LOOKING TO ADOPT A SHELTER DOG?
If you see a dog on our "Adoptable Dogs" listing who may fit as your new family member, please fill out our FIND MY NEXT BEST FRIEND form to begin the adoption process. We're careful about who adopts a dog or puppy because all of the dogs at our events have come from shelters or pounds who are forced to euthanize for space reasons. Most of the dogs haven't had a great beginning but between us we can make sure they have a joyful ending!
Please Note: The adoption process at Dog Days events is not a short period of time - please plan on at least 4 hours to complete the adoption process.
This is an overview of the adoption process at our weekend events:
PRE-SCREENING (Before the Event Weekend or During)
(1) Before the event weekend you fill in the form listed above and you'll be contacted by someone on our Adoption team. They will check your personal and vet references and also do a background check for any animal related criminal charges. If this has to be done at the event site we can do so but it will take longer than walking through with a completed application.
PICK A LINE
(2) If you've received confirmation online from our adoption coordinator before the event weekend, please print it and bring it to the line called "Pre-screened". If you've not applied yet please go to the "Walk-In" line.
ARRIVE AND TAKE A NUMBER PLEASE
(3) When you get to the event site head over to the main entrance and take a number from either the "Pre-screened" line or the "Walk-in" line – you'll be called to speak momentarily with an adoption counselor before you walk into the adoption area.
ADOPTION COUNSELOR REVIEW
(4) Adoption counselors will give you a brief overview of the event and a checklist to help guide you through the site and the adoption process.
EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF DOGS FROM SHELTERS!
(5) Walk through our adoption area and know that each of the dogs here would have been put to sleep if not for adopters like you! If you've found a dog you would like to spend some time with ask the volunteer with the cowboy hat on (we call them "Rangers") to give you some information on the dog and arrange for you to visit. The Ranger will put a dot on the dog's kennel card and take your name if you want to interview for a possible adoption.
INTERVIEW WITH ADOPTION COUNSELOR
(6) Once you have a dog in mind for adoption you can interview with an adoption team member to see if the dog could be a good fit for your family and lifestyle. If the interviewer approves the adoption you'll see the representative from the rescue for an adoption contract.
CONTRACT SIGNING
(7) The representative from the rescue will go over the adoption contract with you and collect whatever fee they're charging for the adoption (different groups charge different fees not to exceed $385 - Dog Days does not collect or receive any money for adoptions).
VET CHECK
(8) Our event vet will go over your dog's files to answer any questions you may have or point out any observations.
TRAINER CHECK
(9) The on site trainer will help you introduce your dog from home, if you have one and answer any questions you may have about crate training, general obedience or other issues.
FINAL CHECK OUT
(10) Once you've visited each of the above areas please return to the main entrance table and your dog will be brought up to you by the Ranger in charge – at that time we'll change his orange event bandana for a rainbow one (that means he's spoken for!) and we'll ring the bell signifying another shelter dog has found a loving home thanks to you! The check out volunteers will give you a bag with a small amount of the food your dog is currently eating so you can switch over slowly to avoid gastrointestinal problems. You may also schedule your home visit at this time and then you're done!
PLEASE CONSIDER:
We strongly encourage you to fill in the online form before the event weekend as we may not be able to reach your references or veterinarian during the weekend event hours. You may not adopt a dog without a veterinarian reference so best practice would be to get a letter from your vet on their letterhead stating you're a customer in good standing with respect to vetting requirements. Same day adoptions without a vet reference will not be possible unless a home visit has been done before the adoption.
Dogs are not adopted out "first come first served" but rather multiple applications for the same dog are reviewed for best scenario for the dog and the family adopting.
If you have your heart set on one dog please get your application in the Wednesday before the event weekend so we can begin checking references and show up at the event weekend at the beginning of the day on Saturday. We cannot hold dogs for potential adopters.
