ADOPTION APPLICATION AND PROCESS
You are interested in adopting. NOW WHAT?!
If you are interested in meeting a DOG please email our Dog Adoption Team, at [email protected] and let us know which dog you are interested in. We will tell you if that dog is still available for adoption. If he or she has already been adopted, the adoption coordinator can talk with you about other available dogs and work to find a perfect fit! We have a mandatory adoption application (available for download above) including vet and personal references, which every potential adopter must complete. Once we have reviewed your application, we will schedule a meet and greet with the adoptable dog!
If you are interested in meeting a CAT please email our Cat Adoption Team at [email protected] with any questions. Please fill out the cat adoption application (found above) — we will be in touch to schedule a meeting if references/vet checks all look good!
**Please note: in addition to completing a satisfactory application and vet check, we require that all adopters have spayed/neutered all pets, current & past. Thank you for understanding our dedication to reduce stray dog and cat populations.
FAQ
Q: I saw your adoptable cats on Petfinder/Facebook. Do you rescue cats too?
A: YES! We rescue dogs AND cats from Puerto Rico. Please see some of the cats we have available under the tab above. We post all of them on Petfinder as well. Some cats will be in-store at PetSmarts in Braintree, or Walpole, Massachusetts as well as at our shelter in Holbrook. Massachusetts. For more information on our feline friends, please contact: [email protected]
Q: What is the adoption fee for dogs and cats?
A: Our adoption fee for dogs is $450. This goes toward the cost of veterinary care and transportation for the dog. Our adoption fee for cats are between $200-$300. The adoption donation goes toward the cost of veterinary care and transportation for the animal. All of our animals are spayed/neutered (unless they are a very young puppy or kitten), fully vetted, and vaccinated.
Q: I saw one of your dog's or cat's picture, and I would be interested in meeting this precious angel. What should I do?
A: The first step is to complete the appropriate dog application or cat application (found under tabs above). The questions and reference checks are designed to ensure our dogs and cats go to their perfect forever homes and also help us work together to find the best match for you. Our application process includes calling two personal references who are not related to you, as well as veterinary and landlord references, if applicable. We strive to get back to you within 24 hours of receiving the completed application should we have any questions.
If an application is accepted, we will then set up a meet and greet for you and the adoptable dog or cat. Everyone who lives in your home must be present. If all goes well, we can finalize the adoption within 24 hours and you can bring home your new family member!
Q: We're not ready to adopt a dog or cat at this exact moment, but can we submit an application ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can submit an application for approval at any time, you do not need to have a specific dog or cat in mind. We can talk with you to find out what kind of dog or cat you're looking for. When the time is right, we will already have your approved application on file.
Q: Can you 'cat test' your dogs or 'dog test' your cats?
A: We are a foster-based rescue, so it's possible the dog may have lived with cats or cats have lived with dogs. If so, we can let you know how that interaction went. In the case where the dog has not been around cats before or vice versa, we may be able to test the interaction in your home. This would only be done after an adoption application was approved. We encourage very slow, safe introductions between all animals.
Q: Can you tell me about the dog's or cat's personality?
A: When each dog or cat arrives from Puerto Rico, they immediately go to their foster home or our cat shelter. We can provide information on the dog's or cat's personality based on information we receive from the foster family. Paws4Survival cannot make any guarantees about how the dog or cat will behave once they are in their new home. We always recommend adoptive families be patient and loving, and be prepared to help their new furry family member become acclimated to their new home and environment.
Q: What is your policy about returning a dog or cat?
A: Every adoptive family will sign an Adoption Contract. Our contract requires that any dog/cat adopted from Paws4Survival MUST be returned to us and not placed with another family or shelter. We will always take a dog or cat back, regardless of the reason, and regardless of how long ago the adoption took place.