IT TAKES A VILLAGE ANIMAL RESCUE

How to Adopt

Steps to Adopting

1. You must fill out an application. Please make sure it is filled out as stated in each question. If something is not filled out correctly, the application will be denied.
2. The following requirements apply to all adoptions; you must:
   • Be at least 25 years of age, or 21 years old and own your own home. If you are married or have a significant other living in the house, they must be a co-applicant and on the application.
   • Provide legal ID showing your current address to verify age.
   • While it is our goal to find a home for each and every animal in our care, it is also our responsibility to ensure that each animal finds a home that is not only safe and loving, but is right for their particular temperament. Understand that ITAVAR reserves the right to deny any adoption for any reason.
   • You must have a crate for the dog, and continue to crate train after the adoption.
3. Once we receive your application, we will call you to set up a meet-n-greet. During the visit, if you decide you want the pet, we require a $100 deposit. At the time we receive the deposit, we will work on approving the application. This deposit will be returned if the application or home visit should fall though. If you should decide you do not want to adopt, the deposit becomes a donation to the rescue.
4. Once the application is approved we will set up a home visit. Once the visit is approved, we can finalize the adoption

Choosing to Adopt a Pet

Things to Consider

1. Adopting an animal is a lifetime commitment. Depending on the age of the dog you adopt, that may be fifteen years. There will be changes in your life over the lifetime of the dog. Younger people may marry and have kids. Can you handle a dog when you have a two-year old? Hopefully, it’s ‘yes’ and you’ll be ready to adopt!
2. Use a crate. We crate train our dogs and unless we tell you otherwise we suggest you continue to crate your new dog until he/she earns inside privileges. Crates are not cruel. Crates keep curious puppies safe and insecure dogs more secure. Dogs must earn the privilege of freedom and this could take weeks, months or never. Some dogs are very comfortable and feel safe in their crates, so it’s fine to keep it that way. Changes can create anxiety. Crates can help.
3. Dogs need to decompress! When you first get your new dog, you can expect him/her to be out of sorts for a few days. Moving to a new home is stressful and he/she may be reserved when you get settled. Your dog may pace or whine which are also normal signs of stress in a dog. This should stop once the dog settles in to the new routine. Your new dog may be thirsty and not hungry, so do not be surprised. We recommend a high-quality food.Every dog is different and their reaction to a new home is no different. They may arrive really hyper or really tired. Your dog is completely vetted unless we tell you differently and your dog should see the vet within a week to have a baseline well-dog visit. If you have a puppy, you will likely need to see your vet to continue shots that are age appropriate. The key to a successful transition is to let them ‘chill out’ for a few days. Remember that the dog is in a new place with new smells, new people and a whole new routine. This can be scary for a dog. The dog will figure it out, but dogs like to watch and observe to learn the lay of the land. Most important rule is to be patient and do not expect instant perfection.
4. Do NOT leave the dog outside, unsupervised.
5. Never open the door to an unfenced area if the dog is in the room and not crated or on leash.
6. No matter how well-behaved your child or the dog is, never leave them alone in a room together. If a child bites someone at day care, he goes home with a note. If a dog bites someone, he goes to a 10-day quarantine and then a possible euthanasia. It’s that simple. Don’t put a dog in a situation where he could be at risk. The dog’s life is in your hands.
7. Be prepared to train your dog. We work with them from the moment they come to the rescue and you need to continue to work with them. If you experience a behavior issue, we want to hear from you. Most things are easy to address, but some may need a trainer and you need to be prepared to hire one. If you are adopting a puppy and have no vet references and/or never owned a dog on your own before, you must take obedience classes with the pup.
8. Dogs can be expensive. Dog food for a big dog will run between $75 and $150 depending on brand. Every month, your dog will need heart-worm and flea preventatives. That runs about $35 a month on average. Annual vet visits are expensive. As the dog gets older, vet care gets more expensive. Consider your budget and decide if you can afford a dog.
9. Do not feed your new dog around your existing dogs until you know what they will do. Do not put out high value treats with your new dog and your existing dogs. This causes fights. Do not leave out your kid’s toys or your other dog’s toys. This can cause fights and also lead to the untimely demise of your child’s favorite stuffed animal. Do not simply open the door on arrival and walk in with the new dog. Introductions are the key to survival. Do not expect that just because your existing dog likes other dogs that he or she will love the new one.

Have questions or comments? Give us a call: (302) 690-1963