How do I adopt a dog?

     When can I expect to hear from you when I send an adoption application?

     Where do the rescued Aussies come from?

     How do I know if the dog I adopt is healthy?

     Will an adult Aussie bond to the family? Isn't a puppy going to bond better than

     an adult Aussie?

     What if I want a puppy?

     Can an adult Aussie be trained?

     What if the Aussie just doesn't fit into the family?

• How do I adopt a dog?
  Fill out the Online Application completely and click on submit.
   

• When can I expect to hear from you when I send an adoption application?
  While we receive the adoption application the day it is submitted, it may take a week or more before we get back to you. We are volunteers as a result work other jobs and sometimes we just don't have time to respond immediately. Please be patient.

  
   

  
  
  

   

• Where do the rescued Aussies come from?
  Most of our Aussies come from pounds and shelters. Some come from owners who are no longer available to care properly for their dog. Since foster space is very limited, only the Aussies with the greatest need (such as shelter dogs in danger of being put to sleep) are fostered.

  
   

   

  
   

  
  
  

• How do I know if the dog I adopt is healthy?
  Prior to adoption, each Aussie in foster care is spayed or neutered, brought up to date on all shots and is tested for heartworm. If there are other problems, ARPH will do it's best to treat them. Each new owner is given a full account of the dog's health history, but if there is an on-going problem, the family will be informed and it will be their decision whether or not to adopt the dog.

  
   

   

  
   

  
  
  

• Will an adult Aussie bond to the family? Isn't a puppy going to bond better than an adult Aussie?
  It is a fallacy that a raising a puppy creates a better bond than adopting an adult Aussie. Any Aussie, no matter what the age, is capable of forming a tight and lasting bond to its new family.
   

   

  
   

   

• What if I want a puppy?
  Most Aussie rescue groups seldom have puppies for adoption. We may only have one or two pups available in an entire year. But then again, adopting an adult Aussie is advantageous as usually they are beyond the teething stage and are able to be a full-fledged member of the family immediately.

   
   

   

  
   

  
  
  

• Can an adult Aussie be trained?
  The old saying "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" just isn't true. Any Aussie, no matter what the age, is capable of learning. It may require more patience but rescued dogs are eager to learn.

   
   

   

  
   

  
  
  

• What if the Aussie just doesn't fit into the family?
  Our primary goal is to match each rescue Aussie with its perfect 'forever' home. We rely on experience and intuition to guide us, but sometimes mistakes are made. We follow up for the first week or so and then rely on the adoptive owners to let us know how the dog is adapting. Often, for the first week or two, a rescue dog is on its best behavior (known as the "honeymoon" period), and only later does a problem develop. Many problems can be easily solved, but if a dog is causing distress or fear in a household, we will take him back immediately.