Adopting a Dog
Be a Friend . . . Adopt a SAVE Pet
THE SHELTER IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY FOR APPROVED ADOPTERS to allow the dedicated time for our staff to facilitate the optimal pet-matchmaking experience.
1
Complete Adoption Form
Complete our online adoption application. An application must be completed and approved prior to visiting with our animals.
2
Meet Your Pet
A SAVE staff member will contact you to make an appointment. ALL members living in the household must meet the pet as part of the adoption process. If you are interested in adopting a dog and you have other dogs in the household, a meet and greet will be required.
3
Get Application Status
To follow up on your adoption application status, please call the shelter at (609) 309-5214 or email us at [email protected]
Adoption Fees For Dogs
Post Adoption Training Scholarship (PATS)
At SAVE, we understand that the current economy presents challenges, and this impacts dog adoption rates. To ease the financial burden on adopters and help our adoptable dogs find their forever homes, we are excited to introduce the Post Adoption Training Scholarship (PATS) program. This initiative funds the first five training sessions with a qualified trainer for select medium and large breed dogs, identified in their adoption bios. For more information, please call the shelter director and ask about the PATS program.
Adults: $300
(Adults in shelter > 4 months – Adoption Fees are waived)
Puppies: $500
Adoption fees for adults and puppies include Spay/Neuter, Flea & Tick prevention, Heartworm testing, Distemper, Bordetella, and Rabies vaccines, fecal analysis, deworming, plus Microchipping. Puppies will have age-appropriate vaccinations at the time of adoption.
Pets are family and a lifetime commitment
SAVE adoption policies are based on industry best practices. Our staff are happy to assist you in finding the perfect match for you, your family, and your lifestyle. When you take your furry friend home, be prepared for a period of adjustment. It can take an adopted pet 3 days, 3 weeks, or even 3 months (or more) to adjust to their new home environment.
As a result of the pandemic forcing us to operate the shelter by appointment only, we learned that it works! We have received positive feedback from our adopters. We can ensure an even better outcome for both the pet and the adopter by closing the shelter to walk-in visitors and operating by appointment only.
7 Myths about Shelter Dogs Debunked!
Shelter dogs make great pets! Here are seven myths about shelter dogs that are simply not true:
When you’re ready to bring a new dog into your family, please check your local shelters first. You’ll be rescuing an innocent dog hoping for their second chance and gaining a wonderful companion, debunking the myths along the way!
Myth 1: All Shelter Pets are Old
Reality: Older dogs and cats make great pets, but the majority of animals in our care are young adults (1-3 years old). This is the perfect age to adopt a pet! They’re past the rowdy puppy stage, but still energetic enough to keep up with you. And if your heart is set on a puppy or kitten, we often have them in our shelters too. We have pets in all sizes, shapes and personalities to fit your unique lifestyle!
Myth 2: Shelter Dogs Are Sickly
Reality: While some shelter dogs may have been surrendered due to health issues, the majority are healthy and those with health issues have been treated as part of our commitment to the health and welfare of the pets in our care. Many puppies from pet stores come from puppy mills where they receive no vet care, grooming, exercise, or proper housing, resulting in more health problems compared to shelter dogs.
Myth 3: Shelter Dogs Are Badly Behaved
Reality: Most dogs in shelters are surrendered due to their owners’ financial difficulties or loss of interest, not because of behavioral issues. SAVE offers a post adoption training scholarship program in which we commit to five (5) training sessions per dog enrolled in the program. Most dogs qualify, including puppies. Training is intended to assist an identified animal with the transition from shelter to home.
Myth 4: Older Dogs Will Not Bond With You Like Puppies Do
Reality: Age does not affect a dog’s ability to bond. Dogs of any age will quickly form strong attachments with their new owners.
Myth 5: You Can’t Find Purebred Dogs in Shelters
Reality: Many purebred dogs find themselves homeless for the same reasons as non-purebred dogs.
Myth 6: Shelter Dogs Are Not House-trained
Reality: Most dogs in shelters are already house-trained. We can get an understanding of a dog’s house-training habits while in the shelter based on their habits within their individual kennel. Many of our dogs have also been in foster homes which also gives us information as to their habits in a home setting.
Myth 7: A Dog Must Have a Big Problem to Wind Up in a Shelter
Reality: Most dogs end up in shelters through no fault of their own. Common reasons include owners moving to no-pet housing, financial difficulties, underestimating the responsibility of dog ownership, and allergies.
Adoption Application
After you have found a cat or dog you would like to adopt, the next step is filling out and submitting the application.
*If you have any questions about the process, please call the shelter at 609-309-5214.