Adoption Process
The purpose of Texas Mini Aussie Rescue (TMAR) is to place homeless Miniature Australian Shepherds into loving forever homes suited to each individual dog’s needs. We take special care to match the Mini Aussies with rescue with the right home, ensuring a lifetime of love for both the dog and the adopter. To ensure the best matches are made, we have a process that is effective in determining the best homes for our animals. Our adoption process may seem time consuming or unnecessarily complicated, but please understand that we have our dogs’ best interests at heart. We strive to find the best homes possible for each of our dogs, as well as find the right dog for you and your lifestyle. Adoptions are not on a first come first serve basis as our main goal is to match the Mini Aussies we rescue with a forever family that is best suited to each dog's individual personality and needs to help ensure a lifetime of love of the dog and the adopter.
Please understand that our organization is completely run by unpaid volunteers, who dedicate their free time to help these dogs aside from having full time employment and families to care for. If your references are unavailable, it will delay the process, since those must be checked before moving forward. The entire adoption process takes time; we are unwilling to sacrifice being thorough when the dog’s future is at stake. We thank you for your time and patience throughout our adoption process.
Please understand that our organization is completely run by unpaid volunteers, who dedicate their free time to help these dogs aside from having full time employment and families to care for. If your references are unavailable, it will delay the process, since those must be checked before moving forward. The entire adoption process takes time; we are unwilling to sacrifice being thorough when the dog’s future is at stake. We thank you for your time and patience throughout our adoption process.
ATTENTION
APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO READ THE ADOPTION PROCESS PRIOR TO COMPLETING AN ADOPTION APPLICATION! APPLICANTS WHO DO NOT READ THE ENTIRE ADOPTION PROCESS WILL BE DENIED! It is not difficult to determine the difference between Adoption Applications submitted by applicants that have read the Adoption Process from applicants who have not.
WE DO NOT HOLD DOGS FOR APPLICANTS PERIOD!!!
Individuals must wait until after their vacation(s) to submit an Adoption Application in order to be considered to for approval to adopt one of our available dogs. IT IS NOT FAIR FOR OUR DOGS TO BE BOUNCED FROM A NEW HOME INTO BOARDING OR A SITTER BECAUSE AN APPLICANT FEELS THEY CANNOT WAIT UNTIL AFTER THEIR VACATION TO ADOPT! PLEASE DO NOT WASTE OUR TIME AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO NOT WASTE YOURS!! YOU WILL BE DENIED AND LISTED ON A DNA LIST IF YOU ARE FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THIS REQUIREMENT. DO NOT SUBMIT AN ADOPTION APPLICATION UNLESS YOU ARE FULLY PREPARED TO ADOPT AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION.
APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO READ THE ADOPTION PROCESS PRIOR TO COMPLETING AN ADOPTION APPLICATION! APPLICANTS WHO DO NOT READ THE ENTIRE ADOPTION PROCESS WILL BE DENIED! It is not difficult to determine the difference between Adoption Applications submitted by applicants that have read the Adoption Process from applicants who have not.
WE DO NOT HOLD DOGS FOR APPLICANTS PERIOD!!!
Individuals must wait until after their vacation(s) to submit an Adoption Application in order to be considered to for approval to adopt one of our available dogs. IT IS NOT FAIR FOR OUR DOGS TO BE BOUNCED FROM A NEW HOME INTO BOARDING OR A SITTER BECAUSE AN APPLICANT FEELS THEY CANNOT WAIT UNTIL AFTER THEIR VACATION TO ADOPT! PLEASE DO NOT WASTE OUR TIME AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO NOT WASTE YOURS!! YOU WILL BE DENIED AND LISTED ON A DNA LIST IF YOU ARE FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THIS REQUIREMENT. DO NOT SUBMIT AN ADOPTION APPLICATION UNLESS YOU ARE FULLY PREPARED TO ADOPT AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION.
Adoption Process Steps
Steps 1 – Fill out an Adoption Application
The first step after reading the entire Adoption Process is to fill out an adoption application located on our websites Forms page by clicking HERE. This application will tell us about you and your lifestyle, training beliefs and background with animals. In addition, please review our Adoption Contract also located on the Forms page located at http://www.texasminiaussierescue.org/forms.html.
