1. What is the adoption process?
See a dog you are interested in adopting? Visit our website at istodaymydayrescue.org and fill out an adoption application! The adoption team for the dog you are interested in will review your application and complete a vet check to be sure all current animals are up to date on vaccinations and preventative care. A member of the adoption team will contact you via email or phone to discuss your application and evaluate if the dog will be a good fit for your home. You can expect to hear from a member of that dog’s adoption team within 48 hours. If your application is approved, a meeting/home visit will be arranged so you can see how the dog will fit into your current lifestyle. If the meeting goes well, the adoption contract and any other paperwork will be completed, the adoption fee will be paid, and they are ready to go home!
We want to make this easy and we want to be sure that the dog you are interested in is a fit for you. Finding a dog or pup that works with your schedule and lifestyle is key to our placement. The questions on our application help us determine if the dog you choose will do well in your home. The number of hours your dog is home alone, fenced yard, exercise plan, other family members – pets included; these are important things we want to discuss with you and your chosen canine. Each dog’s needs vary based on breed, age, personality, health, and a number of other factors, so there are no right or wrong answers. We do require a vet reference as a routine part of our application screening.
2. If I send in an application, am I obligated to adopt?
No. However, if your application has been approved and arrangements have been made for you to meet the dog, you are obligated to attend the meeting. If you set up an appointment and can’t make it or you change your mind about adopting, let us know as soon as possible. If we don’t hear from you promptly after we initiate contact via phone or email, your pup will be available for other adopters. There just might be a waiting list for the dog you are interested in, so be sure to be in touch!
3. Are adoptions first come, first served?
No. We want to find just the right home for each dog and for each family. If your application is approved but the dog you are interested in already has a meeting with another family, let us know you are still interested and we will be sure to contact you if things don’t work out at the meeting. You can also let us know if you would like to be put on the Approved Adopter Wait List, and we will contact you the next time a dog that is similar to what you are looking for comes through our rescue.
4. Do you require a fenced yard?
It depends on the dog. Some dogs really need a fenced yard to be happy and meet their exercise needs, but others don’t. Some will only be successful with their housetraining if they have a fenced yard, but others do fine with potty pads or going out on a leash. If you don’t have a fenced yard, your plans for housetraining and exercise will let us know if it is a good fit. We do not adopt to homes who plan on keeping their dog unsupervised in the yard on a chain or tether. Being chained or tethered is the number one reason dogs bite and become aggressive. A chained or tethered dog is vulnerable, as other dogs and children can torment them and leave the dog without a place to retreat, so their only option is to fight back.
5.What is your adoption fee?
Our standard adoption fee is $295. Our senior adoption fee is $195 (whether or not a dog qualifies as a senior depends on the age, breed, and health of the dog in question).
6. Why so much?
Our income is based solely on adoption fees and donations. The adoption fee covers a dog’s vetting, which is completed before they go home (see question 7 to find out what vetting our dogs get prior to adoption). If a dog’s vetting costs are less than the adoption fee, that extra money goes into our emergency medical fund. This ensures that we can still help dogs who may require vetting that costs more than their adoption fee. This is especially helpful for senior dogs, who often require the most vet care but have a reduced adoption fee, or for dogs that require a treatment plan for illness or injury.
7. What does my adoption fee cover?
Your dog comes to you fully loaded with goodies! Each dog will be examined by a veterinarian, microchipped, heartworm tested if it is more than six months of age, and be spayed or neutered prior to adoption (see question 8 for outlying cases), as well as receive worming, heartworm preventative, flea/tick preventative, and all age-appropriate vaccinations as recommended by our veterinarian. You will receive a copy of the adoption paperwork, proof of registration of the microchip, and a record of the medical care they have received. In some cases, dogs receive microchips prior to coming to the rescue. In these cases, we will provide information for you to register the microchip.
8. Are all of your dogs spayed or neutered?
All dogs are spayed or neutered prior to adoption, unless your dog is adopted under a Spay/Neuter agreement. Spay/Neuter agreements are only used for extra small breed puppies under 4 pounds at the time of adoption including but not limited to Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Yorkies, Maltese, etc. or for a number of extra large breed puppies including but not limited to Great Pyrenees, Newfoundland, Great Dane, Saint Bernard, etc. due to our vet’s opinion on increased chances of complications and future medical concerns from the premature alteration of dogs of these sizes. In the event a puppy is adopted on a Spay/Neuter agreement, the adopter will sign a Spay/Neuter Contract, which explains the reasons for the delayed surgery, states that the Rescue will call the adopter when the dog is 6 months old to confirm completed or scheduled spay or neuter for the puppy, allows the Rescue to confiscate the dog if it is not spayed or neutered by or around the age of 6 months, and upon proof of surgery will offer a refund to the adopter up to $60. The age of alteration may only be adjusted upon the advice of a veterinarian. Both a regular adoption contract and a Spay/Neuter Agreement must be signed by the adopter. There may be other instances where a veterinarian advises that the health of a dog cannot withstand the surgical risks of spay/neuter before adoption. In such circumstances other arrangements may be made with an adopter, who will be made aware of the health condition of the animal. It is expected that such circumstances will be rare and addressed on a case-by-case basis.
9. Where do your dogs come from?
Most of our dogs come from rural south central Missouri, an area of significant canine overpopulation and low resources, but we help any dog that we can. We have had dogs come from all over Missouri as well as surrounding areas such as Illinois, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Our dogs come from a variety of situations, including but not limited to strays, owner relinquishes, breeder releases, animal control facilities, and dogs at risk of euthanasia.
10. Help! I need to rehome my dog/found a stray dog/know a dog who is in danger!
Give us a call at (417) 547-2123. If we do not answer, leave us a message and we will get back to you, or feel free to send a text. Please be prepared to give the dogs name (if he has one), breed (or best guess), age (if you know), temperament, and any additional information you may have (how does he do with other dogs, cats, and children? Where did you find him? Why does he need to be rehomed? Any health issues you know of?) Please also send 3-5 *clear, well lit photos.*
Once we learn a bit about the dog, we will share his information and photos with our fosters. Finding a foster can take a few days to a few weeks. If a foster steps up to foster the dog, we will make arrangements with you to get the dog to the foster home. All relinquishing parties will be required to fill out an owner relinquish form to confirm that ownership of the dog is changing from the relinquishing party to the rescue. If we are not able to find a foster for your dog, we are happy to give you a list of other rescues, shelters, or animal controls in your area that may be able to help.