Frequently Asked Questions

 

How long does the process take?
You'll hear from us within 24 hours. Overall, it has been our experience that the time elapsed between submitting the application and going to pick up the dog can be anywhere between 2-4 weeks. The most frequent reasons for delays include incomplete vet information that requires back and forth between us, the applicant and the vet; difficulty scheduling the home visit due to family obligations (e.g., soccer games, etc.) or problems scheduling a meeting between the animal and the entire family, including other animals. Also, many people who are approved want to pick up the dog on a weekend so they can have as much quality bonding time as possible.

What is your adoption fee?
We require a non-tax-deductible adoption fee of $250. This fee covers the first round of shots, spay/neuter, heartworm test and fecal exam. Click here for more information about our  medical policy .

You said you’d be in touch within 24 hours and I haven’t heard from you.
We do our best, but it is often true that we don’t meet this goal. Also, if your question is answered in our automated response email, we will not respond again.


Do you have a shelter? Can I call you?
All initial contact about the Hedgesville Hounds must be made over the Internet. We'll call you once we have received and started to process your application. We do not have any sort of facility for these dogs, nor do we have shows at this point.

Is your pet list up-to-date?
We work very hard to keep our list up-to-date. If a dog has been placed or there is an application pending, we try to indicate this right away.

Why don't you remove the dogs right away when there is an application pending?
Sometimes these applications fall through -- people get transferred, someone gets sick, etc. As a result, we keep the dogs on the site until the contract is signed.

OK, I understand that. But why don't you remove the dogs right away when they have been adopted?
We normally leave the adopted dogs up for a week because sometimes once a dog is placed it will become immediately clear that an adoption is not going to work out due to an "Act of God." The most common "Act of God" reason? Previously undiagnosed allergies.

This process takes a long time. What if I meet the dog and there isn't a match? Do I have to start all over with another rescue if you don't have the right dog for me?
We are happy to forward any of our approved candidates' applications to other rescues along with the results of their vet reference and home visit.

What are your standards for adoption?
Here are some, but not all, of our standards for adoption:

Are there other standards for adoption? Why aren't you disclosing them?
We do not provide all of our standards, since to do so could unduly influence the answers provided by the applicant.

Are you 501(c)3?
We are a 501(c)(3) organization, meaning that donations are tax deductible.

Can I earmark money for a particular dog's care?
Please!

I can get a dog for less money at my local shelter.
Our $250 adoption fee covers vetting and other expenses for the dogs we rescue.  We do not receive any outside funding.  ( In other words, this is not "your tax dollars at work," it's "your generous donations at work.")  We typically do not break even when our pets are adopted. However, in contrast with most shelters, our dogs come to applicants up-to-date on shots and fully vetted, include the spay and neuter procedure.    

A few of these dogs seem to be with other rescues -- what's up with that?
We work with many other like-minded rescues that share similar standards for placement. Sometimes they will flag us to a dog that is especially wonderful or especially needy, and we will post him or her on our site to give the dog extra "publicity."

What happens if I decide not to adopt one of your dogs?  Does that put the dog at risk?
All of the dogs listed by Hedgesville Hounds will be retained by our group until a good home is found, no matter how long it takes.  None of our dogs will be put down for any reason other than terminal illness, a situation we have mercifully not had to face.  On occasion we will post dogs for kill shelters where we are looking for fosters so we can take the dog.  In that case, we will make it clear that this dog's situation is tenuous.  

Why do you ask people to foster, rather than adopt, a dog at a high-kill shelter that you are trying to help?
We do not like to put pressure on adopters to adopt a specific dog to save the dog's life.  This can result in people making kind-hearted decisions that are not the right ones -- getting a dog that is too much for their home, or whose temperament or energy level is unsuitable.  This is penny-wise and pound-foolish and is not in the best interest of the dog.  On the other hand, if people will agree to foster such dogs, we can find the right match for everyone.  

I've never owned a dog.  How am I supposed to provide a vet reference?
You're not.  Vet references are designed to show that people with a history of pet ownership have been responsible.  Lack of a vet reference does not disqualify you from adopting with us.  If you do not have a vet reference and we decide to pursue your application, we will ask you for three character references.

You said that you return calls within 24 hours.  Why didn't you contact me?
Actually, we respond to applications within 24 hours.  Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to return phone calls from people who are not eligible to adopt.  In other words, we can't return calls from:




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LAST UPDATED: 8/13/06