Adopt

Thank you for your interest in adopting a Secondhand Mutt. The dogs featured on our homepage (with exception to those indicated as ‘adoption pending’) are actively seeking for a forever home to call their own. In some cases they still may be in need of a foster home. We hope you have found interest in one of our dogs and if that is the case we’d like to tell you about our  adoption process. 

While our dogs are staying in foster provider homes they are receiving real-life experience to make it easier for their transition to their forever home.  The volunteers caring for our dogs in their homes typically report back to us to provide the public with as much information as possible; including their behavior, habits at home and in the public and their social skills in order for us to answer incoming questions with honesty and integrity.

Most of the dogs we care for and place are deemed social with other dogs and spend time playing with lots of furry friends at The Mutt Hutt where our organization is hosted. We do not sugar coat our dogs to make a hasty placement.  We respect the dog. 

Don’t see the right dog for your household or lifestyle? If you do not see a dog featured online but want to adopt from Secondhand Mutts, we would like to get to know you and match you with a dog.  Please fill out our adoption application and check the box ‘Mutt-Match’ at the start of the application process. This allows us to learn a little bit about you and what kind of dog you are looking to adopt. We will then try and find a dog that matches your description and connect you through this program.

Please read through this entire page and when you are ready to start the online adoption application process, please scroll to find the application at the bottom of this page.

Meet-Our-Mutts

♦ We are not open to the public. Our dogs are typically in foster homes and therefore we ask that you not to come to our facility to meet dogs unless you have an appointment made in advance to do so. 
♦ Come to any one of our events featured on our events calendar page which are also posted on our Facebook event page. Event times and locations are subject to change.
♦ To inquire about which dogs will be at an event, send our volunteer events coordinator an email in advance.
♦ Private introductions with a volunteer or the dogs foster provider are arranged after we have received the online adoption application.

The Adoption Process

♦ We do not adopt to out-of-state applicants. You must live in Ohio to adopt a Secondhand Mutt.
♦ Our dogs are not placed on a first-come, first-serve basis. We carefully review the applications we receive and place our dogs in the home that best matches what is needed for each dog individually.
♦ We are a 100% volunteer operation and ask for your patience while our volunteers process and respond to applications. 
♦ Please research the breed or breed mix you are interested in adopting to understand the needs of the breed.
♦ After submitting the online adoption application we encourage applicants to notify those listed as personal and/or landlord references you have done so and let them know they may be receiving calls from unknown or blocked callers and to please check messages. We do not text applicants.
♦ Please notify the veterinarian listed on your application to give the clinic staff authorization for releasing your current or previous animals records to our volunteers. If you do not have pets please list the name of the clinic you plan to establish a relationship with.

Step 1: Application Screening

♦ Our website is usually up to date to show the status of a dogs availability. 
♦ We sometimes receive no applications for a dog for weeks or months while other dogs we receive dozens of applications. Please keep in mind we cannot guarantee placement for our dogs with those who have applied to adopt from us.
♦ Each application received is carefully screened by our ‘Dog Adoption Committee’ volunteers.  During the screening we will work together with the foster provider hosting our dog to review the application and determine any key matching elements for a forever placement (i.e. if our dog requires a fenced yard we will make sure the applicant has a fenced yard or if a dog is not child-friendly we will not place a dog in a home with children, etc.). 
♦ We strive to respond to all applications received.
♦ In some cases we may not be able to respond in a timely manner as this depends on the dog and/or our volunteer availability.
♦ It may take anywhere from two days to ten days from the time the adoption application has been submitted to our volunteers to receive an email response while we carefully screen each application.
♦ Once you have successfully submitted the online adoption application check your inbox ‘Spam folder’ for any email correspondence our volunteers may be sending.

Step 2: Reference Checks

♦ Upon request another group of dedicated volunteers will reach out to the personal, landlord (when applicable) and veterinary clinic and begin outreach to ask those listed a few questions about the applicant.
♦ The timeline for reference checking is determined by the response time from the references we have reached.
♦ If we are unable to reach a reference we may contact you by phone or email for additional information. 
♦ After references calls are done we will contact you by email and/or phone to provide you with the status of your application and/or the status of the dog you’ve applied to adopt.

