FAMILY

(PLEASE VERIFY PHONE NUMBER)

Name *

Relationship *

Email Address

Phone *

It may take 3-10 days for us to get back to you regarding your application. We cannot move forward with processing your application if your references do not get back to us. Please tell your references to return our calls ASAP! Please REACH OUT to us if you submit and application and have not heard back within 3 days! Please ensure that you get a confirmation that the form is submitted. All fields should be filled out. *

I don't understand.

I understand.

If you are interested in meeting or adopting one of our animals outside of a public event, you must first have an approved application. We DO NOT GUARANTEE that the dog you are interested in will still be available after your application has been processed. *

I don't understand

I understand

We use email as the primary contact method while processing applications. If we email you and do not hear back within 3 business days, we will assume you do not want to proceed with your application and it will be deleted. (Make sure to check your SPAM folders as well) *

Verification: By including your name and date in the box below and submitting this application form online, you are verifying that all of the information that you have provided is true and correct. If any of this information changes, you agree to advise Almost Home promptly. You also acknowledge that you understand that Almost Home will exercise its discretion in the placement of all animals and that completion of this questionnaire does not guarantee that you will adopt an animal. I understand that AHCR does not guarantee the temperament, personality, or behavior of an animal. I understand if the pet does not work out in my home it will be returned to AHCR. I understand that I will not receive a refund should I need to return the animal. *

Thank you for applying to adopt a homeless pet!