Adoption Process, Guidelines and Adoption Fee Information
Please keep in mind our ONLY goal is to place our rescue furbabies in SAFE and loving "forever" homes.
If you are in hurry, please slow down! This is a lifetime decision and should not be made in haste. Our
adoption process takes time and does not happen the same day and in most cases the same week.
When adopting a furbaby through Southern Shih Tzu Rescue please expect to develop a long term
relationship. We have email support groups for our new parents and follow up frequently to ensure the
happiness of our furbabies. Most of our adoptive parents are very active in our rescue efforts, as well.
Southern Shih Tzu Rescue requires an adoption contract be signed, which allows us to follow up any
time, including a follow up home visit.
Also... if your idea is to adopt a rescue dog, because you don't want to pay a full price, please
stop here!! Because that is not what rescue is all about. Rescue is about giving a dog a second chance,
who otherwise would not get one.
Rescue dogs may or may not have "issues" to work through. (you will be advised of any "issues" prior to
adoption). They are often very scared and unsure of where they belong. Some traumatized dogs may take
1-2 years to turn around. However, rescue dogs have plenty of love, affection and gratitude to give back.
And by adopting, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you saved a LIFE.
Completing the adoption application is a prerequisite to adopting a furbaby through Southern
Shih Tzu Rescue. YES - we DO Out-of-State adoptions. New Parents are personally responsible
for picking up their new furbaby.
Adoption Guidelines: (not all inclusive)
We DO NOT adopt to homes with children under the age of ten (10), so please DO NOT apply if
your children are under ten years of age! Toy breeds dogs are NOT suited to small and/or young
children. No matter how well-meaning the child, children cannot help being too "active" for toy breeds.
And that a child ”meant well”, is little solace to a toy breed dog, who has been accidentally stepped on,
sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. A dog may feel that it needs to "protect" itself and
respond by growling and eventually snapping/nipping/biting. We are not willing to put our furbabies or your
child at risk. These are rescue dogs, they have already been through so much!
This is NOT a first-come, first-served process or a "Cash and Carry" rescue. All furbabies that come
into our care have already been shifted around or dumped at a shelter, we want to find the best forever
home possible for them and the application is one way we do this.
All applicants are screened and approved on the needs of our furbabies. We place them in the “Best”
home, based on THEIR needs and personality. Please note, you will be contacted IF you meet the
specific needs of the furbaby, for which you have applied, and IF you are the best fit for their personality
and needs.
Our "Adoption Fee" ranges from $200 - $300, and is NON-negotiable. This fee is an "attempt" to
recover vet fees, grooming and basic care cost. All furbabies have received the following vet care:
Comprehensive Exam, ALL vaccinations (age and health appropriate), Heartworm Test, Dewormed,
Spayed/neutered and is currently on Heartworm/Flea Preventative. We also address any other medical
issues, based on vet recommendation; geriatric bloodwork, dental work, heartworm treatment, liver shunt
surgery, hip surgery, eye surgery, etc...)
Again, SSTR is NOT funded by city, county or state funding. We are funded by adoption fees and
donations alone. And, I'm sure if you are adopting a rescue furbaby, you would only want to
help SAVE another LIFE by supporting our rescue efforts.
The application process includes: (Our adoption process can take up to 4 weeks to complete)
the dog. Our Process and Policies are NOT all inclusive.
If you are in hurry, please slow down! This is a lifetime decision and should not be made in haste. Our
adoption process takes time and does not happen the same day and in most cases the same week.
When adopting a furbaby through Southern Shih Tzu Rescue please expect to develop a long term
relationship. We have email support groups for our new parents and follow up frequently to ensure the
happiness of our furbabies. Most of our adoptive parents are very active in our rescue efforts, as well.
Southern Shih Tzu Rescue requires an adoption contract be signed, which allows us to follow up any
time, including a follow up home visit.
Also... if your idea is to adopt a rescue dog, because you don't want to pay a full price, please
stop here!! Because that is not what rescue is all about. Rescue is about giving a dog a second chance,
who otherwise would not get one.
Rescue dogs may or may not have "issues" to work through. (you will be advised of any "issues" prior to
adoption). They are often very scared and unsure of where they belong. Some traumatized dogs may take
1-2 years to turn around. However, rescue dogs have plenty of love, affection and gratitude to give back.