Step 3: Matched! Meet-and-Greet

♦ Now that your application has been approved our volunteers will contact you by email to set up an in-person meeting for applicants to meet the dog applied for.
♦ When a request is made in advance we may have the ability to introduce more than one dog. 
♦ The meet and greet will take place at either the foster providers home, at The Mutt Hutt or a public location arranged in advance.
♦ Dependent on the dogs immediate trial adoption eligibility with an applicant, we will notify the applicant in the meet and greet confirmation email they may have the option to take our dog home the same day to begin the trial adoption period.

Step 4: Trial Adoption

♦ With the exception of puppies (1 year or younger) we prefer to place our dogs in homes for a trial adoption period. We believe this is the best way to make sure the home chosen for our dogs is the right home and the dog our applicants have picked is the right fit.
♦ Homes with kids, cats or other dogs are always subject to the trial adoption unless we have made a special exception. 
♦ Applicants approved to take a dog for a trial are typically given up to two weeks for the trial.
♦ During this time we ask the adopter(s) to put their family, children (when applicable) and other pets first. There will be adjustments and we will be there to assist you throughout the process.
♦ If during any time it’s determined the dog is not a fit we will take our dogs back and continue on to match and place them into a home. It’s important to know there will be a transition period which can take anywhere from 30 days to 6 months. If you need more time than the two weeks we have allotted, let us know before giving up.
♦ We ask that you live your life as you normally would and not adjust your life during the trial adoption as this may interfere with the dogs adjustments to “normal” life.
♦ We will assign an after-hours volunteer (usually the foster provider) to stay in contact with should you need assistance with anything. 
♦ Upon request we will provide dog obedience and training services and sessions with one of the many talented dog trainers we have relationships with. This service is funded with donations made through The Extra Mile program. In some cases we will require this. 
♦ A limited and designated number of continued socialization sessions are available at no-cost through The Mutt Hutt where our dogs are socialized. This will be discussed at the time of the release or in the days following.  
♦ We provide the trial adopter with all the supplies needed to care for our dogs including a collar and leash, dog food, a crate, toys, and bedding when available. There is no need to spend extra money until you’ve decided to make it official and adopt. 
♦ In circumstances where the dog is absolutely not a match and the help we have provided is not allowing for positive advancement for placement, we understand and will take our dogs back. We just ask that you provide us with as much information as possible so we can use it for the next match. 
♦ In the event you are sure about the adoption and only 3 days have passed let us know and we can usually expedite the adoption within a few days.

Step 4: The Adoption

You’ve fallen in love or perhaps ready to take on the challenges of the dog you’ve chosen to give a home to. Our adoption fees for adult dogs range from $250-$350 and puppies adoption fees are $275. The average cost to provide basic healthcare and spay/neuter surgery for a dog exceeds the adoption fee. In some cases we lower the fees. This may happen when a dog has been returned and we have already collected a fee or if the dog has been in our program for a very long time.

Let’s make it official! 

♦ Send an email to our ‘Dog Adoption Committee’ volunteers to let them know you are ready to adopt. 
♦ Allow us up to a few days to coordinate the adoption and prepare the necessary paperwork to facilitate the adoption. 
♦ Our volunteers will send an email to confirm the adoption.
♦ Adoption paperwork will be sent via email to the email address provided on the adoption application.
♦ After the adoption is complete, we ask that any and all of the items borrowed for the trial adoption are returned. 
♦ The adopter will receive a copy of the dogs medical records and adoption contract. 
♦ Adoption fees are paid at the time of the adoption through a digital link. If you would prefer to pay via cash or check, please let us know in advance.
♦ Addition monetary or general donations are welcome!

Ready to Adopt?

