Frequently Asked Questions -Adopting

Frequently Asked Questions about Adopting from LPR

Where can we visit the dogs?

We do not have a physical location where dogs are kept, so appointments must be made once you are approved through the rescue to meet any dog that you are interested in adopting through Lucky Pup Rescue. We believe in a family-based approach to rescue, and therefore we place the dogs in foster homes. We can learn so much about their behavior and needs, and this helps to ensure a great transition into their forever families. Once you have gone through the approval process, we require that your whole family (humans and dogs) meet the dog you'd like to adopt, and if you have children or other dogs we strongly encourage you to meet more than once so that you can be very sure. We expect that you will drive to the foster parents' location to meet the dogs, and this can be anywhere in New England.

Why can't you tell me if I am "first in line" for a dog?

We can't "hold" a dog until you are approved through the rescue. Many people tell us they are "in love with" the dog but then they don't follow through with the application process. That's not fair to the dog and other applicants. Some rescues charge a fee to apply for their dogs; we choose not to do this but we've considered it many times because people sometimes apply a whole bunch of places and adopt from the rescue that gets a dog to them first - now we've wasted a whole bunch of time that could have been spent on applications for serious adopters. We process the applications in the order that they are received and the speed is affected by many factors - maybe your vet needs permission and we have to make several phone calls or emails to get your approval, or your references don't return our calls, or you are away from email and haven't replied to questions, etc. And yes, we do get busy. Dog rescue is our volunteer position for every one of us, and we all work other jobs, have families and our own pets.

Why can't I meet the dog before I apply?

It's not fair to you and your family to get excited about a dog you've met, and then we can't approve your application for the dog (maybe you don't have the right situation for that dog - too much alone time, current pets and that pet are not a positive match, etc). The dogs are fostered in private homes, so our Board policy requires approval first.

What is your adoption fee, and what is included?

Our adoption fee is $350 for dogs that are under 6 months of age. $325 for dogs between 6 months and 6 years of age, and $250 for dogs that are over 7 years of age and older. This fee includes:

Spay or neuter if the dog is old enough and able to be altered
All up-to-date core vaccinations - rabies, distemper combo, bordatella
Negative "4DX" test (heartworm, lyme, erlichia and anaplasma) if the dog is 6 months old or older.
Transportation to New England if applicable
Current health certificate and any veterinary care required up to the point of adoption

Puppies less than 6 months old who have not been altered require an additional deposit of $100, which will be refunded upon proof of spay or neuter. This is very infrequent in our rescue and you will be notified if this is the case. There are rare cases where a dog is not spayed or neutered because of a medical condition or age, and we will discuss this with you in advance.

Is the fee negotiable?

We’re sorry but we just can’t haggle over the fee. The vast majority of our dogs cost us more than the adoption fee and we can’t continue to save more lives without funds. No one in our organization draws a salary and we do not have a physical location (only a strong network of foster homes) so your fee is going directly to the care of every dog in our rescue. If you've priced veterinary care recently you will know that the adoption fee doesn't cover our expenses in most all cases.

I’ve heard rescue dogs can have “issues”. What problems will I face? Will she bite someone, hurt my kids or eat the cat?

We do all we can to gather information and make the best possible match but can not prepare for every single situation. Your calm, assertive, educated leadership will go a long way towards nipping a problem in the bud. You need to understand that there are thousands (yes thousands) of dogs euthanized in this country every day. The dogs that we take are the “best of the best” and they were spared because someone saw potential in them. Of over 500 dogs we have taken in, we have had aggressive instances in less than 5% and almost all of these can be traced back to human error. That being said, here are some things to know:

ALL rescue dogs are a flight risk, especially at first. Do NOT expect your dog to be off-leash unless in a securely fenced yard – even then you need to supervise in case of digging or jumping. No dog should be unsupervised on a run or tieout. A long nylon lead is a great investment if you want to be able to play in an un-fenced area or go hiking.
Shy or fearful behavior can occur in the beginning or with any new situation. Patience goes a long way. Using force or “tough love” is not going to get you over these hurdles any quicker. Positive, reward-based training leads to better outcomes.
Rescue dogs as well as pets from shelters, breeders, and pet stores ALL can have issues that crop up. Don’t believe the myth that you have to adopt a puppy because you can “train them right” from the beginning. Adult dogs can be VERY trainable. They are so grateful and willing to please that many of them take to housetraining, crate-training, and obedience training very quickly.

I have children. Will I be excluded from adopting?

NO! We think kids and dogs are a natural match, but we are very careful what dogs we place in your home for obvious reasons. Teaching your kids to respect and nurture your dog will pay dividends throughout their life! However, there is no substitute for adult supervision, and the responsibility for care and training falls squarely on the shoulders of the adults in the home. Do not use a dog to “teach a lesson” to your kids, but do use this opportunity to foster a love of all creatures and make it rewarding for the whole family. At no time should the safety of the dog or your children be compromised.

I don’t have a fenced yard. Will I be excluded from adopting from your rescue?

No you won’t. We don’t see a fence as a substitute for walks, playing, and other types of exercise. Your dog needs to be stimulated intellectually as well as physically and walks on a leash will help you bond and learn more about each other. We’d rather see them out walking than stuck in a fenced yard. Dogs should not be left outside while you are not home. Chained or tied-out dogs are sitting ducks for other animals, theft, accidents and behavior issues related to boredom.

I don’t know what to do about this behavior. Where can I turn?

Our relationship with you doesn’t have to end because you have adopted the dog. We have resources that we’re happy to share and we’re gathering a lot of “on-the-job training” with different challenges. We’re still here for you!

What if the dog is not working out?

We do our best to facilitate a good match, but we don’t always have complete information, especially if the dog does not have experience in a home or family. There is always an adjustment period while you are figuring each other out and we will help in any way we can. After that period if there are still concerns we will re-home the dog but please understand it can take time to find an appropriate and available foster home. Our primary goal is to keep everyone, including the dog, safe. We also don’t want them bouncing from home to home – there have already been so many adjustments in their lives! Our fee is nonrefundable, but we may offer you the option to adopt another dog from us in the future. You may NOT re-home the dog on your own. You will have signed a legally binding contract requiring you to contact us and return the dog to Lucky Pup Rescue.

Why do you call my vet?

It is important that all dogs in the home be up to date on the "core vaccines" recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - rabies, the distemper combo (or 7-in-1) , and bordatella (kennel cough). as well as being up to date on heartworm testing and prevention. Cats in the household need to be up to date on rabies at minimum. It is the law that indoor and outdoor pets are vaccinated, so it's not just our rule. This policy protects our dogs and yours so they are not transmitting anything to each other and costing you money.

Why should I adopt a dog from Lucky Pup Rescue?

Our sweeties are worth every penny and every minute. They are so grateful to us. They do not dwell on the past like humans; they live in the moment and provide unconditional love. They are a joy to work with, and seeing the results of your hard work is very rewarding. We strictly follow all laws and guidelines for importation and adoption of dogs, and we will work with you even after the adoption to ensure a long, healthy and rewarding experience for you and the dog.

We don't believe in adopting out dogs "sight unseen" - we require the family to meet the dog before adoption (including any dogs in your family). We follow all the importation laws and rules and we do our best to insure health and safety of all our dogs.

I’ve read this far and still want to adopt. What’s next?

Please, feel free to fill out our Lucky Pup Adoption Form. If you have any more questions, you are welcome to Contact Us.