Before You Adopt a Dog, Read the Adopter’s Guide

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To ensure a successful adoption, read the adopter’s guide and watch the apology video.

Before You Adopt… Read the Adopter’s Guide and Watch the Apology Video

Before you adopt, read the Adopter’s Guide and watch the Apology Video.

Both have been part of our adoption process since the beginning.

Step 1: Read the Adopter’s Guide

Your new dog will be a member of your family. If you can’t treat your dog as a member of your family, do NOT adopt a dog.

Click here to download the adopter’s guide.

If you can’t treat your dog as a member of your family, do NOT adopt a dog.

Step 2: Watch the Apology Video

The Apology Video, created by Becky Carlson

Step 3: Read Answers to Common Questions About Adopting

Have more questions before you apply? These cover what adopters ask us most.

The process and timeline

Cost and logistics

Choosing the right dog

After you apply

For a deeper dive into what happens after you bring your dog home, see our full Bringing Your Dog Home series.

Step 4: Learn About the Dog Adoption Process

To adopt a Dogs 2nd Chance dog, the adopter (you):

  1. Fills out the questionnaire
  2. Signs an Adoption Agreement
  3. Plans for your new family member to be kept inside
  4. Plans for medical, food, bedding and toy expenses
  5. Provides a complete and sturdy fence

Please keep in mind that the average cost to care for a large breed pet per year is approximately $800. This is for annual check-ups, food and monthly preventatives.

This amount could easily double or even triple should your dog become ill and need extensive tests, surgery or other treatments.

So please carefully consider if you are able and/or willing to invest this into your pet. If not, PLEASE wait to adopt!

Please carefully consider if you are able and/or willing to invest this into your pet. If not, PLEASE wait to adopt!

If the dog you are interested in is no longer available please list a 2nd choice or a description of your desired canine companion.

Please remember these dogs were stray or abandoned. We guess on their breed. We do not know their heritage.

Please do not expect your new family member to be perfect. The only perfect dog is a statue or stuffed toy. A rescued dog is forever grateful for being a loved part of your family.

Please do not expect your new family member to be perfect

PLEASE NOTE: Filling out an application DOES NOT guarantee an adoption. Adoptions are NOT done on first come, first serve, basis.

Generally applications are submitted online. Adopters are selected based upon the best match of the dog’s temperament and needs. We thoroughly evaluate all of the animals in our care and try very hard to match the right dog to the right person and situation. 

We reserve the right not to adopt if we feel it is not a good match.

We reserve the right not to adopt if we feel it is not a good match.

Dogs 2nd Chance:

  1. Checks vet and landlord references before adopting to anyone
  2. Spays/neuters
  3. Vaccinates
  4. Tests for heartworm (if old enough)
  5. Starts monthly heartworm and flea prevention
  6. Addresses medical needs including heartworm treatments
  7. Discloses all medication situations

Medical needs are addressed before adoption, including heartworm treatments. Although all of our animals are thoroughly evaluated, we cannot guarantee their health or temperament.

Unless special circumstances or behavioral characteristics exist all of our dogs require sturdy fences.

Thank you for considering adopting a Dogs 2nd Chance dog.

Not ready to adopt but still want to help rescue dogs? Consider fostering, volunteering, or donating to support our rescue work.