ADOPTION APPLICATION
Please carefully read the following policies and statements before continuing to the adoption application.
Border Collie Save & Rescue’s top mission is the stewardship of the dogs that are rescued by BCSAVE and the long term well-being of those dogs after they leave BCSAVE’s care. For this reason, BCSAVE does not offer “open adoptions”. All BCSAVE adopters go through a vetting and approval process to help us better understand the needs, wants and experience level of the potential adopter.
Once the adoption approval process is complete, BCSAVE will work with the potential adopter to find a dog in the rescue who best matches their living situation, lifestyle, and preferences.
This means that an approved adopter may not always be matched with the dog they initially applied for due to specific temperament/environment considerations as well as the availability of the dog. BCSAVE encourages everyone to keep an open mind during this process and promises to be transparent and considerate of the best interests of both the dog and the adopter so that a dog’s next home really is a forever home.
Approved adopters are added to a waiting list if there is no immediate perfect match. We encourage potential applicants to not wait until the “perfect” dog comes along, but to start the process sooner to have priority as a pre-vetted applicant when that perfect dogs does come along.
Because BCSAVE is entirely volunteer based, it can take approximately 2-3 weeks to contact you after receiving your application.
ADOPTION PROCESS
- Initial Phone Screening: An initial “get to know you” phone call with a BCSAVE volunteer to go over the application, get more details about what the applicant is looking for, and answer any questions the applicant has regarding the adoption processes.
- Home Check: After the application and phone interview, we will request a virtual home visit to help ensure our Border Collies are going to a suitable home for their particular needs.
- Reference Check: After the application and phone interview, we will complete the veterinary and landlord (as applicable) reference checks.
- Find Your Dog: It is our goal to find appropriate homes for our dogs and will begin discussing specific dogs and working towards meet & greets with them.
- Meet & Adopt: Make arrangement to meet with a dog, and if everything goes as hoped, process the adoption.
BCSAVE’s relationships with our adopters do not end at the adoption. BCSAVE alumni often become volunteers, fosters, or just stay in touch to share updates, photos, stories. Stay in touch via our Facebook, Instagram or email/text – we love to hear from you!
- All applicants must be of 18 years or older.
- BCSAVE does not guarantee that you will be matched with any specific dog.
- No adoptions will be processed as “gifts”.
- BCSAVE cannot make any guarantees concerning the health, habits, temperament, background, or age of any dog being adopted.
- All dogs, unless otherwise specified:
- a. Have a current heartworm negative test
- b. Are up-to-date on core vaccinations (Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella)
- c. Are spayed/neutered
- d. Are microchipped
- e. On a heartworm, flea, and tick preventative
- All adoptions are at the sole discretion of BCSAVE, and we reserve the right to deny any applicant for any reason.
OUT OF STATE ADOPTIONS
- Due to limited volunteer capacity, BCSAVE gives priority to applicants who are local to the dog being adopted and to those who are willing to travel to meet a dog in the location they are being fostered. For those applicants unable to travel to Texas, it may take longer than 3 weeks to contact you for an initial interview.
- BCSAVE works with a number of rescue & commercial transport services that can transport dogs to different locations throughout continental United States.
- Out of state adoptions can be a lengthier process due to the additional logistics and requirements involved.
- Coordinating transportation through a third party company or transporter is not guaranteed.
- If transportation cannot be arranged, the adopter must be willing to travel to the dog’s location to meet and pick up the dog.
- All transportation arrangements and fees are the sole responsibility of the adopter. The fees may include:
- Fees to the transporter.
- Cost for any necessary crates and travel gear.
- Any additional vet fees for a Travel Health Certificates for the state the dog is being transported to.
- Cost of any additional vaccinations, bloodwork, or tests that required by the state the dog is being transported to.