Helping Animals Since 1977

Our Dog Adoption Process

Animalert’s dog adoption process is designed to ensure (as best as possible) that the correct match is being made for each Animalert dog. For that reason, the foster parent plays a part in the adoption as they know the requirements and the personality of their foster dog best.


How to adopt a dog:

If you are interested in adopting an Animalert dog, below is the process you will be involved in.


Step 1: Adoption Application

Complete the dog adoption online application


Step 2: Phone Screening

Once your adoption application has been received, selected applicants (not every applicant) will be contacted by one of Animalert’s Adoption Team members who will do a phone screening with you. This is an opportunity to go over your adoption application and discuss the Animalert adoption process.


Step 3: Meeting the Animalert Dog

If you meet the preliminary screening criteria, your contact number and/or email address will be passed along to the foster parent of the dog you're interested in.

The foster parent will contact you to set up an initial meeting between you and the Animalert dog. This meeting may take place at the foster parent's home or somewhere you mutually agree upon, like a dog park or Adoption Event. This gives you a chance to meet the dog and gives the foster parent or team member a chance to meet you.


Step 4: Home Visit and Vet reference

If the decision is that the dog and your family are a good match, arrangements are made for a home visit. All members of your household (human and pet) must be present. The purpose is to look at safety aspects, escape routes and home environment. We don’t bring our white gloves. We are looking for a dog friendly and dog “safe” home.

Providing you have been a pet guardian previously we will require a vet reference.


Step 5: Time to Think

There is a mandatory 24 hour cooling off period after the home visit to give you and the team member time to determine whether the Animalert dog would be a good fit in your home.


Step 6: Finalizing the Adoption

If both you and the team member agree to move forward with the adoption, arrangements can be made to finalize the adoption. You will be asked to sign an adoption contract.

You will also be asked to pay the adoption fee at this time, which is between $550 to $750. Please see our Adoption FAQs page for more details and each dog listing for their specific fee.

All Animalert dogs are spayed/neutered in order to help control the population of unwanted dogs. The adoption fee covers the cost of this procedure, as well as all other shots and immunizations, heartworm test, other treatments and tests needed, and microchipping.

Enjoy a long and happy life with your Animalert dog!


If you have questions about the adoption process or would like to learn more about one of Animalert’s adoptable dogs, please contact us.