And by adopting, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you saved a LIFE.
Completing the adoption application is a prerequisite to adopting a furbaby through Southern
Shih Tzu Rescue. YES - we DO Out-of-State adoptions. New Parents are personally responsible
for picking up their new furbaby.
Adoption Guidelines: (not all inclusive)
- The person submitting the application, MUST be the person who is actually adopting.
- Applicant must be over 24 yrs of age.
- The applicant must be willing to undergo reference checks and home visit.
- All current pets must be spayed/neutered and up to date on shots.
- ALL pets must reside INSIDE your home.
- A fence yard is required for MOST adoptions, however this is not always a requirement. It depends on the
dogs needs. BUT, 99.9% of the time you will need a fenced yard. - Prefer applicant to own home, due to leasing/renting complications.
- Must have current or previous pet ownership, in order to verify vet history and pet ownership.
- A VET Reference IS Required!! Do NOT apply without a vet reference!!
- If you are elderly, please don't ask us for a very young dog. A Shih Tzu can easily live 16 or more years.
We DO NOT adopt to homes with children under the age of ten (10), so please DO NOT apply if
your children are under ten years of age! Toy breeds dogs are NOT suited to small and/or young
children. No matter how well-meaning the child, children cannot help being too "active" for toy breeds.
And that a child ”meant well”, is little solace to a toy breed dog, who has been accidentally stepped on,
sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. A dog may feel that it needs to "protect" itself and
respond by growling and eventually snapping/nipping/biting. We are not willing to put our furbabies or your
child at risk. These are rescue dogs, they have already been through so much!
This is NOT a first-come, first-served process or a "Cash and Carry" rescue. All furbabies that come
into our care have already been shifted around or dumped at a shelter, we want to find the best forever
home possible for them and the application is one way we do this.
All applicants are screened and approved on the needs of our furbabies. We place them in the “Best”
home, based on THEIR needs and personality. Please note, you will be contacted IF you meet the
specific needs of the furbaby, for which you have applied, and IF you are the best fit for their personality
and needs.
Our "Adoption Fee" ranges from $200 - $300, and is NON-negotiable. This fee is an "attempt" to
recover vet fees, grooming and basic care cost. All furbabies have received the following vet care:
Comprehensive Exam, ALL vaccinations (age and health appropriate), Heartworm Test, Dewormed,
Spayed/neutered and is currently on Heartworm/Flea Preventative. We also address any other medical
issues, based on vet recommendation; geriatric bloodwork, dental work, heartworm treatment, liver shunt
surgery, hip surgery, eye surgery, etc...)
Again, SSTR is NOT funded by city, county or state funding. We are funded by adoption fees and
donations alone. And, I'm sure if you are adopting a rescue furbaby, you would only want to
help SAVE another LIFE by supporting our rescue efforts.
The application process includes: (Our adoption process can take up to 4 weeks to complete)
- FIRST STEP - Submit an On-line Application
- "Qualified" Applicants will receive a call from our Application Coordinator
- Reference check – "Vet" reference required
- A HOME VISIT........ THIS IS A MUST!!!! SSTR will locate a volunteer in your area.
- Sign Adoption Contract
- Submit required Adoption Fee
- Travel Arrangements - New Parents must make travel arrangements. WE DO NOT SHIP!
*** INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED! ***
the dog. Our Process and Policies are NOT all inclusive.
| Click HERE to view our Adoption Contract (subject to change without notice) |
SSTR is NOT a SHELTER! Our dogs are located in several different Foster Homes in several states. We do
NOT have paid employees, who are available to immediately respond to your inquires. We are NOT funded by
city, county or state funds. We do NOT have a "location" for you to visit dogs in person. If you are a qualified
applicant we can make visiting arrangements, IF YOU are willing to drive to the foster area, normally in
central Alabama and Georgia areas.
NOT have paid employees, who are available to immediately respond to your inquires. We are NOT funded by
city, county or state funds. We do NOT have a "location" for you to visit dogs in person. If you are a qualified
applicant we can make visiting arrangements, IF YOU are willing to drive to the foster area, normally in
central Alabama and Georgia areas.
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Southern Shih Tzu & Toy Breed Rescue and Sanctuary SSTR is a registered Non-Profit charity organization, dedicated to rehoming and providing sanctuary care for abandoned, abused and homeless toy breeds. |
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