PLEASE NOTE: At this time, TMAR has a lack of foster homes with children, therefore we are unable to place our dogs in homes with young children under the age of 8 years old. We also do not adopt to college students. It has been our experience in the past that most do not know where life will take them in the next few years and adopting a dog is a serious lifetime commitment for the dog. In addition, Applicants must be at least 21 years of age or older to adopt from TMAR.
Step 2 – Application Preliminary Review
Our application review volunteers will initially screen your application to determine if all necessary information was provided. If your application is incomplete we cannot process your application and it will be denied.
Note: We receive numerous applications for each Mini Aussie we have available for adoption. Because if this applicants need to take their time when completing the adoption application and provide as much information about yourself, home and lifestyle as possibly. Otherwise this could result in your application being overlooked.
Step 3 – Veterinary References Contacted
Our volunteers will contact the veterinary reference(s) you provided to determine if all your previous and/or current pets are spayed/neutered and up to date on vaccinations as well as current on heart worm prevention. Please contact your veterinarian(s) and give them permission to provide a reference to TMAR when one of our volunteers contacts them.
If your veterinary reference(s) cannot verify that your past and/or current pets are spay/neuter, up to date on vaccinations and current on heart worm prevention, or you do not give us permission to contact your veterinarian(s) your application will be denied at this point in the process.
Step 4 – Landlord Approval Verified
If it is determined that you rent your home; your landlord will be contacted to make sure you have approval to have a dog in your home.
If your landlord does not allow for a dog in your home, your application will be denied at this point in the process.
Step 5 – Personal References Contacted
Our volunteers will contact the two personal references you list the Adoption Application and ask them several questions in regards to whether they consider you to be a responsible pet owner. This is the portion of the process that can take the most amount of time. It is helpful if you contact your references and ask them to return our calls in a timely manner.
If our reference checking volunteers have any major concerns about adopting a dog to you, based on communication with your references, your application may be denied at this point in the process.
Step 6 – Phone Interview
If your application has been approved up to this point in the adoption process and appears to be a match for a current dog in our foster program a volunteer will be in contact with you to discuss your application, the adoption process and our dog(s) as well as answer your questions. If our volunteers have any concerns about adopting a dog to you, based on communication in the phone interview, your application may be denied at this point in the process.
Step 7–Home Visit and Applicant Interview
TMAR requires home visits to determine if the dog will be living in a safe environment. This is an informal chance for us to get to know you, your lifestyle, and your home environment along with determining which dog(s) in our program might be the best fit for your family. The home visit volunteer will do a walk-through of your home and yard to ensure its safety and will advise on any areas of concern. All household members including pets must be present for the home visit. TMAR requires adopters to have a fully enclosed fenced yard without any areas of escape and locks on all gates.
Distance is a factor in whether or not the required home visit can be completed. We are a 100% volunteer run organization. Since the majority of our volunteers are based in Dallas/Fort Worth areas other locations in Texas are often too difficult for us to conduct a home visit at this time. We will let you know ASAP if your application needs to be denied due to our inability to find a volunteer to conduct the home visit. We do not approve out of state adoptions nor do we ship our dogs.
As required by TMAR applicants must have a secure fenced yard without any areas of escape and locks on all gates in order to be approved for adoption. If our home visit volunteers have any major concerns about your home environment, or if you refuse a home visit, your application will be denied at this point in the process.
Step 8 – Meeting between Approved Applicant & Available Dogs
Once you have been approved, a volunteer (usually the foster) will contact you to schedule a day/time to meet the dog(s) discussed. This meeting will occur at the foster home meaning applicants must be willing to meet at the fosters residence. All of our foster homes are located throughout Dallas/Fort Worth and the nearby surrounding areas. We do require all members of the household be present at the adoption meeting
Just because you have been approved to meet a dog(s) in our foster program, you are NOT guaranteed a particular dog. For most of our dogs’ we receive numerous applications so we may allow multiple applicants to have meetings with the dog before we choose a home that we feel is the best fit for the dog and its needs. Adoptions are not on a first come first serve basis as our main goal is to match the Mini Aussies we've rescued with a forever family that is best suited to each dog’s individual personality and needs ensuring a lifetime of love for both the dog and the adopter. Also, if the volunteer involved in the meeting with you and the dog, does not feel you are a good fit for the dog, you may be denied adoption of that particular dog but you may be allowed to adopt another dog.
