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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to apply and be approved to adopt?

DOG COMPUTER

Submitting an application is the first step in our adoption process.

You will be contact within 24 hours by our Adoption Coordinator
- The speed of which your application is processed and completed depends solely on the accuracy and information you provide.

Things we verify:
- Your residence - if you lease your home you must provide proof/approval you may have a dog and note any size or breed restrictions.
- Perform a veterinary check on current and previous dogs.
- If you do not provide accurate information on your application, this will delay approval.

Once residence and veterinary informaton is verified, you will be put in contact with the foster caregiver, and they will arrange a time for you (and your dog) to meet their foster dog.

After meeting the dog, you and the foster have 24 hours consider if the dog is the right match for you.

Why do I have to fill out an application to meet a dog?

All of our dogs live with our volunteer foster caregivers in their homes.

For safety and for the convenience of our fosters, all applicants must be pre-screened and preliminarily approved to save you and our volunteers time. The general public is always invited to attend one of the many meet and greets we have each month.

What are the Adoption Fees for?

shydogWe are a foster home based organization, providing our dogs with the highest level of medical care, and we do not receive any funding from the city, county, or state. Our adoption fees only cover about 50% of our medical expenses. The rest comes from fundraisers and the generosity of our donors.

Our adoption fees are $220 and $250 for puppies. The annual expense to own a dog and properly provide for a minimum of approximately $800 - 1200, with no illnesses, or emergencies. Here is a breakdown on what you can expect when adopting a dog regardless where you adopt your dog. We believe if you do not have sufficient funds to pay our fees, it may not financially be the best time to adopt.

We only release dogs and puppies for adoption that are healthy and have been treated for any injury or illness at no additional cost to the adopting family. We rely on soley on donations and fundraiser to make up the difference between the adoption donation fee and the actual cost of care.

Below is a general breakdown of the most common expenses we encounter rescuing our dogs. Please keep in mind that most dogs and puppies come to us with medical issues that need immediate attention, and those expenses exceed our adoption fee.

EXPENSE AND CARE FOR ONE "HEALTHY" DOG

  • Exam $30-$35
  • Micro Chip & Implant $10
  • Heartworm Test $30 (All dog are tested on intake.)
  • Fecal test: $15-25 (All dog are tested and de-worm on intake.)
  • De-worming: $10 - $30 (at least once, some dogs require additional treatment)
  • DHPP-L $12 - $25 (each pup gets up to three vaccines during their time with us)
  • Bordetella $10 - $16
  • Rabies $20
  • Spay/Neuter Average: $110 - $220
  • Preventatives for one Month: $13
  • New Collar: $10

OTHER COMMON TESTS PERFORMED

  • Urine Analysis $40-50
  • Skin Scraping $30-$40
  • Full Blood Panel $125
  • Antibotics $10 - $50

ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES AND SURGERIES OUR DOGS MAY REQUIRE

  • FHO (Femeral Head Ostomy) $600 - $1000
  • DENTAL $250
  • Treatment for Parvo $1200 - $3000
  • Orthopedic/Broken Leg $600 - $1500
  • Treatment for Demodex/Sarcoptic Mange $100 - $200
  • Allergies/Special Food: $35 - $40 a week

HEARTWORM TREATMENT

  • Post-Treatment Medication/Testing and X-rays, including 30 days pre-treatment with doxycycline: $100-135
  • Treatment Amounts Vary Based on the dog's weight. Normally $100 for each 10 pounds the dog weighs up to a maxium of usually $700.

PUPPIES/LITTERS

puppyWe provide superb medical care and premium, wholesome food for our puppies and nursing mothers, and are cared for in the clean, safe enviornment of a foster home. The cost for veterianary care for puppies is much greater than for an adult dog and why our adoption donation is high for young puppies than adult dogs.

Depending on the number of puppies and weight/size of the nursing mother, food cost approximately $50-70 a week. ADR pays for and provides the food for foster caregivers who volunteer to care for these very special dogs.

