| |||||||
|
Our goal is to match our dogs with the family that will be forever. Our application process is designed so that we can look for the home that best fits the dog. The application process consists of reviewing applications, veterinary checks and home visits. The time it takes depends on how many dogs we currently have in our care and the volume of applications we have received. We only accept applications for dogs listed on the available page not dogs that are still in foster care. You will only be contacted via email/phone if your application is selected by the review committee to be a good match for the dog applied for and you pass the veterinary reference check. Applicants that are not selected for the dog applied for will not be personally contacted, but will be notified that they were not selected. You must be at least 21 years of age to apply. We do not usually adopt to out of state applicants. The reason for this is if there is a need to return the dog for any reason we do not have any volunteers in the area to take them back in. We will consider out of state applicants on a case by case basis in the states of OK and LA only. We are not able to adopt to other states. Step 1 Application Submission Your application will help us better determine if the dog you have applied for is the right dog for you. Please try to be as detailed as possible in your answers. There is a $10 non-refundable application fee to apply. This helps off set some of the costs to care for our rescue dogs. Please be aware that by applying and paying the fee you are not guaranteed to be approved for adopting a dog. After we receive your application, please allow 2-3 weeks for processing. Once your vet and personal references have been checked and approved, someone will contact you to schedule a home visit. If your information was not approved, per our policies, you will receive an email, but no phone call. If you are renting, please provide your landlord information as we will be required to contact them to confirm eligibility of having a pet on premise and any restrictions the landlord may have regarding a pet. We do not adopt to homes with unaltered pets unless there is a medically acceptable reason for ownership of a non-altered pet. This will need to be documented via your vet and your application. We do not normally adopt out dogs under the age of 6 months to homes with children under the age of 10 years. Most dogs require a minimum transitional period of several weeks. The first few weeks may be challenging while your new dog adjusts to his/her new surroundings. Adding a new dog to the family upsets the balance of your current "pack" no matter how good the match. Your resident dogs will need time to adjust to your new dog and you may become stressed as a result. Please remember that we are here to help walk you through any difficulties you may encounter. We recommend that dogs go home at the beginning of a weekend or other time such as beginning of a vacation, when you will be home to help advance the adjustment period comfortably. Step 2 Veterinary Reference Check Please do not apply if the below information cannot be verified by your veterinarian. Your application will be denied if any of the below requirements are not met: Your vet must confirm that ALL dogs have been regularly on heartworm preventative, the entire time they have been in your care (unless there is a verifiable medical reason for ceasing heartworm preventative). Your vet must confirm ALL pets are altered (spayed/neutered) unless there is a medical or other acceptable reason for ownership of a non-altered pet. Your vet must confirm ALL pets have a consistent history of recommended immunizations, vaccinations, medications, and health checks/screenings. If you have a different immunization/vaccination/medication schedule with your veterinarian, tell us about it, and we'll be happy to consider it as we review your application. On your application, list the vet(s) that have the most current information regarding your pet(s). If you have additional information to share regarding the health of your pet(s), please note it in the "comments" section of your application. Please call the vet you have listed on your application and give them permission to release your information to us. Home Visit Upon approval of the veterinary reference check and personal references, you will be contacted and a home visit will be arranged. Please note that ALL family members must be present during the home visit. The home visit will be performed prior to adoption. No adoptions will be approved without a home visit. All homes must have an existing, secure fenced yard, with shade, access to water, and shelter so that the dog is protected from the weather when outside. Promises to fence in a yard are not accepted. We will make a second home visit if the fence has been replaced or repaired. Please note that the intent of our visit is not to see how clean your house is! The purpose of our visit is to see the environment that the dog will be living in, to ensure that adequate provisions are made for the dog's care and to discuss dog ownership with you. Step 3 Approval Once all reference checks (vet and landlord, where applicable) and the home visit have been completed, an adoption coordinator will contact you. If we have further questions or concerns, they will be discussed at that time. If the vet reference check and home visit prompt no further questions, and the adoption coordinator is confident that you can provide an excellent home for one of our dogs, a volunteer will notify you of your approval as soon as possible. SMRS is a 100% volunteer organization. Please allow two to three weeks to process and review your application. In most cases, applicants are approved or declined within 5-10 days. |
|