TMAR does not have a shelter where our dogs can be visited. All of our dogs are in foster homes. We do NOT arrange meetings any meetings with our adoptable dogs until an applicant has been approved up to this point in the Adoption Process
Step 9 – Adoption
Once you have been approval to adopt a specific dog from a TMAR you will be required to sign an adoption contract and provide payment of the adoption fee. Please see the Adoption Contract on the Forms page our Forms page at http://www.texasminiaussierescue.org/forms.html. The adoption fee for an adoptable Mini Aussie through TMAR is $300.00 which helps to cover veterinarian expenses in regards to spay/neuter surgery, rabies, vaccinations, microchip, exams, heart worm testing, heart worm preventatives, flea and tick preventatives and treatment for injuries or illnesses as well as any other care related expenses as needed. Each dog also comes with its own matching collar and leash (harness when available) and TMAR identification tag. Because veterinarian services and care are expensive the adoption fee is used towards helping TMAR continue to rescue more Mini Aussies in need. All of our dogs are fully vetted prior to becoming available for adoption.
We have a two (2) week refund period meaning if you decide the dog is not a good fit for your home and you return him/her within the two-week refund period we will return your adoption fee to you or possibly match you with another dog that is a better fit for your home. The adoption fee will be deposited upon receipt and refunded only if the adopted dog is returned within the two-week refund period.
If at any time you are having issues of any kind with your adopted dog, please contact TMAR to inform us. A volunteer will be in touch with you asap.
Step 10 –Post Adoption Follow-up Visit
Our adoption contract contains a clause that allows one of our volunteers or a representative the ability to perform a follow-up visit. We may require such a visit to check on how the dog is doing in its new home or if we feel that the terms of the adoption contract are not being met. Texas Mini Aussie Rescue is committed to the life, health and well-being of every dog we place for the remainder of that dog’s life. Should the adoption not work out or you need to rehome the dog, we require, by contract that the dog be returned to Texas Mini Aussie Rescue. The Dog shall never be abandoned, sold, given away or turned over to a shelter, SPCA or Humane Society.
The first step after reading the entire Adoption Process is to fill out an adoption application located on our websites Forms page by clicking HERE. This application will tell us about you and your lifestyle, training beliefs and background with animals. In addition, please review our Adoption Contract also located on the Forms page located at http://www.texasminiaussierescue.org/forms.html.
PLEASE NOTE: At this time, TMAR has a lack of foster homes with children, therefore we are unable to place our dogs in homes with young children under the age of 8 years old. We also do not adopt to college students. It has been our experience in the past that most do not know where life will take them in the next few years and adopting a dog is a serious lifetime commitment for the dog. In addition, Applicants must be at least 21 years of age or older to adopt from TMAR.
Step 2 – Application Preliminary Review
Our application review volunteers will initially screen your application to determine if all necessary information was provided. If your application is incomplete we cannot process your application and it will be denied.
Note: We receive numerous applications for each Mini Aussie we have available for adoption. Because if this applicants need to take their time when completing the adoption application and provide as much information about yourself, home and lifestyle as possibly. Otherwise this could result in your application being overlooked.
Step 3 – Veterinary References Contacted
Our volunteers will contact the veterinary reference(s) you provided to determine if all your previous and/or current pets are spayed/neutered and up to date on vaccinations as well as current on heart worm prevention. Please contact your veterinarian(s) and give them permission to provide a reference to TMAR when one of our volunteers contacts them.
If your veterinary reference(s) cannot verify that your past and/or current pets are spay/neuter, up to date on vaccinations and current on heart worm prevention, or you do not give us permission to contact your veterinarian(s) your application will be denied at this point in the process.
Step 4 – Landlord Approval Verified
If it is determined that you rent your home; your landlord will be contacted to make sure you have approval to have a dog in your home.
If your landlord does not allow for a dog in your home, your application will be denied at this point in the process.
Step 5 – Personal References Contacted
Our volunteers will contact the two personal references you list the Adoption Application and ask them several questions in regards to whether they consider you to be a responsible pet owner. This is the portion of the process that can take the most amount of time. It is helpful if you contact your references and ask them to return our calls in a timely manner.
If our reference checking volunteers have any major concerns about adopting a dog to you, based on communication with your references, your application may be denied at this point in the process.
Step 6 – Phone Interview
If your application has been approved up to this point in the adoption process and appears to be a match for a current dog in our foster program a volunteer will be in contact with you to discuss your application, the adoption process and our dog(s) as well as answer your questions. If our volunteers have any concerns about adopting a dog to you, based on communication in the phone interview, your application may be denied at this point in the process.
