Adoption Process

The procedure for adopting a Dachshund through our organization is as follows:
1.	Read the information on this web site to ensure that a Dachshund is for you and to help you prepare for a new dog. Do research on the breed via books, online, etc. to educate your household to ensure this is right for you. Please understand that a rescue dog will have some sort of issues that you will have to help them overcome. They will need some sort of behavioral/obedience training. All dogs will need some sort of potty training.
2.	Fill out an adoption application.
3.	A volunteer will contact you to go through an interview process where we will discuss your application. We also do home inspections to first time applicants to ensure that the adoptive families understand the responsibilities of owning and caring for a Dachshund and the needs of a second-hand dog. At our organization’s option, if you have already adopted from us, and your circumstances have not changed, this visit may not be necessary.
4.	After the visit to your home, if your application is approved, you will receive a telephone call from an Adoption Coordinator who will match you with the available Dachshund that fit your circumstances. Please be advised just because you put in an application in for a certain dog does not mean you will get that dog. We have numerous applications in per dog and can only pick one person. Our priority is for the dog, which is why we try to match the people to the right dog. Since we evaluate the applicants and the dogs, we might suggest a different dog for your situation. Please keep an open mind when wanting to adopt a dog.
5.	We reserve the right to refuse an applicant if, in our judgment, the home situation is not compatible with the needs of a Dachshund or if the breed is not suitable for the applicant. As a general rule we do not adopt out of state. There are lots of shelters and rescues everywhere and we are all full, so we advise that you look locally first. As a general rule we also do not adopt out to renters or apartment living. The majority of our dogs are surrendered because of these situations. When we adopt them out we want to ensure that they find their permanent forever home.
6.	Arrangements will be made for you to visit with the Dachshund's selected as possibilities for you. Applicants are under no obligation to accept a dog selected for you. It may take some time to find the right dog for you. If you feel that a dog shown to you is not right for you, simply tell the Adoption Coordinator. We will do our best to continue the search for a compatible dog. Our organization does not, however, guarantee a successful placement. If a dog has been selected for you and you are unable to see it or cannot decide after seeing it, we are under no obligation to hold the dog while you decide. We are constantly getting dogs in so if we did not find the right one for you at that time, please keep checking with us.
7.	Adoption fees vary according to the dog’s age, sex and health. This donation goes to help defray the costs incurred while the Dachshund is in our care. Expenses normally incurred include a full medical exam, medical treatment, spaying and neutering, a full set of vaccinations, heartworm test and medication, other medications that may be required by the dog, boarding, food, and the microchip. Our adoption fees do not cover our expenses completely so any donations are appreciated.
8.	You will be required to complete an adoption contract at the time of adoption.
9.	You will be required to license your Dachshund, provide shelter, food, yearly vaccinations, heartworm testing and medication, and medical care. Most importantly, you must intend to make the Dachshund you adopt a member of your family and take the time to help it through what ever problems may occur. We highly stress the importance of taking the dog through an obedience class. This provides responsible pet ownership. It teaches you how to take care of the dog, provide structure in the household, it will help what ever issues the dog might have and it provides one on one bonding time with you and your new family member. We can provide you information on obedience training . We also suggest that you become a member of our club (one year of membership is free with adoption) to build the dogs socialization skills by getting used to other dogs and people.
10.	Shortly after the adoption, your Adoption Coordinator will call you, and again a while later, to assist with any problems you may be having in integrating the Dachshund into your household. Never hesitate to contact your Adoption Coordinator with questions or problems. It is easier to address such problems as they occur rather than at some later time. We ask that you stay in touch with us and maintain your current address with us in the event your Dachshund is ever lost and tracked to our organization.
11.	If, for any reason, the adoption is not satisfactory, we require that the dog be returned to our organization. The dachshund must not be sold or given away. Our organization retains the right to reclaim any rescue dog that is neglected, improperly cared for, or allowed to roam free.