Adoption Process
Thank you for considering a RARE animal adoption! We're dedicated to matching you with the perfect pet. All adoptables are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and tested (FeLV/FIV for cats, heartworm for dogs over six months, with preventative care or treatment as needed).
Step 1. Adoption Application
An Adoption Application must be completed to start the Adoption Process.
It only takes a few minutes and allows us to know exactly what you are looking to adopt and the time, training, etc. you are willing to dedicate.
​
Some animals need more time than others.
*Please note adopters need to be at least 21 years of age.
Step 2. Let's Talk!
Once we receive your Adoption Application, we will call you about the specific needs / wants of your family.
We will discuss if the animal you are interested in adopting would be the best fit, or if there are any other adoptable animals in our program that may be a better fit.
We will work with your schedule to set up a day and time for our President and/or Training Director to bring the adoptable animal(s) to your home that you are interested in meeting and potentially adopting....And maybe start an Adoption Trial! (See Step 4 for details)
Step 3. Let's Meet!
Home Introduction:
When?
We are normally available for appointments every day (except Mondays) 12 Noon - 8:00 PM.
*Please note that ALL of the members of the household, human and non-human, need to be present at the Home Introduction.
​
How long will appointment take?
Some introductions take only 30 minutes to an hour; others may take up to two hours, depending on how many other animals are currently living in the home.
A proper introduction is key to avoiding altercations and provides safety for your family and our organization.
​
Adoption Resource Guide:
Prior to any home introduction appointment, we will provide you with an Adoption Resource Guide via email. This guide provides you with important information regarding what you should have prepared, what we will bring with us, food, crate size, training, and more!
​​
Step 4. 30 Day Trial
A 30 day trial can start on the day of the home introduction, if your family and RARE agree that the adoptable would be a good potential fit.
We will bring the following to the home introduction:
*Folder containing medical records
*Any necessary medication (including heartworm prevention for that month),
*Food - at least 4 to 5 days of food that can be used to mix in with new food to avoid stomach upset.
​
Dog Food:
Purina Pro Plan, Nature's Select and other quality foods, depending on our food donations and resources at the time -
The Adoption Resource Guide you receive before the trail will list the specific food
​
Cat Food:
Purina Pro Plan, Nature's Select and other quality foods, depending on our food donations and resources at the time - ​The Adoption Resource Guide you receive before the trail will list the specific food
***The Adoption Contract with the trial clause must be signed and any fees collected to start.***
​
Adoption Fee:
Your adoption fee is fully transferable to another adoptable if the 30-day trial is not a success or 1/2 of the adoption fee will be refunded upon request​
​
Forever Return Policy:
​
After 30 day trial expires - ​As part of our contract, if for any reason throughout the adoptee’s lifetime that you are unable to keep or care for them, they must be returned to RARE, providing that RARE can find a foster or adopter (min. 14 days notice).
​
If there is a friend or family member interested in caring for the adoptee, the adopter must first contact RARE and coordinate for said person to sign an Adoption Contract with RARE - this is to protect the adopted animal and the adopter.
The adopted animal cannot be sold, taken to a shelter or another rescue, or given away, even to a friend or a family member without contacting RARE.
​
In the event of a return after the 30 day trial, the adoption fee will be considered a donation.
What the Fee?!
Q: Why is there a fee to adopt an animal?
A: Not all animals that enter our program are in perfect health. Medical costs vary depending on the condition in which we find them. These ailments can include but are not limited to, heart-worm disease, broken limbs, urinary tract infections, luxating patellas, or any other injury that may require medical intervention. In addition to medical expenses, each animal receives spay/neuter, vaccines, de-worming, and is placed on heart-worm and flea and tick prevention if applicable.
These adoption fees help ALL the animals in our program and aren't specific to each animal.
Q: Why are the adoption fees different for some animals?
A: Adoption fees vary depending on the animal's age, size, temperament, etc. The adoption fees make it possible for our organization continue to save more lives while providing care for ALL of the animals in our current programs.
Q: Why are shelter fees often lower than rescue fees?
A: We rescue from the most rural areas. This can include hoarding cases, animal neglect and cruelty, abandonment, rural municipal shelters with lack of space, and puppy mills. Often times these animals not only need medical care, but socialization and behavioral training which takes time and resources.
​
Q: Is my adoption fee refundable?
A: If within the 30 day trial period, the adoptable is returned, you have the option of meeting and starting a trial with a different adoptable OR In the event of a return, the adoption fee will be either considered a donation, transferred to another adoptable or half of the adoption fee is refunded upon request.
