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Adopt and make a best friend

STEPS to ADOPTING

(ALlfurloveSD rescue pets are not for residents outside of San Diego County)

  • Fill out our questionnaire FORM

  • Ready your family, neighbors, house, and yard

  • Watch the available dogs list and keep in contact with us

  • All Fur Love representative performs a home check to make sure you’re ready to adopt a dog

  • All Fur Love introduces prospective dog into your home

  • Sign the All Fur Love adoption contract

  • Pay adoption fee. The amount will be determined by circumstances.

 

Adopting Details

Fill out our Pre-Adoption online form- You have to do this. Even if it seems like a big, weird hassle, it helps us match you to a dog waiting for adoption.

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Having reviewed your Questionnaire, our Rescue Coordinator will contact you about available dogs. Even if a suitable dog isn’t available, you’ll be on the waiting list. In the meantime, get your house and yard ready to accept the new dog. Repair fences and protect plants and lawns. Collect up possible “chew toys”, such as fine Italian leather shoes, and store them safely in a closet. A new dog often marks (um, with urine) a new house inside and out. Sorry, but you’d better have some enzymatic cleaner and wipe rags available. This will end once the pet recognizes your house as its home and knows how and when to get outside for relief.

Maintain contact with us. It seems like for weeks there are none, and then dogs appear at our doorsteps in bunches. Telephone and leave a voice message if we don’t answer right off. We are a small, all-volunteer organization, easily distracted by things like work, plumbing leaks, and children; it may take a few days before we can get back to you. Please be patient. Think of us like the government, except you didn’t elect us, you can’t replace us, we don’t have all your tax dollars to spend, and we do try hard.

If approved, you will be added to the waiting list for the dog you would like. Once we think there is a match, you will get to meet the prospective dog in your home. We can then see how the first contact goes. We generally perform a home check to make sure that your yard is secure and that there is an overall compatibility between your home environment and the needs of the prospective dog. This seems intrusive, but it’s not; it’s best for you, for us, and for the dog.

You must sign a contract (Online Form – or – PDF form), agree to its terms, and pay our modest adoption fee ($250-$500). We are an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Your donation is 100% tax deductible.

Set your browser’s home page to our web site ; you can check for new dogs every time you connect. With increasing hits, we are moving up on the search engine result lists, and that helps people find us all the more.

Consider this decision carefully. You may be wondering about whether you want to adopt a dog or whether a particular dog is the right one for you. That’s OK. One thing you can do–and we encourage it–is for you to foster the adoptable dog for a time at your house. You still have to have the home check to make sure the dog will be safe and secure around your house, but the trial can be limited to a specific time period. At any point that it becomes clear that the adoption won’t work, then we’ll arrange another foster home for the dog. This is a great way for you, your family, your other pets, and the new dog to get past the initial introductory shock period and see whether the new home works out.

BRINGING YOUR DOG HOME

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Bringing a new dog home is exciting for everyone, including the dog. First impressions are important for dogs, so early experiences in a dog’s new home tend to leave a lasting impression. You can do a lot to help your dog feel secure in his/her new home.

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Your Dog’s Special Person

Assign a particular family member to be your dog’s special person. A dog needs a leader, someone to play with who will feed and exercise her. Dogs are highly social, they love to be around people 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Unlike people, dogs don’t usually need a break for time alone. While the realities of modern life make this extremely difficult, dogs can still be happy and healthy even if they have to spend time alone. But it is important that all of their needs are taken care of. So while one person does not have to do all the exercising, cleaning, and feeding, one person should be responsible to ensure that all of this gets done––each and every day.

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Your Dog’s New Home

Keep your dog on leash when she first comes to her new home and take her around the house. Show her each room, where her food and water are, where her bed is, where her toys are and where the yard is. Introduce her to any family member she has not yet met. Take her to the appropriate place and wait to see if she needs to relieve herself.

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Until her bathroom habits have been established, take your adult dog out every couple of hours. If you adopted a puppy, you should take her out every hour. (You can expect a puppy to start having bladder control at about 5 months). When you go out, praise your dog each and every time she uses the designated area, whether this is in the backyard or during a walk. Tell her what a great dog she is, even give her small treats. NEVER rub her nose in a “mistake,” or make her nervous about relieving herself in your presence. And never punish her for a mistake discovered later in time. Your dog will not understand no matter how “guilty” you think she looks.

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Introducing Your New Dog to Other Pets

Pets enjoy each other’s company. A pet with a playmate can get more exercise, stimulation and companionship. But sometimes it takes a while for them to realize the wonderful advantages they’re about to enjoy.

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Most dogs view the arrival of another dog as an invasion of their territory. To get them off to a good start, have short, fun sessions with the dogs. Play games, go for walks, be generous with doggy treats. Let the dogs know that when they are together, they are going to have a great time. When you are not at home, keep the dogs in separate rooms for the first few days until they are comfortable with each other, if possible.

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Dogs can experience jealousy and other complex emotions. Your resident dog may revert to some long–forgotten behaviors like chewing or territory marking to express her negative feelings. Punishing her for them will only alienate her more, reinforcing the feelings she is upset about. In addition, be careful not to neglect your old friend in your excitement over the new dog. Nothing will irritate her more than seeing all the hugs and attention that she’s used to getting being lavished on another dog. Tip the scales of treats and praise in favor of the resident dog.

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A dog meeting a cat should always be leashed. Supervise the encounter, and watch your dog for signs of aggressive behavior towards the cat. Curiosity is normal, but a dog who lunges at a cat is not safe to be off–leash with the cat. If your dog gets on well with the cat, but the cat shows you that she’s feeling threatened during this experience, let her retreat to a safe room until she’s willing to try again. Never force an encounter.

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Kids and Dogs

There is no reason why young children and dogs cannot be the best of friends, so long as your kids understand some simple facts about dog behavior. Read the section “How to Meet and Greet a Dog” aloud to your children and discuss it with them, and keep in mind these important reminders:

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Dogs DO NOT like to be squeezed, picked up or have their tails pulled. Dogs are sensitive to loud noises and sudden movements, and will feel threatened if they are chased, stared at, or lunged at.  Dogs DO NOT like to be disturbed while they are eating

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