Please tell us the name of the dog you are interested in adoption. *

How did you hear about Secondhand Mutts? * SecondhandMutts.org WebsiteInternet Search (Google, etc.)PetFinder.comFacebookReferred by a friendAdvertismentBuilding SignEventOther

Have you adopted a dog from Secondhand Mutts in the past? *

Yes

No

Applicant Personal Information

Applicant Name *

Applicant Street Address (where dog will be living) *

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Phone (please use dashes) *

Email *

Household Information

Do you own or rent your residence? * OwnRent

For those who lease/rent a residence provide your landlord’s name and telephone number. This is a requirement not an option. We will call your landlord and verify through county records who the home owner is.

How many adults live in the residence? Please share their relationship with you (spouse, partner, parent, housemate, etc.). *

Are there currently children living at your residence? *

Yes

No

N/A

If you answered yes to the above share the age of each child.

If you do not have children living in your home how often and what are the ages of the children visiting the residence? *

Have your children or the children visiting your residence been exposed to dogs? *

Yes

No

N/A

Do you have a fenced-in yard? *

Yes – Fully Fenced

Yes – Partially Fenced

No

Please describe the type and height of fence.

If you do not have a fence would you consider installing one?

Yes

No

What is your typical plan for pet care when you are traveling away from home? *

How often do you travel? *

The following information you provide will not disqualify you in any way for our adoption process. Do you have any immediate plans for vacation time or days away from your newly adopted dog within the next 30 days? *

Yes

Nothing planned

If so, please list those dates below. We ask this only to understand if we will need to ask the foster parent of the dog you are interested in for an extended stay or if your dog may need to stay at the foster providers home if not adopted before your travel dates.

New Pet Information

Have you ever adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue organization? If yes, when and where did you get it? *

Have you ever surrendered a pet? If yes, please explain. *

What are your expectations for your new pet? *

What activities will you engage in with your new pet? *

How many hours per day are your pets or will your new pet be left alone? *

What is your philosophy or experience with dog training/dog behavior? *

In the event children were to visit or there are future children residing in the home how would you describe your philosophy for introducing kids on interacting the new dog? *

Are you comfortable that you have the financial resources to deal with any unexpected vet expenses that may arise? If your dog were sick or injured, are you prepared to take money that you had allocated for other things (vacations, etc.) to pay for the dog’s vet expenses? How would you feel about doing that? *

Current Pet(s) in Residence

Do you currently have pets you care for living at your residence? *

Yes

No

List each pet currently residing in your residence including: species, gender, age, how long you’ve owned each and where you acquired each pet from.

Are your pets up to date on vaccinations, heartworm and flea preventative? *

Are your dogs/cats in the residence actively protected with flea prevention?

Yes: Topical

Yes: Oral

Yes: Seasonal Collar

No: please educate me!

If applicable is your dog in the residence actively protected with heartworm prevention?

Yes: Monthly Preventative

No: My dog gets an annual heartworm blood test

No, please educate me!

If applicable where are your current dogs or cats kept (inside, outside, crated, etc.)? *

Are your pets socialized with dogs (dog park, friend/relatives dogs, daycare, etc.)?

Please add any additional information here you would like us to know about you, your family, and/or your household when our adoption committee is considering you for the pet you have applied for: *

Veterinary Clinic Information

Please provide your vets telephone number. We would also advise that you contact your vet to let them know you have applied to adopt a Secondhand Mutts. Some vets will not release history or records unless this has been authorized in advance.

Please list the veterinarian you currently use along with the city they practice in. If you do not have a relationship with a veterinarian please list one you would affiliate yourself with for your new pet. *

Personal References

Please do not choose family members or significant other. We would like for at least one reference to be an immediate neighbor. Please let your references know you have applied to adopt a Secondhand Mutts. Our volunteers will be calling references and depend on your references to return their calls to process the application as quickly as we can.

Personal Reference #1 (List their name, phone number and relationship with this person) *

Personal Reference #2 (List their name, phone number and relationship with this person) *

Personal Reference #3 (List their name, phone number and relationship with this person) *

Please add my email/name to the Secondhand Mutts mailing list: *

Yes, add me!

No, I’ll join myself another time.

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