When you increase your intake, you also increase the possibility of saving dogs that have greater medical needs. Dogs hit by cars with broken limbs, dogs who have been medically neglected, dogs who have been emotionally neglected, and those who have suffered at the hands of cruelty.

Below is an example of the medical expenses we incur on a regular bases for each.

  • 26 dogs treated for heartworms: $12,000-$15,000
  • Orthopedic surgeries: $5,000 - $8,000
  • Spay/Neuters: $26,000 - $30,000
  • Monthly Preventatives: $7,500 - $8,000
  • Emergency/Hospital Stays: $20,000
  • Behavior/Rehab: $1,500 - $3,000

Though our donors are generous and have always helped when we've asked, in order for us to choose dogs other than the dogs that are young and healthy, we must increase our adoption fees to cover our medical costs. We are all volunteers, no one gets paid, and we work very diligently to keep other expenses down.

Does ADR do trial adoptions?

No. We do not allow trial visit/trial adoptions.

Before the dog can be left or stay in your home, a contract must be signed and the adoption fee paid. This ensures you understand the responsibility of pet ownership and also releases ADR of all liability regarding the behavior and medical needs of the dog.

How soon do I have to be ready to bring my dog home?

We require you be ready to accept your new dog into your home within 2-3 days of your home check.

Because we save dogs from shelter that have a high euthanasia outcome we need to get our dogs started off in their new life so that it will open up a foster home for the next dog that is at risk. After the match is made we feel that 2-3 days gives you plenty of time to get a crate, toys, food and any other items you may need to get your home ready for your new family member.

How soon must I set up my home visit once the foster contacts me?

We require that you meet in person with the foster within 5 days of being contacted by them.

The reason we ask you to meet with the foster and have your home check is because we may have multiple applications for the same dog and we feel it is unfair to the dog and other potential homes to have to wait any longer.

I live out of state. Can I still adopt from ADR?

dog in backseat of car looking out of the windowYes, with some additonal conditions for approval.

  • You must be willing to come to Austin to meet the dog and the foster in person
  • If you have a dog, you must bring your dog with you
  • You must meet all of the usual criteria for adoption
  • Provide proof of residence
  • Provide photos/videos of your home and yard
  • Transportation back to your home must be made by car unless the dog is small enough to ride in the passenger area/seat of the plane with you. Dogs not are allowed to be transported in the cargo area of the plane. No exceptions.
Will my dog really be housetrained?

Blondie4 WebYes and maybe. Dogs do not "generalize" like humans do so let’s look at things from a human perspective.

You’ve just landed a new job and part of that job is to learn new software. Since you have never used this software, they give you a technical manual to read over the weekend. You can read it while sitting in a chair in your living room, outside under your favorite shade tree, or while sitting in a busy airport.
No matter where we are you still know how to read and comprehend the words.

A dog's brain works differently than ours. They take in all enviormental destractions (new smells, new people, new everything) much more than humans do, so it's almost like learning the behavior all over again. But the good news is, if they've been successful with the behavior in the past, they quickly re-learn the behavior in their new environment.

So the best thing to do is the start with housetraining 101.

  • Limit access to one room at at time
  • If they are going to be unattended, put them in their crate
  • Keep them close by attaching their leash to you or your chair so they can't go off without you.
  • Take them outside often and go with them. Have a yummy treat handy or give them tons of happy praise for doing their business outside.

In a matter of days, your dog should be successful in regaining the housetraining they had in their foster home!

How do I know what type of microchip my dog has?

Microchip placement picThis is a diagram where your dogs microchip was implanted. As time goes on, the chip can move down their back or legs, so it is very important when scanning a dog for a chip, you scan the entire body.

Your dog may have one of several brands of micro chips.

What is the difference between adopting from ADR versus a shelter?

waco female2First, we would never discourage anyone from adopting from a shelter. We recommend taking your time and get to know the dog as best you can. We want those dogs to have permanent forever homes too.

The main difference is our dogs are in everyday homes, we learn more about their behavior, health, and personality because they are in an enviornment just like yours. We hold each dog long enough to know if they may have contracted a disease while in the shelter. In most cases, upon exam by our veterinarians, we find out if the dog may have any long-term health concern or illness. In those cases, we always share anything we know about the dog.

