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You just saw the latest Disney movie and there was just the cutest little floppy eared pup in it, that wagged his tail and tilted his head just so, that he seemed to be looking right at you saying, "Don't you wish you had me waiting for you at home?". So you find yourself at the local shelter looking in on all the cute doggies playing and barking and hoping that you will be the one that will take them home before their time comes up. It can be a long, rewarding experience to have Rex or Princess to come home to at the end of a long work day, to take to the park and on the weekend family outings, but there are some things to think about before you take this big step.
Why sure Honey, just keep in mind that younger dogs need lots of attention and care. Are you ready for the time and attention every day for feeding, walking, playing, and training? Can you deal with chewed up shoes at first or toilet paper strung across the living room when you come back from the trip to the grocery store? Patience and love is all that you need, we can work on the rest. Just be prepared to commit at least 10-18 years of your life on that puppy. Loyalty is a two way street, you know! Since we do not have a shelter, we can't "send" you to a specific location to look at a particular dog. The first step is to fill out an adoption application. Once you fill out your application, an adoption counselor will get back to you as soon as possible to set up a meeting with the dog you are interested in. The Puppy Everyone want a cute and cuddly puppy to play with, but remember what a HUGE responsibility that can be. What goes along with the happy pitter patter of tiny paws tapping along the kitchen tile is also chewing, wetting on the livingroom carpet (by accident, of course), potty breaks every 2 to 4 hours, feeding 3 or 4 times a day, and more training than an adult dog who has already been socialized. The Adult Dog Now, on the other hand, an adult dog has gone through most of those painful processes already. They usually have better bladder control, are usually socialized and may even be calming down from the overly excitable stages of youth, but they can bring along other issues typical of their age. They may have a behavioral problem from whatever previous life they led. They may bark, or dig in the garden, or hate the cat. They may need some training. Are you ready? Seniors Lastly, we have the more mature, older dog. Older animals, with their normally lower energy level and bladder control, often settle in their new environment faster and with less damage than puppies. They can be cantankerous, but they can still be full of love and many years worth of play and happiness! So you decide! Do you have the time and energy for a puppy? Would you rather have a more stable adult dog, or do you go the route of a faithful, older companion that doesn't need as much exercise. Only you can know for sure. Think about it before you make that commitment. Remember you are ultimately responsible for the dogs life and happiness. Don't blow it. Please see: How to Pick a Good VetNew York Vet Referral List How much unconditional love will you get in return, is really what you should be asking. It's a good thing that dogs can't charge us back for love, loyalty and continuous support, but, it really can be an important factor to consider before you decide to adopt a dog: Can I afford one? Costs can include such things as food, annual vet visits, training, spaying/neutering, annual licensing and identification tags, grooming, collars, leashes, toys, a crate or carrier, boarding, pet sitting, and even possibly dog walking when you're on vacation or at work. WHEW! That's a lot to think about! The typical annual cost for having a dog as your faithful companion runs about $1,100. Lots of little things can add up, but who can pass by that cute squeaky blue ball or the bandana the says 'One Tuff Mutt' when walking down those pet store aisles? Keep in mind that for an unsterilized animal the cost is always higher than one that's been spayed or neutered. Unsterilized animals are more prone to aggression, straying, medical problems such as testicular cancer, accidental injuries, and let's not forget unwanted litters. On our web site we try to have a current listing of our dogs that are in either foster care or in boarding facilities in NYC, but because we are always finding Stray dogs, nursing puppies and being buried in courtesy listings, our site is almost impossible to keep "up to the minute". The best thing to do is to follow-up with us on a consistent basis – chances are we will find another dog meeting your needs very quickly. SFTH asks a number of questions in order to ensure that we are getting the critical information that will help us lead you to the dog best suited for you and your family. Stray from the Heart is required to have an "Adoption Agreement" signed by every person who adopts one of our dogs. The most important aspects of this agreement is that the dog will be kept as an indoor house pet, will be treated with love, provided with food and water, proper veterinary care, and cannot be given away to anyone other than Stray from the Heart. You should carefully review this agreement before signing it. Yes. As a matter of policy, we require at least two references of individuals (excluding relatives) who can attest to your character and responsibility for caring for a dog. Yes. As part of our efforts to find "the right match", and therefore the right home for the dog, our Adoption Counselors are required to visit your home before and after the adoption. This allows us to make observations about the dog's interaction with you and your family, especially with children and other pets. The adoption of a dog is a legal contract which cannot be enforced against minors under 21 years of age. For this reason, we ask that you provide proof of age and address, such as a driver's license, work I.D., or letter from your employer. Yes, there is a non-refundable $250 adoption fee for each dog. This modest fee helps recover a small portion of cost incurred in the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of the dog. While we hope this never happens, if you are unable to keep the dog, Stray from the Heart will take the dog back "no questions asked." The time varies in accordance with how complete the application is and how accessible the new home and references are. Usually it takes about 5 working days to finalize the adoption. We will work with you as quickly as possible to arrange a time to have you meet your new companion. If your house doesn't have all of the essentials (fenced backyard, enclosed terrace) that it should to keep a particular dog happy, and you are sure that this is the pup for you, we can work with you to set things right. Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to rethink who would make the perfect dog for you. Adopting a dog is a meeting of the heart as well as of the mind. It is a lifetime commitment to an animal that will be your loving companion and your best friend. We want to make this decision as easy as possible for you, so if you are not sure you can take such a permanent step, consider fostering one of our dogs before you adopt to help alleviate the pressure you may feel. Check out our adorable adoptables, then fill out our dog foster form and ask how you can become a foster parent to one of our beautiful dogs. |
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