The Adoption Process
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ADOPTING FROM A DISTANCE
We appreciate interest in our dogs from afar; HOWEVER, it is the responsibility of the adopter to manage the movement of the
adopted dog to its new home.
Often we can help but there is no guarantee, depending on time of year, people traveling, luck, etc.
If you cannot drive to pick up the new dog yourself, then you might consider flying to CO (Denver or Colorado Springs) and renting a car to drive
home. Or, flying in and flying back home. Flying with a dog is not cheap and it requires a veterinary health certificate, a kennel approved by the
airline, tranquilizer, plus cost of air fare. It also takes time for a volunteer to do the foot work (going to vet, buying a kennel, going to airport,
etc.). Also, temperatures must be over 45 degrees at both ends of the flight (wintertime) and under 85 degrees at both ends (summertime) if the dog
goes as cargo. If you are flying with the dog yourself then the temperatures are a little less restrictive.
We will not ask transporters who volunteer their time and money to move dogs from shelters to rescues to help move an adopted dog. That is the
responsibility of the adopter. Transporters give enough already. We do know several over-the-road truckers who will transport dogs if there is
space and schedules and destinations coordinate with your need to move a dog, but even they must be reimbursed with cash for their time and efforts
and for all that they save you in getting your new dog from Colorado. There is often room aboard a weekly transport from Denver to Kansas City but the
charge there is $75 - $100 (depending on gas prices), which the adopter will pay for.
If you are not conveniently close to Colorado, we are happy to connect you with other active Dalmatian Rescues in other parts of
the country. Again, we appreciate your interest in saving one of our dogs, but we don't have the time, money, nor ability to move the dog to you. You
must come to us. We ARE happy to help but only IF we can. Otherwise it is up to you to come get the dog.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
When finalizing the adoption you must submit the signed CONTRACT and adoption donation. The CONTRACT is NOT the same as the application!
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PLEASE NOTE
All of our dogs are provided with age appropriate vaccinations, spayed/neutered as needed, unless their health prevents it and we
make every effort to microchip them prior to adoption as well. If you have any questions about the health status/vaccinations of the dog you adopt,
please contact Beth White prior to scheduling a visit with your veterniarian.
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STEP ONE: BREED RESEARCH
Review the section on Essential Dalmatian Information in order to better understand the breed and the type of care
required. Be especially sure to read this article.
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STEP TWO: VIEW THE AVAILABLE DOGS
Browse the Available Dalmatians by clicking on the More Info button on the right end of the dog's information, which
will display a photo and a brief description of the dog.
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STEP THREE: SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Fill out the Adoption Application online and submit it. Submission does not mean
you are committed, but it begins the process. Our application is very detailed but we believe that it is necessary to better help us place the right Dalmatian with the
right family. So please be as complete and thorough as you possibly can in the free form responses. Also, please take the time to contact those people you provide as a
personal reference so that they will know before hand that someone from Dalmatian Rescue of Colorado will be calling them. Often, the references are taken completely by
surprise and don't call us back if they don't realize that you are serious about rescuing a Dalamatian. This only serves to slow the process.
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STEP FOUR: RESCUE COORDINATOR CONTACT
A Dalmatian Rescue coordinator will contact you as soon as possible to discuss your application and the dog you are interested in. Also, during this time a volunteer will
be contacting your veterinary and personal references.
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STEP FIVE: SCHEDULE AND CONDUCT A HOME VISIT
Once your references have been checked we will contact you to arrange a home visit. Home visits are required to ensure that your home is suitable for a Dalmatian and will
provide a safe and secure environment for the dog. It is not our intention to conduct a 'white glove' inspection of your housekeeping abilities. What we look for during
a home visit are things like potential choking hazards, poisons, escape avenues that the Dalmatian might find, comfort of the Dal, etc. Also during the home visit, the
volunteer will discuss your application and provide you with information about the breed, ask about your exercise plan for the Dalmatian, etc. This 'in person interview'
process allows us to better understand your needs and wants so that we can match the right dog to your situation and evironment.
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STEP SIX: MEET THE POTENTIAL ADOPTEES
Now that your home visit has been completed and everything is on track, the next step in the adoption process is to actually meet the dog or dogs that you are interested
in. Because we house our dogs in foster homes, there is no central location for this to occur. You may be asked to travel to the foster home; the foster parent may bring
the dog to your home; or you and the foster parent may select an area somewhere in between to meet. After having met with the dog(s) and you decide you wish to adopt him
or her (or them!) you will need to complete the adoption contract.
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STEP SEVEN: FINALIZE THE ADOPTION
When you've met the Dal you'd like to adopt, and all adoption requirements have been met, your Rescue coordinator will send you an Adoption Contract to complete
and sign. The completed contract, along with your adoption donation, should be returned to your Rescue Coordinator unless otherwise arranged, before you take
your Dal home. If you choose to donate via PayPal, please give the Rescue Coordinator/ Foster Parent a copy of your paid receipt as arranged by your Rescue
Coordinator. If you wish to adopt more than one dog, you must complete a separate Adoption Contract for EACH dog. Before you leave the foster home with the
dog, you must have these two things:
Either a noose leash (often called a slip leash), a leash and choke collar (may be metal or nylon) or a leash and harness. Many dogs in new situations
and with new people have been known to escape the traditional buckle collar and become lost. We want to prevent this!
Your own identification on the dog. This must be at a minimum your name and TWO phone numbers, although we suggest that the ID have the dog's name, your last name, two
phone numbers, and the words "NEEDS MEDS - REWARD". (See sample images below.) In addition, your dog will come with his/her Dalmatian Rescue ID tag and microchip tag.
These tags MUST remain on the collar as an additional safeguard and contact source.
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PLEASE NOTE:
All of our dogs are provided with age appropriate vaccinations, spayed/neutered as needed, unless their health prevents it and we make every effort to microchip them prior
to adoption as well. If you have any questions about the health status/vaccinations of the dog you adopt, please contact
Beth White prior to scheduling a visit with your
veterniarian. The actual costs to get many of our dogs to 'adoptable' status is far greater than we ask for in our adoption donation. When adding transportation, microchip
and registration, food and housing, we will have invested on average more than $500 per dog. As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we obviously need the adoption
donations to continue our rescue efforts. For each Dalmatian adopted we request a minimum donation, to help cover expenses incurred, payable at the time of adoption:
If you have any questions, please call the Dalmatian Rescue hotline at (303) 281-8963
Every effort is made to screen Dalmatians available for adoption. However, Dalmatian Rescue of Colorado, Inc., its officers, and Rescue Committee members cannot guarantee
the health or temperament of the Dalmatians available for adoption and do not accept liability for any problems arising from an adopted Dalmatian. All adoptions are at
the risk of the adopter.
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