Adopting
IMPORTANT! Due to a shortage of volunteers at this time, the processing of applications will take longer than usual. It may take us up to a week to respond to your application. We appreciate your patience.
We would also very much appreciate it if you would consider volunteering for us. We are especially in need of phone interviewers for the vetting of our adoption applications. The position is done from the comfort of your home, at a time that is convenient for you and for any time commitment you can provide.
COVID-19 UPDATE: Due to the global pandemic and associated travel restrictions, it is taking longer than usual to find flight volunteers to escort dogs to Vancouver. Beneath each dog’s bio, we have provided an estimate of how long it is taking to get dogs from each region to Canada. We have also provided alternative methods (and costs associated) to receive your dog sooner.
PLEASE NOTE: There is no expectation for the adopter to pay any more than the adoption fee itself. We simply provide these as options in case an adopter wishes to receive their dog sooner, rather than wait for a flight volunteer to come to Vancouver. If you choose one of these options, Mehregan Rescue Group will be as transparent as possible with you regarding the costs and will ask for your approval before any travel arrangements are made.
Applying for a Dog
Please keep in mind that there may be multiple applications for a single dog and that even if your phone interview and home check are successful, there is no guarantee that you will be matched with the dog you have applied for. Your chances of a successful match greatly increase if you list more than one dog on your application.
Application Requirements
You must be 21 or older and be able to meet the dog when it arrives at the International Airport.
FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN – In general, Mehregan Rescue Group will not approve an adoption to a family with children under the age of 8 years. Please note: if your application is denied for this reason, please respect our guidelines and understand that we want to keep both dogs and kids alike safe. Only specific dogs may satisfy the criteria to be adopted to homes with young children. Under specific circumstances, we will consider applications with children under the age of 8 but only if we have video proof from the foster/shelter showing the dog interacting safely with a young child. We require a waiver to be signed for any homes with children under 18. Please view our Adoption Info page for more details.
The Adoption Process
Step 1 – Fill out the Application Form
The first step in the application process is filling out the application form by clicking on the “Adopt” button on the dog’s website profile. The application may seem rather long but the questions are all important in helping us determine the suitability of bringing an overseas rescue into your home. As a result, we recommend you take time to fill out each question fully and thoughtfully.
If questions are not answered or an answer indicates that your home may not be suitable for one of our dogs, your application will be denied and a denial letter will be emailed to you. Please understand that denial is not necessarily a reflection on your ability to provide for a dog, just that we are not confident that a match would be successful for one of our dogs. Should your application be denied we suggest perhaps applying with a different rescue group or looking for a local dog that you can go and meet first.
Step 2 – Complete the Phone Interview
The next step is a Phone Interview conducted by one of our volunteers at a time that is convenient for you both. Our volunteer will generally be in contact with you approximately three to five days after you submit your application. The purpose of the phone interview is to discuss answers to your application and ask any clarifying questions. We want to hear about your past dog experience, your lifestyle, and what you are looking for in a dog. The average call takes about 15 minutes and will mostly be about you, not the dog you are applying for. Most of our volunteers are adopters themselves so the Phone Interview is also a great opportunity for you to chat about their adoption experience too! Upon completion, the volunteer will report back to the Adoption Team which will determine if your application qualifies to go to the next step.
Step 3 – Complete the Home Check
Once the Phone Interview notes have been reviewed and approved, you will be contacted (generally within three to five days) with regards to setting up a time to do a Home Check. Home Checks are currently being done remotely by video chat, Skype, Whatsapp, etc. but will hopefully be in-person visits if possible. The purpose of the Home Check is to ensure that your home is ready to accept a dog. We will be looking for things like possible escape areas and potential safety hazards. If we see any areas of concern we will discuss these with you so that changes can be made before the dog’s arrival.
Upon completion, the volunteer will report back to one of our Adoption Facilitators who will determine if your application qualifies to go to the next step.
