We are so excited that you are considering adopting a Lucky Dog. We ask that you read “Before You Adopt a Lucky Dog” prior to completing the adoption application. This is not intended to discourage you from adopting a dog. The purpose is for you to understand and be informed of what kind of commitment it takes to be a responsible pet owner, especially when you’re planning on adopting a rescue dog.
Most of the dogs that we have for adoption will have come from less than desirable situations. That is, they may have been abandoned or sometimes abused; they arrive in shelters malnourished and sometimes suffering from disease such as mange or heartworm. By the time these dogs reach a rescue group they been through a lot. As soon as You Lucky Dog saves a dog from death in a shelter, the dog is immediately taken to a vet to receive any necessary vaccinations and to have a complete checkup. If the dog has not yet been spayed or neutered, surgery is scheduled and completed prior to the dog becoming available for adoption. During this time, the dog is placed in a foster home where he or she receives love, training and socialization. When a dog transitions from a foster home to a new adoptive home, there will be setbacks. If they are already housebroken, they may have accidents in their new environment. They may be nervous about going into a crate or they may even be nervous about leaving their crate. They will need time to adjust to their new family and to feel safe and learn all of the house rules. During this time, you will need to be patient and consistent with your new family member.
It is important to be aware that owning a pet can be expensive. You must provide food, monthly heartworm medication, monthly flea and tick medication, yearly shots and routine checkups. There may also be potential illness and emergency situations that require expensive lifesaving medical treatment. Not being prepared for these things is how most of these dogs end up as owner surrenders to a shelter, not through any fault of the dog, but by an owner not understanding the expense and time commitment that can be involved when owning a pet.
Our Mission is to ensure the best fit for each individual dog and applicant. We will not make arrangements for you to meet any dogs until you have completed the adoption application. In addition, a dog will not be placed in your home before You Lucky Dog has conducted a thorough reference check and completed a home visit. Please understand that the adoption and home visit process is not designed to be frustrating and drawn out, but rather to guarantee the safety and happiness of the dogs. During the home check, we will make sure that each pet in that home has been neutered/spayed and is up to date on all of their shots. The home check will be completed by the foster for the dog that you are considering adopting when feasible. Our foster parents dedicate their time and money to loving and training these dogs, and we rely on their input when meeting with a potential adopter. If your application is approved and your home visit meets the requirements that we have established, you will be required to sign a contract in order to complete the adoption process.
Please understand that we are an all volunteer group and have no paid staff. The adoption process takes time and we ask for your patience. We want this to be a wonderful experience, but we also want you to know the reality of dog ownership and be completely prepared for commitment of time, energy and money required.
If you are ready to make a commitment to one of our Lucky Dogs, please complete the adoption application and submit for review.