Step 7–Home Visit and Applicant Interview
TMAR requires home visits to determine if the dog will be living in a safe environment. This is an informal chance for us to get to know you, your lifestyle, and your home environment along with determining which dog(s) in our program might be the best fit for your family. The home visit volunteer will do a walk-through of your home and yard to ensure its safety and will advise on any areas of concern. All household members including pets must be present for the home visit. TMAR requires adopters to have a fully enclosed fenced yard without any areas of escape and locks on all gates.
Distance is a factor in whether or not the required home visit can be completed. We are a 100% volunteer run organization. Since the majority of our volunteers are based in Dallas/Fort Worth areas other locations in Texas are often too difficult for us to conduct a home visit at this time. We will let you know ASAP if your application needs to be denied due to our inability to find a volunteer to conduct the home visit. We do not approve out of state adoptions nor do we ship our dogs.
As required by TMAR applicants must have a secure fenced yard without any areas of escape and locks on all gates in order to be approved for adoption. If our home visit volunteers have any major concerns about your home environment, or if you refuse a home visit, your application will be denied at this point in the process.
Step 8 – Meeting between Approved Applicant & Available Dogs
Once you have been approved, a volunteer (usually the foster) will contact you to schedule a day/time to meet the dog(s) discussed. This meeting will occur at the foster home meaning applicants must be willing to meet at the fosters residence. All of our foster homes are located throughout Dallas/Fort Worth and the nearby surrounding areas. We do require all members of the household be present at the adoption meeting
Just because you have been approved to meet a dog(s) in our foster program, you are NOT guaranteed a particular dog. For most of our dogs’ we receive numerous applications so we may allow multiple applicants to have meetings with the dog before we choose a home that we feel is the best fit for the dog and its needs. Adoptions are not on a first come first serve basis as our main goal is to match the Mini Aussies we've rescued with a forever family that is best suited to each dog’s individual personality and needs ensuring a lifetime of love for both the dog and the adopter. Also, if the volunteer involved in the meeting with you and the dog, does not feel you are a good fit for the dog, you may be denied adoption of that particular dog but you may be allowed to adopt another dog.
TMAR does not have a shelter where our dogs can be visited. All of our dogs are in foster homes. We do NOT arrange meetings any meetings with our adoptable dogs until an applicant has been approved up to this point in the Adoption Process
Step 9 – Adoption
Once you have been approval to adopt a specific dog from a TMAR you will be required to sign an adoption contract and provide payment of the adoption fee. Please see the Adoption Contract on the Forms page our Forms page at http://www.texasminiaussierescue.org/forms.html. The adoption fee for an adoptable Mini Aussie through TMAR is $300.00 which helps to cover veterinarian expenses in regards to spay/neuter surgery, rabies, vaccinations, microchip, exams, heart worm testing, heart worm preventatives, flea and tick preventatives and treatment for injuries or illnesses as well as any other care related expenses as needed. Each dog also comes with its own matching collar and leash (harness when available) and TMAR identification tag. Because veterinarian services and care are expensive the adoption fee is used towards helping TMAR continue to rescue more Mini Aussies in need. All of our dogs are fully vetted prior to becoming available for adoption.
We have a two (2) week refund period meaning if you decide the dog is not a good fit for your home and you return him/her within the two-week refund period we will return your adoption fee to you or possibly match you with another dog that is a better fit for your home. The adoption fee will be deposited upon receipt and refunded only if the adopted dog is returned within the two-week refund period.
If at any time you are having issues of any kind with your adopted dog, please contact TMAR to inform us. A volunteer will be in touch with you asap.
Step 10 –Post Adoption Follow-up Visit
Our adoption contract contains a clause that allows one of our volunteers or a representative the ability to perform a follow-up visit. We may require such a visit to check on how the dog is doing in its new home or if we feel that the terms of the adoption contract are not being met. Texas Mini Aussie Rescue is committed to the life, health and well-being of every dog we place for the remainder of that dog’s life. Should the adoption not work out or you need to rehome the dog, we require, by contract that the dog be returned to Texas Mini Aussie Rescue. The Dog shall never be abandoned, sold, given away or turned over to a shelter, SPCA or Humane Society.
To see Mini Aussies available for adoption with our organization please click HERE