Step 4 – The Approval Email
Assuming you have met all the requirements and it seems likely that adoption would be successful, you should hear good news from our Adoption Team that your application has been approved! Approval notification is done via email within approximately three to five days of completing your home check. You will also be notified at that time whether a match has been made with the dog(s) you applied for OR if we feel that you would be better suited for a different dog. We will do our best to offer alternative suggestions whenever possible.
Please keep in mind that there may be multiple applications for a single dog and that even if your Phone Interview and Home Check are successful, that is no guarantee that you will be matched with the dog you have applied for. Your chances of a successful match greatly increase if you list more than one dog on your application.
LOCAL DOGS
If you have applied for a dog that is being fostered locally, once you have received the approval email, we will connect you directly with the foster family so that you can arrange to meet the dog. The meeting is typically done in a socially-distanced fashion at a mutually agreed upon location. Either you or the foster may request that additional meeting(s) take place before a final decision is made. Before taking the dog home you will be asked to complete and sign the adoption contract and send us the adoption fee.
Step 5 – Send the Deposit
If you have been approved to adopt an overseas dog you will be asked to send a refundable deposit. Note that this deposit is only refundable if your adoption falls through before the dog is booked on their flight. The deposit is NOT refundable if you decide to cancel the adoption after a Flight Volunteer has already been found. Flight Volunteers are extremely valuable and a lot of work goes into finding a willing passenger and booking the dog onto his or her ticket. This means it is extremely important that you let us know right away if your adoption plans change.
Step 6 – Your Dog Goes onto a Flight Wait List
Once the dog has been secured with your deposit, he or she goes onto a flight waitlist. The shelter then works to find a traveller who is willing to add the dog & crate as ‘extra luggage’ onto their ticket. (There is no cost to the traveller to do this as the shelter covers all extra expenses.) Once a Flight Volunteer has been found, the dog is checked by a veterinarian who will ensure that the dog is healthy and that his or her shots are up to date. The vet will then approve the dog for flight and provide all medical documentation including their vaccination record.
Step 7 – Receive Your Dog’s Flight Info
Once the dog’s flight has been booked you will receive an email with their flight information as well as specific instructions regarding when you get to the airport, what time you need to be there, and what you need to bring with you.
At this stage, you will receive an Invoice with a detailed breakdown of your deposit.
Step 8 – Pay the Remainder of your Adoption Fee
Once your dog is booked on a flight, the remaining Adoption Fee will be due. Please send the amount due by PayPal or any other online payment to our account.
NOTE: Although your payment will be automatically deposited, the Adoption Fee (including the deposit) is fully refundable if you determine within 21 days of your dog’s arrival that they are not a good fit for your family. It is possible to request an extension on the trial period, however, please notify us ahead of time if you feel this will be required. In the unlikely event you find your dog is not a good fit within the first 3 weeks (or the agreed-upon extension period), the adoption fee will be refunded to you. We will then try to find a foster home for your dog or, if a foster home cannot be found, we may ask that you keep the dog until a new adoptive home is found.
You will also need to sign the Adoption Agreement and send it to us by email.
After submitting both the remaining Adoption Fee and Adoption Agreement, the adoption is considered to be final.
STEP 9 – Meet your Dog at the Airport
The wait is over and your dog is here! The dog’s paperwork including vaccination records will be handed over to you at the airport.
NOTE: Our adoption fees do not include certain airport-related costs. If your dog is flying into Canada, you can expect to pay different fees to release your dog. If your dog is flying into the US, similar fees may apply. Please have the money with you at the airport for this reason.
CONGRATULATIONS! You are now on your way home with your newest family member!
The Cost of Dog Ownership
Adopting a rescue dog can bring you an infinite amount of joy. You’re saving a dog’s life and in return, the pup will love you unconditionally! However, besides adoption fees, there are financial costs that come with having a furry friend. Make sure you are financially prepared.