processexplained2

SCBR Adoption Process
by Marian Krueger:

WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO ADOPTING A BOXER FROM SCBR?

1. If you are at least 21 years of age, complete the online adoption application located exclusively on the SCBR site. If you filled it out on another site, we won't have access to it.
Please fill our application out in its entirety. The more thorough you are, the better an idea we will have of who you are and what kind of dog is suitable for you and your family.
PLEASE NOTE:   We do not do the "RENT TO OWN" method of placement. All dogs go to qualified foster homes for evaluation. If you are interested in adopting, please do not fill out the foster application, but only the adoption application. Completing the online adoption application does not imply that you will receive a dog from SCBR.

2. Read your email regularly to look out for your interview information. You will be asked to forward your three personal references and call in your interview to an SCBR interviewer.Calling in for your interview does not imply that you will receive a dog from SCBR.

3. You may be asked to be available for a home check. An SCBR representative will call you to schedule a date and time convenient for everyone.Compliance on the home check does not imply that you will receive a dog from SCBR or that you have been approved to receive one from us.

4. The matching process. SCBR begins the process of matching the most suitable dog to the most suitable home.; At the same time, we ask approved candidates to research trainers in their area, buy crates, toys and other items to prepare for a new arrival; This is the time everyone gets excited about including us! This will also give you time to prepare for your trip, short or long, to pick up a dog that is matched with you.  The transport of dogs via CUR (Canine Underground Railroad) is used to help get a dog out of a shelter and into rescue, but not used to transport a dog into their new home.& As we are a volunteer organization, dogs are not delivered to the adoptive family so please plan accordingly.  If we contact you about a placement, this will not be a visit with the dog, but an adoption.  You will be asked to make arrangements to come get your new boxer!
How long does this process take?  We cannot give you a time frame only because each application is unique.  We do not rush to place dogs and we do not rush the application process.; We pride ourselves in our commitment to each dog in rescue and we are always trying to improve the process for them.  If you feel like you are ready to make the commitment to a rescue dog, proceed to the adoption application.

Age: 4 years old
Weight: Approx. 65 lbs.
Small Children (under 4)? Yes
Children over 4? Yes
Separation Anxiety? Unsure
State: Connecticut
Neutered/UTD: Yes/Yes
Microchipped: No
Other dogs? Yes
Cats? Yes
Crate trained? Yes
Housetrained? Yes
Obedience trained? Somewhat
Currently attending obedience? No
Leash Trained: Yes
Adoption Donation: $300.00

Age: May be actual or estimated from shelter or vet
Weight: Usually actual weight but may be estimated upon first arrival
Small Children (under 4)? If a dog is good with children under 4, we will put a yes here. If the dog is excitable or jumpy, we will probably put no as the dog will need training to be around young children.
Children over 4? Same as above, but with regard to older children
Separation Anxiety: We are talking extreme cases here where the dog will break out of a crate or window and hurt themselves if left alone. Mild cases will be noted, but what this means is that the dog does not do well at all when left alone.
State: State where dog is being fostered.   If you are not willing to drive to another state to pick up a dog, you will need to look for a dog that is fostered near you. SCBR does not transport dogs to their new homes.
Neutered/UTD: Is the dog spayed or neutered? Is the dog up to date on all shots? When a dog first comes in, more than likely they will not be neutered or up to date. While in rescue you will see these values change. All dogs leave spayed and neutered and up to date.
Microchipped: Effective 8/00, SCBR began microchipping many rescue dogs in the state of Maine.   The cost to the adoptive family is $20.00 for the microchip and registration.   This fee is not optional. Should a dog with a microchip ever get lost, either a shelter or a vet's office can scan the dog and the dog will be returned to us immediately. The AVID microchip ensures the safety of each of our rescue dogs.
Other dogs?: Is this dog good with other dogs?   If no, there will be a description as to why in the dog's description
Cats?: Same as above
Crate trained?: If a dog does not come in crate trained, by the time he or she leaves, they will be! Watch their progress here!
Housetrained? Puppies especially may not be completely housetrained, but watch how quickly they learn.
Obedience trained: If a dog knows most basic commands, we will put a yes here.   We try to have the dogs at least master "sit" before they leave.
Currently Attending Obedience?: Many foster dogs will also attend professional obedience classes while in their foster homes to help them get on their way to becoming adopted. This is above and beyond basic obedience that they get in their foster homes. It helps with not only their understanding of commands that are taught in class, but also is great for socialization. These are the same reasons for which we ask adoptive families to continue the dogs in training.
Leash trained: As boxers are infamous for pulling on lead, being leash trained means that they understand that they are on a leash and can walk with you although it does not mean they walk without pulling. That is what our adoptive families will need to work on once the dog is placed.
Adoption Donation: See chart below for donation ranges

The adoption donation is a range specific to the dog's age. The adoption donations are as follows:

Puppies to Dogs up to 6 years: $300
Dogs 7 years and over: $150.00

Any puppy that is adopted prior to the age of six months that is unable to be spayed or neutered will have an adoption donation of $350.00. At the time of the spay or neuter, the owner will provide a copy of the spay/neuter certificate and will be reimbursed $50.00. For those dogs with medical issues that cannot be spayed or neutered prior to adoption (this is rare, but we felt we should include this just in case), the dog will be released not on an adoption contract, but on a foster contract until the spay/neuter can be performed. Once completed, an adoption contract will be completed between the new owner and SCBR.

Recent implementation of the new sliding scale adoption donation is a result of increased medical fees in the areas that we cover. Please remember that the adoption donation is not for purchase of a dog, but rather to cover the medical cost of all of the dogs in our care.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Placements: Once a dog is placed in a new home, the new family is required to begin obedience training and provide SCBR with the name and address of the trainer. The new family signs an adoption contract which includes among other things, required follow up contact on scheduled dates:  Week one, Month one, two, three, six and twelve. Why do we do this? So we have regular contact with the family to make sure the dog is safe and happy and also to help answer questions or concerns. The adoptive family can participate in our private adoption list online which is not open to the public to have questions answered by other adoptive families who have gone through the same process. Our newsletter is for everyone, even those without internet access to stay up to date on all the latest and greatest SCBR news.