Adoption Procedures and Policies...... Just thought I should note that yes we adopt out dogs that have been neglected/abused/unwanted, however, we have certain policies to follow and the dogs in our care don't merely go to a home because a home is found. We try our very best to match the dog's needs to the new home and ensure that the dog will be well taken care of. In order to do this we need to do some checking into the potential new home via an application process. How many times have I heard "why do I need to fill out an application? I am offering a dog that didn't have a home a place to live." Just because its a rescue dog doesn't make the dog less valuable than any other dog. We need to feel comfortable in letting the dog go and this takes reference checks,vet checks and often home visits to be able to adopt out a dog. Then there's the "Why do I have to pay an adoption fee? I just want to give the dog a home". We have to put money into the dogs that enter rescue to make sure 1) They are healthy and able to go to a home via vaccines etc 2)That they don't reproduce and make more pups that will one day find themselves homeless. Almost all our dogs are not spayed/neutered when they enter our rescue. Then there are the unexpected vet visits...urinary tract infections, ear infections, injuries...it all adds up. Sometimes, an application is approved for a dog but not suitable to the specific dog that the applicant applied for. For example we can not adopt out a young energetic pup to a senior who only goes for a 15min walk a day. Its not fair to the puppy or the adopter...Its just not a match. Matching dogs as noted above is a very important aspect of rescuing.... People get very upset with us when we deny their applications based on previous dogs not being neutered or no vet records, references stating that their dogs were never walked, lived outside etc etc...This is not the life we want for our furry friends. We want the dogs to be treated with love/respect by providing physical exercise, a loving touch and vet care when required. We couldn't continue to rescue unless we felt 100% that the dog leaving rescue will receive all he/she requires. So, if you are not approved because your past dog was not neutered/spayed then we need a good medical reason why. If the reason was because "we didn't feel the need to" that is not a valid reason and it causes some concern that the dog could have been pregnating other dogs or giving birth to yet more pups IE: We are a rescue and want to prevent dogs from breeding and breeding. Maybe they just didn't want to put out the money to fix the dog...so what happens when dog needs to go to the vet. Will that be a money concern as well? As far as vaccines and the vet history is concerned, we are looking to see if the dog was cared for and tended to by a veterinarian when needed. I don't believe a dog needs to be vaccinated yearly but there does need to be a full set of vaccines in the dog's life. If the dog had an ear infection he/she received treatment etc...If that is not found we can not approve the adoption. Lastly, people ask daily can we meet the dogs before filling out an application. No, all our dogs are in foster homes and we do not have a facility. People just dropping in to view a dog is a great way to lose foster families because their lives would constantly be disrupted. Approved application are required and once adopted we can make arrangements to meet any of the dogs. We value our foster families and couldn't do what we do without them.