ADOPTING THROUGH ARPH
OUR DOGS
The
majority of dogs we rescue are young adults or adults.
While pups do appear from time to time, they are not
common. More males than females tend to be the trend in
rescue as well so please consider both genders when
adopting.
Our
dogs are kept in foster homes with volunteers who share
their homes with these dogs until the right adoptive home
is found. These foster homes evaluate for temperament and
also try and get some basics into the
dogs.
VETTING
OF THE DOGS
All our
dogs over 6 months of age are spayed/neutered. We feel
there are more than enough Aussies already in need of homes
and that our rescues should not be used for breeding. If a
dog is too young to be altered the adopter will need to
agree in writing to do so by the time the dog is 6 months
of age.
Our
dogs have been seen by a vet and declared healthy for
adoption. They are up to date on vaccinations, have been
heartworm tested and also been cleared for
parasites.
THE
ADOPTION PROCESS
The
first step in adopting from ARPH is to complete an
adoption
application.
Once the application is received it is sent to the rep
in your area. That rep will be responsible for having
your application screened. Vet references are usually
called first. When we contact your vet we ask about
current and past pets (both dogs and cats). We ask if
all animals are spayed/neutered, up to date on
vaccinations, seen on a yearly basis and whether dogs
are on heartworm preventative. Personal references are
called next and finally a home visit is set
up.
The
purpose of the home visit is not to check out your
housekeeping, but to meet you, your family and any pets you
may have. It also allows us to see what kind of Aussie
would fit best in your home.
This
careful screening process helps to ensure that each rescued
Australian Shepherd is placed in a loving, safe, and
permanent home. ARPH is looking for homes which have
adequate time, energy, and resources for the dogs. We look
for homes that can provide a safe and secure environment
for the Aussie. It is our goal for this to be a permanent
placement.
AFTER
YOU'VE BEEN APPROVED
Once
you've been approved, you may start contacting reps about
the available dogs in the program. Sometimes a dog that
matches your home will be available immediately, but in
most cases, it will take anywhere from a few weeks to a few
months. The more narrow your criteria for the right dog,
the longer the wait. If your heart is set on a certain
color, gender or age, you will probably wait longer than
the adopter who is open on all these things. We do not
place our dogs on a "first come, first served" basis, but
according to the needs of the dog.