Adoption Guide

Your application will be processed immediately during our business hours. You must be 24 years of age to complete the application. We ask that you do not apply or work with other rescue organizations if you choose to submit an application with us. 

​Q: How do I know if my application was submitted? 

A: You'll see a Thank you confirmation page. 

Q: How do I know if you are going forward with my application? 

A: The selected applicant will be contacted. Once we are in the home visit process, we MAY put "Home Visit in Process" on the listing. Once the dog is adopted, we remove it from the site. 

Q: What is the typical timeframe?

A: We do require that adopters adopt within seven days of applying, so that would be the estimated timeframe before adoption. Exceptions to this would be if the dog is noted as not adoptable at the time. 

We will do an initial vet history check with both your current and/or past veterinarians.  This is done with deceased pets as well as ones currently living. We will move forward only if the following records are complete: 
       -spay/neuter
       -rabies and distemper combo vaccines
       -heartworm tests
       -monthly heartworm preventative

If those records are not complete, we will not be able to move forward. 

PLEASE NOTE: We have a $50 records release penalty if you indicate you've released records and you have not. 

If we select your application to move forward with, you will be sent an email requesting a $100 deposit. This deposit will be applied to the adoption fee and is non-refundable. The reason we do this is to make sure that you are serious about adopting at this time.  

We will conduct a virtual home visit. All members of the family need to be present during the meeting. The purpose of this home visit is to discuss your needs and expectations, and also the needs of a dog in general. 

Q: What can I expect during a home visit?

A: We will discuss the proper care and training of your rescue dog and answer any questions you may have. 

Q: Will the home visit volunteer be able to tell us more about the dog?

A: The home visit volunteer will not know the particulars of the dog you are interested in. What we know is on the dog's listing. It's a good idea to read the articles on the resource page before your home visit.  

If all of the above goes well, we will put you in touch with a volunteer, so you may set a time to meet the Fluffy Dog. 

Please note: We will do our best to match you with the dog you applied for, but our dogs are popular and there are many applications on them. Going through this process quickly and meeting the dog in a timely manner will work in your favor in matching you with the dog you have selected. 

Q: Can I bring my other dog(s) to the meeting?

A: Yes, you are welcome to bring your dog or dogs to this meeting. Keep in mind that all relationships take time. Look up how to introduce dogs properly.

Q: Am I required to adopt the dog if I feel it is not a good match?

A: No, if you don't believe the dog is a good match for you, you are not required to adopt at, or after the meeting.  

WI State law requires that every dog have a vet exam within 30 days of adoption for contagious diseases. Fluffy Dog Rescue pays for these exams and we begin to work on getting them scheduled as soon as an application is received. Your decisive, clear and proactive communication regarding the Fluffy Dog you want to adopt goes a long way!  This will help us get a vet appointment for the required exam in a timely manner. 

 Every dog has had the following vetting:

1) Combo parvo/distemper vaccine

2) Rabies vaccine (5 months or older)

3) Spay/neuter (age appropriate)

4) Heartworm test (over 1 year of age)

Please read the information on heartworm disease on our Resources page. Heartworms take six months to develop from microfilaria (babies transferred from a mosquito) to a worm living in the heart. It's possible six months from the negative heartworm test that your dog might come up with a positive heartworm test. If this happens please contact us.

5) Worming

Almost all of our dogs come to us with whipworms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, giardia, or coccidia. We do worm dogs at least one time for these parasites. Because worms lay eggs, it's possible that worms may be present. This is the reason that we require a fecal sample be taken to your vet at the vet visit. 

6) Heartworm preventative (April-October)

7) Flea protection (April-October) 

Almost all of our dogs come to us with fleas anytime of the year because they are coming from the south. We put one dose of flea protection on them and continue monthly if fleas are detected. Fleas have a three month life cycle. If your dog has arrived here within the past three months, you will want to discuss flea protection with your vet at the vet visit.

You should have paperwork confirming the distemper, rabies, and heartworm test. If not, please contact us. We make every attempt to adopt out healthy dogs with good temperaments. Our dogs have all been seen by a veterinarian, but it's possible that some things have not been detected, as we do not do bloodwork and x-rays. Parasites and ear infections are the most common issue that we see. We do dentals on some dogs, but it is possible that your dog may need a dental which could require extractions.