So You Want To Adopt?

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Please Think Before You Leap

If you're like most of us, falling in love with an adorable doggo is easy. And no wonder! Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life's greatest joys. Dogs, cats, and other pets give us unconditional loyalty and acceptance, provide constant companionship, and even help relieve stress after a hard day's work.

Choosing to adopt a new dog is a big commitment. They need your love, patience, and understanding as many of our dogs come from unfortunate situations. Adoption requires a lot of time, money, and commitment-over 15 years worth in many cases. A Spot’s Last Stop Canine Rescue volunteer would be happy to speak to you about what it means to bring a dog into your home, and if it is the right decision for you. 

Things To Know

The fact that you're thinking about adopting from a rescue is AMAZING! But before you make that decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to think over these questions:
  • Why do you want a pet? It's amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they get a pet. Adopting a pet just because it's "the thing to do" or because the kids have been pining for a puppy usually ends up being a big mistake. Don't forget that dogs may be with you 10, 15 years or longer.
  • Do you have time for a dog? Dogs and puppies cannot be ignored just because you're tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, training and companionship every day of every year. Many dogs in rescues and  shelters are there because their owners didn't realize how much time it took to care for them.
  • Can you afford a dog? The costs of dog ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, boarding, routine veterinary care, prevenative care, grooming, toys, food, and other expenses add up quickly.
  • Are you prepared to deal with special problems and situtations that can occur when owning a dog?   Accidents from animals who aren't yet housetrained, chewed up remote, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.
  • Can you have a dog where you live? Many rental communities don't allow pets, and most of the rest have restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home.
  • Is it a good time for you to adopt a dog? If you have kids under six years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a companion (but fostering is a great way to leaarn). Pet ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. If you're a student, in the military, or travel frequently as part of your work, waiting until you settle down is wise.
  • Are your living arrangements suitable for the pup you have in mind?  Dog size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as terriers are very active-they require a great deal of exercise to be calm, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, some big dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. A herding breed is happiest with space and a job while a doodle need brain activity.  Before adopting a dog, do some research! That way, you'll ensure you choose an animal that will fit into your lifestyle and your living arrangements.
  • Do you know who will care for your pup while you're away on vacation? You'll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.
  • Will you be a responsible dog owner? Keeping you dog healthy and up to date, training your dog, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your dog love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and a safe home are other essentials.
  • Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the dog for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a dog, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime.

Our Policies

-In order to be eligible to adopt a dog from Spot’s Last Stop, you must be 21 years of age or older at the time of adoption.

-We require that the adopter either owns the home at which the dog will live, or else has secured permission from their landlord to own a dog.

-If you live with roommates or family, we ask that you discuss the adoption of a dog, and seriously take their feelings into consideration prior to beginning the adoption process.

-We require that all animals in the prospective adoptive family be spayed or neutered, up-to-date on rabies and distemper/parvo vaccines, and heartworm tested and on prevention.

-We will not adopt a dog to a home if it puts you over the city allowed animal limit, whatever that number may be.

-We require adoptive families to be aware of and agree to remain in compliance with the local leash/license laws for their hometown and surrounding cities.

-Every dog adopted from SLS must and shall reside indoors, in the adopter’s home, and live as a family member and companion only.

-Dogs need to receive daily exercise/ playtime. We ask our adoptive families to provide each dog with an appropriate amount of daily exercise/playtime throughout their lifetime

-The adopter shall ensure that the dog receives proper veterinary care, which includes, at a minimum, an annual visit (i.e. “wellness exam”), sick visits, and any additional care on an as-needed basis in following with the veterinarian’s recommendations

-The dog shall not be subjected to cosmetic surgery of any kind (i.e. tail docking, ear cropping, etc.) at any point throughout its lifetime.

Ready to Adopt?

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Apply to Adopt a Dog

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