Adoption Guidelines

Filling out an adoption application is the first step in bringing home your new best friend. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you apply.

• DTR is not a “first come, first serve” adoption layout. We take great pride in matching our dogs with the best fit for their needs, and will review as many applications as we have to to ensure their successful placement. In most cases, the dogs in our rescue have been failed by their previous owners, and we will not rush the adoption process and let them down a second time. 

• KEEP YOUR CURRENT PETS UP-TO-DATE ON ALL RECOMMENDED VET CARE. This is the number one reason we have to deny applications. If your dog or cat is unaltered, behind on their annual exams, or is lacking vaccinations or preventatives, get them into the vet BEFORE you apply for a new dog or cat with us. We are not willing to risk placing any of our dogs in a home where they could go unprotected or be put in harm's way.

• ALL OUR ANIMALS WILL BE SPAYED/NEUTERED, REGARDLESS OF AGE, PRIOR TO ADOPTION. No, you can’t set this up with your vet. No, we won’t make an exception and risk our license with the USDA. No, we do not care that your neighbors, friends, vet thinks they’re too young. We follow the rules, the laws, and the ASPCA guidelines that say 8 weeks and over is a safe age for altering. 

• WHAT DOES THE ADOPTION FEE INCLUDE? The adoption fee you pay includes your pet's spay/neuter surgery, all age-appropriate vaccines, a microchip, one month of flea and tick preventative (already applied), deworming (already completed), as well as a leash, collar, and some other goodies for your new friend. In other words: your friend will come home with you fully-vetted, healthy, and ready to roll.