Will you actually respond to my phone call/ email/ adoption application?

YES! We are a smaller rescue, and pride ourselves on our ability to actually communicate with potential adopters.* We promise to respond to (almost) all inquiries within 48 hours.

There are a few types of messages where we will not bother responding. Examples of those messages include:

• “How much?”
• “Do you have any puppies?”
• “Still available?”

Please also note that repeatedly calling our business line and NOT leaving a voicemail is not a helpful form of inquiry. We process our applications online and while we appreciate your enthusiasm for the dogs we have (we love them just as much as you do) it will likely take us longer to get back to you as we field other requests and you’ll have to fill out an application anyway.

*We reserve the right to refuse communication and adoption to any applicant that engages in excessive, harassing, or abusive behavior.  Being rude to our team members will not increase your chances of being chosen as an adopter.

What are you looking for in a home check?

We use home checks to get an idea of the environment the dog will be living in. Messes are not a big deal; we’re looking for obvious hazards (escape routes, hazardous or poisonous plants, wires and outlets, space and size, etc). If we do see something that needs to be fixed, that’s not a deal breaker. We’ll notify you of our concerns so you can address them, and if you do we can discuss moving forward with the adoption process.

Why does it cost so much to adopt, aren’t I doing you a favor and saving this dog’s life?!

We get asked questions about our adoption fees from time to time and while we wish we had the support of other organizations to supplement our adoption fees, we are a privately run and independently funded rescue.

Basically we have to pay for all the dogs and their care through our adoption fees and donations.

While we have many dogs who are only with us for a few days or weeks, we also have dogs in our care for longer stretches. That’s before we even get into vet bills for puppies (and even the healthy ones can cost hundreds of dollars).

We understand that you may have paid less for a dog previously, but we are not those organizations and rescues which provide comparable levels of care for their dogs will charge you a fee similar to ours. We believe we ask for a fee that is representative of the time and care we invest in the dogs while they’re with us. If we’re being brutally honest our fees are probably still too low when compared to the number of hours our staff put into caring for the dogs, reviewing applicants for them, and providing medical care so the dog can be as healthy as we can make them before they go home.

So yes, another rescue or shelter may have been cheaper and if you’d like to adopt a cheaper dog that is entirely your prerogative. But we believe we ask a fair fee for the services we provide.

Please do not ask us to haggle over a fee or guilt trip us with stories of other places you’ve visited. With all due respect; it will NOT help your chances of adopting through us.

If we aren’t chosen for the dog we originally applied for, can we be considered for other dogs? Do we need to reapply?

Absolutely. We try not to get adopters’ hopes up, so we will usually remove active postings once we’ve received enough applicants for a certain dog. However, if you do happen to apply and are not chosen, we will save your application and information for future inquiries you might have. If you are approved with our rescue you can essentially “skip the line” in the future and simply reach out as soon as you see a dog you’re interested in meeting or adopting.

Do you allow trial periods?

We refer to these as “foster to adopt” situations and we do allow them from on a case by case basis depending on the temperament, background, and needs of the dog as well as the judgement of the rescue staff.

We DO NOT offer foster to adopt options for puppies because there is generally such a high interest that we prefer not to disturb their environment until a firm commitment is made. As puppies, their true personality has not yet developed and it is the new owners responsibility to form and shape the puppy’s behavior as it matures.

However, if a medical emergency occurs within the first two weeks of adoption we have a clause in our contract to provide medical options.

Do you do out of state adoptions?

Yes! However, only dogs 4 months of age or older will be eligible for out-of-state adoptions to ensure they have received all necessary vaccines, including rabies. Also, the adopter has to make the arrangements to pick up their dog.

We do not ship dogs or transport them out of the Southern California area unaccompanied.

I met two siblings and love them both, can I adopt two dogs?

We love enthusiastic applicants and from time to time will allow the adoption of two dogs.

However, we do not adopt siblings from the same litter. Dogs born into the same litter can develop “Littermate Syndrome” (also knows as Sibling Aggression or Littermate Aggression), which is a non-scientific anecdotal term that refers to a whole host of behavioral issues that tend to present when canine siblings (Littermates) are raised in the same household beyond the normal 8 to 10 weeks of age, when puppies are usually placed in homes.

We believe it is in the best interest of both the applicants and our dogs to restrict sibling adoptions.

Can I meet a dog before I apply to adopt?

NO. For the safety of our dogs and our fosters we do not provide the location of our adoptable dogs until an adopter has been fully approved by our application process.

How do I prepare my home for a new dog?

There is a lot to do when welcoming a new pup into your home! With puppies and even some older dogs, it’s very important to puppy proof your home. They are very sneaky and will try to chew on everything! Secure all loose wires, place anything chewable in the house and yard out of their reach. Keep all cleaning supplies, pest control traps or poisons locked away. Make sure all trash receptacles are able to be closed tightly so a curious puppy cannot knock them over. Chewtoys and sticks should not be accessible when the pup is alone. When shopping for your dog start with the basics:

• Bowls – There are many different dog and water bowls to choose from. Make sure to get bowls that reflect the size of your dog when you bring it home. You can purchase bigger bowls as your puppy grows. If you find that your dog/puppy is eating too fast or having an upset stomach, there are special bowls you can purchase that force your dog to slow down its eating that look like puzzles or mazes. You can also place a ball or toy in the bowl as an obstacle that they need to eat around to keep them from inhaling their food.
• Toys – Puppies and dogs need lots of stimulation and toys are a great way for them to get that! One idea is to buy 10-12 toys and continue to circulate them so your dog always thinks he’s getting a fun new toy! If your dog is a chewer/toy destroyer never leave your dog with a toy unattended because they can swallow stuffing, squeakers and pieces of toys that can create dangerous blockages in their intestines, This is especially important with rope toys. Rope toys are never for chewing only for tugs and should only be out for supervised playtime use.
• Beds – Get any bed that works for your dog. We recommend not spending a lot of money on a bed for a new dog. It’s usually the first thing they destroy when left alone.
• Crates – Crates are great for potty training and keeping your pup out of mischief when unsupervised. Make sure your dog can stand up and turn around in his or her crate.
• Treats – Treats are great for training and chew sticks and bones are excellent for teething dogs as well as dogs with anxiety because chewing releases endorphins and will naturally help to calm your dog or pup. Do some research to find what chew treat is best for your dog or puppy.
• ID Tag, Collars and Leash – It’s VERY important to get your dog microchipped as soon as possible, but from the moment they come home they should be equipped with a collar and ID tag.
• Puppy Pee Pads – These are the best way to keep your puppy from having accidents in unwanted areas of your home. We have been using them while they are in our care so they should already be familiar with using them as their potty area.