Please read our adoption process BEFORE applying to make sure you agree with our terms.
Paws Rescue League has over 980 successful adoptions.
Our Adoption Process
If you would like to adopt, please submit an application. Our volunteers do their best to respond within 3-5 business days, but can take up to 7 days. If you do not hear from us, please refrain from emailing. The dog you applied for may currently be pending adoption, your application will be completed when it is your turn in line. The time frame for approval can take about 1 week depending on your responsiveness, as well as veterinarian hours, how quickly your personal reference respond, and landlord responses. Speaking to everyone beforehand to let them know you are looking to adopt a dog, and to return our call, will help speed up the process!
Applicants are processed in the order we receive the application, as well as the demand for the dog(s) selected. Many of our dogs have multiple applications. Each applicant is placed in line for the dog specified, in the order we receive the application. If you only select one specific dog, your application may not be the only one we have received for that specific dog, and that dog may be pending adoption. To help match you with a dog of your choice, we recommend choosing at least 3 dogs that you have interest in meeting, and potentially adopting. We are a 100% volunteer-based rescue and will reach out to you as soon as possible!
We appreciate your patience and understanding!
If you would like to adopt, please submit an application. Our volunteers do their best to respond within 3-5 business days, but can take up to 7 days. If you do not hear from us, please refrain from emailing. The dog you applied for may currently be pending adoption, your application will be completed when it is your turn in line. The time frame for approval can take about 1 week depending on your responsiveness, as well as veterinarian hours, how quickly your personal reference respond, and landlord responses. Speaking to everyone beforehand to let them know you are looking to adopt a dog, and to return our call, will help speed up the process!
Applicants are processed in the order we receive the application, as well as the demand for the dog(s) selected. Many of our dogs have multiple applications. Each applicant is placed in line for the dog specified, in the order we receive the application. If you only select one specific dog, your application may not be the only one we have received for that specific dog, and that dog may be pending adoption. To help match you with a dog of your choice, we recommend choosing at least 3 dogs that you have interest in meeting, and potentially adopting. We are a 100% volunteer-based rescue and will reach out to you as soon as possible!
We appreciate your patience and understanding!
Ways of adopting
We are a foster based rescue, we DO NOT have a facility where we house dogs in kennels. We are not a government or private run shelter. All of our dogs are placed in loving FOSTER HOMES, which we feel is best for all of our dogs, as they get one on one attention, and are living in the comfort of a home. It also helps us learn how each dog would do in a home setting, and which type of home would be best for each dog.
Below are some ways of adopting a dog from Paws Rescue League Inc. (after application approval):
- Adopting before a dog transports : Due to the growing amount of dogs that need rescue, we may not always have an available foster open. Fosters are volunteers, and there are very limited available open foster homes. After working with your adoption coordinator, you MAY be able to adopt a dog who is scheduled to arrive at an upcoming transport - *Speak with your coordinator, as not every dog is available for this type of adoption.*
- Adopting a dog who is currently in a New England foster home : We are foster based, and we do require adopters to meet the dog where the foster home is located, or near the fosters home. We do not require our fosters to travel as they are already voluntarily giving rescue dogs a safe temporary home, and volunteering much effort and time into their foster dogs to get them ready for FURever homes. Applicants/Adopters must agree to meet with the foster family. When you meet with a dog, you can choose to adopt at that time, OR if you are unsure, we allow adopters 24 hours from the time of the meeting, to make a decision on adoption the dog or not adopting the dog. Please remember we have a line for each dog, and we do not want our dogs to loose out on a good home, due to the dog being held up for long periods of time.
- Adopting from an adoption event : We are partnered with Petco, Petsmart, and a few other organizations/Businesses who host our adoption events. Approved adopters are able to meet the dogs at the event and take their new furry family member home the same day, from that event. If you are NOT approved and attend one of our events, and see a dog you would like to adopt, we suggest submitting an application IMMEDIATELY, as there may be others in line for that dog.
- Foster to Adopt : A select few dogs are available for foster to adopt. If you are interested in fostering before adopting, please let your Adoption Coordinator know and we will guide you in the process. Foster to adopt runs 3-5 days. *Not all of our dogs are available for this program, please ask your adoption coordinator if the dog(s) you're interested in are available to Foster to Adopt Program.
What does the adoption fee include?
The adoption fee is not a sale price, but a reimbursement for veterinary/essential care and transport costs for each dog incurred by the rescue, as well as a small donation to help save more dogs.
Adoption fees, transport fees, and quarantine fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
Adoption fee covers:
Paws Rescue League Inc. is not responsible for spay/neuter costs for dogs under 6 months of age.
Adoption fee covers:
- Age appropriate vaccinations. Dhpp, Bordatella, Coronavirus, Lyme, Lepto
- General wellness exam(s)
- Heartworm or 4DX testing
- Parvo/Giardia test
- Fecal/Parasitology test
- Any additional vetting that may be recommended by our partnered veterinarians
- Rabies vaccination/Certificate/Tag
- Parasite Prevention
- Heart Worm Prevention
- Spay/Neuter (Age Appropriate)
- Microchip and Microchip Registration
- Cost to foster
- Health Certificate for transport
- Transport fee
- Quarantine fee ( *IF APPLICABLE)
Paws Rescue League Inc. is not responsible for spay/neuter costs for dogs under 6 months of age.
The Vetting Process
All of our applicants are screened to the best of our ability. It is important to complete the application to the fullest and provide details! Please be as accurate as possible, so we can work with you to match you with the best dog for your family and home!
All of our applicants are screened to the best of our ability. It is important to complete the application to the fullest and provide details! Please be as accurate as possible, so we can work with you to match you with the best dog for your family and home!
Age Requirement: Must be 21 years or age or older, If under 21 years old, guardians must apply, or owner of the home must apply, and must also be present for the home visit.
References:
All references will be called. Please make sure to provide 3 NON-relative references.
Vet Check:
Please call your vet ahead of time to let them know we will be verifying the current animals in your home are up-to-date. If your vet cannot be reached, please be ready to provide past/current vet paperwork for dogs in the home.
Landlord Check:
If you do not own your home (we check!), please make sure your landlord can confirm they allow pets in the home and/or if there are any restrictions on size, breed, or number of pets allowed.
Virtual or IN Person Home Visit:
Virtual and IN Person home visits are a quick tour of the main living spaces of your home and yard. We want to ensure our dogs are going to safe and loving environments, that are suitable for their size/breed, and that you are prepared to bring home a furry family member. We will Also discuss what you are looking for in a dog, so we can work with you to find the best match for your family. Please make sure all decision making adult are available during the call. *Wether you have a Virtual or In Person home visit depends on location, and availability of our volunteers, as well as your availability.
References:
All references will be called. Please make sure to provide 3 NON-relative references.
Vet Check:
Please call your vet ahead of time to let them know we will be verifying the current animals in your home are up-to-date. If your vet cannot be reached, please be ready to provide past/current vet paperwork for dogs in the home.
Landlord Check:
If you do not own your home (we check!), please make sure your landlord can confirm they allow pets in the home and/or if there are any restrictions on size, breed, or number of pets allowed.
Virtual or IN Person Home Visit:
Virtual and IN Person home visits are a quick tour of the main living spaces of your home and yard. We want to ensure our dogs are going to safe and loving environments, that are suitable for their size/breed, and that you are prepared to bring home a furry family member. We will Also discuss what you are looking for in a dog, so we can work with you to find the best match for your family. Please make sure all decision making adult are available during the call. *Wether you have a Virtual or In Person home visit depends on location, and availability of our volunteers, as well as your availability.