We get to know the dogs habits, likes and dislikes and do our best to make good matches. If once approved to adopt, and we believe your situation may not be the best for the dog you want to adopt, we'll be honest enough to tell you. We are not only looking out for our dogs best interests but our adopters too.

Why can't I leave my dog outside?

If you are looking for a dog to leave outside in your yard, regardless how shady your yard is is or now nice the weather is, please visit other rescues or shelters that do not have our requirements.

All of our dogs are indoor FAMILY dogs, and our volunteers have worked very hard to make them great indoor companions They have become accustom to and expect to be and indoor companion.

Please remember 99% of our dogs were found by animal control running the streets. It is extremely unlikely they escaped from an indoor home. Instead they were left outdoors where they became lonely and bored and found a way to get out.

Once you have had your dog for a few months, they have bonded to you and your family, it should be fine allowing them to go outside while you are home to check on them and supervise them, as long as your dog is not a digger or fence climber/jumper.

Why do you require I crate my dog?

no crate2We want to set you and your new family member up for success! The dog you are adopting is already use to being crated when their foster family leaves their home and at night.no crate1

Crates provide a place for the dog to feel safe and comfortable, especially during the transition of moving into a new home. Your new dog will be stressed, no matter how "relaxed" they may seem. Not putting the dog in stressful situations the first few weeks will help you and you dog fit in to your home much sooner.

It is common for dogs to briefly forget their housetraining in a new enviroment. Use a crate in the beginning when you cannot closely supervise the dog is a great way to not let them make any mistakes.

Some dogs are "chewers" when left alone and crating your dog prevents not only possibly distruction of your couch or other things, but can also save you thousands of dollars in possible medical bills, or worse, the death of your dog from ingesting a foreign body.

If you do not crate your dog... this is what you may come home to: 

no crate3  no crate4   

So please always crate your dog!

yes crateno crate Z1

 

Why Spay/Neuter?

10 lab puppies

IF THIS ISN'T REASON ENOUGH... READ ON.

Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life.

Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.

Neutering provides major health benefits for your male.

Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.

Your spayed female won't go into heat.

While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season.

Your male dog won't want to roam away from home.

An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.

Your neutered male will be much better behaved.

Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.

Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.

Don't use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.

It is highly cost-effective.

The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with the neighborhood stray!

Spaying and neutering your pet is good for the community.

Stray animals pose a real problem in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause car accidents, damage the local fauna and frighten children. Spaying and neutering packs a powerful punch in reducing the number of animals on the streets.

Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth.

Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is not a good lesson for your children—especially when so many unwanted animals end up in shelters. There are tons of books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a more responsible way.

Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation.

Every year, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.

Information Provided by ASPCA

I"ve Found a Dog, What Do I Do?
  1. Take the dog to the nearest vet or shelter to see if they are microchipped. If the dog is chipped, the vet will be able to give you information how to contact the owner. Sometimes the the chip has not been enrolled but the micro chip company should be able to tell you which vet or shelter the dog came from.
  2. If possible, take the dog to the shelter so that they can take a photo of the dog and list it on their website. If you are unable to take the dog, call your local shelters to report the dog found and make sure to give them as much information as possible, including a microchip ID if you have it. Ask for the ID # or a confirmation # for the dog you report.
  3. Post information on Craigslist: Breed, markings, location where found. Leave some detail out so the owner can identify the dog and NEVER turn the dog over without some form of proof the dog is theirs (micro chip number, photos, veterinary records, etc.) Not everyone has as good of intentions as you do.
  4. If you have a Neighborhood Newsletter or Facebook page, post the information there.
  5. Talk to you neighbors and post a flyers in your neighborhood and surrounding areas
  6. Contact Lost Dogs of Texas and they will create a poster/flyer for you for free.
  7. If possible, wait a few days before taking the dog to the shelter. After 3 or 4 days if you have not heard from anyone and you can not keep the dog, take the dog to a shelter. It may be that the owner has been looking for the dog there.
  8. If you decide to keep the dog, make sure you have exhausted the above methods.