Steps to Adoption
There are several steps to adoption that all applicants must follow to meet or adopt a dog. How long this process takes usually depends on how quickly applicants respond when contacted. We are extremely busy so please be patient. Complete the online application when you are ready to adopt and be sure you can schedule time to do a telephone interview and the virtual home visit. Most of our dogs are in foster homes or boarding kennels. The list of our available dogs and their locations can be found at nationalpyr.org/adoptable-dogs.
Complete the Application
Submission of the online adoption application starts the adoption process. This gives us the information we need to start learning about your needs, lifestyle and requirements. You must complete our online application; we do not accept PDFs or email submissions. If you change your mind at any time during the adoption process, please let us know. We will not be offended if you write back and tell us. We will appreciate hearing from you and will remove your name from the list of potential adopters.
References and Interviewing
When an online application is received, you will receive an autoreply confirming receipt. It could then take a few days to be contacted by a volunteer to discuss the specifics of your application.
- Vet Check: We will check your veterinary references. Please include all veterinarians used over the past 5-10 years on your application even if you have not owned a dog, you have moved or your pet has died.
- Yard Photographs: You will hear from the adoption coordinator assigned to you when a successful vet check has been completed or if we have questions. The adoption coordinator assigned to your application will then request a complete set of photos or videos giving a 360 degree view of your yard, fencing, gates and latches.
- Phone Interview: The coordinator will then arrange a time to speak so they can learn more about you, your requirements and what dogs would be a good match for your family.
- Virtual Home Visit: It’s possible your coordinator may skip the telephone interview and email you to arrange the virtual home visit. VHVs are live, interactive interviews done during daylight hours on Facetime, Facebook messenger, Zoom or other application that allows you to move freely through your house and yard. Or, if a volunteer is in your area, we may make arrangements for them to come to your home. Either way, the volunteer will spend time visiting with you and learning more about your home and family to ensure we make the right match for you.
Assuming Ownership
Once you have been approved and a suitable dog has been agreed upon, your coordinator will work on the transport arrangements if needed. When the date of the dogs’ transfer has been decided, you will be emailed the contract and instructions for paying the adoption fee a few days in advance. Transport fees are included in the adoption fee.
Adoption Fees
Adoption fees vary by the age and location of the dog relative to the adopter. Fees include the cost of transport for dogs moved by the rescue. Many of our dogs are transported by paid transporters who charge as much as $200 to move a large breed dog hundreds of miles from locations in the South. These dogs also require a USDA health certificate which incurs fees for the certificate and a vet office visit. Dogs are vaccinated (rabies, distemper/parvo, bordatella), spayed or neutered (as age appropriate), tested for tick-borne diseases and treated (or under treatment). Adopters of puppies or young dogs who are placed on spay/neuter contracts receive $100 back when proof of spay or neuter is submitted. Since the annual upkeep of a large breed dog far exceeds the adoption fee, those who have concerns about the fee should reconsider acquiring a large breed dog whose annual care will be in the thousands of dollars. How much? Read this article to find out.
To Summarize
The adoption process starts with completing the adoption application and ends with signing the adoption contract and assuming ownership of the dog. As the new owner, you assume complete responsibility for the dog’s health and well-being. If for any reason the adoption does not work out, you must contact NGPR immediately as our contract states we will take back any dog whose adoption does not succeed.
This is a big dog, and a big responsibility. But we believe that you, like most Pyr owners, will find that the time and effort you spend will be more than rewarded by your wonderful dog’s lifelong love and devotion to you.
