Second Chance German Shepherd Rescue Houston Adoption Process

  1. Please read our Adoption Policy before filling out an application.
  2. Please be as detailed as possible on your application. Also, be sure that you have answered all questions as completely as possible, which will help speed the application process. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
  3. Once your application is successfully submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. Since we are an all-volunteer organization with limited resources, please allow up to 2 weeks for your application to be processed. We do our best to process applications as quickly as possible.
  4. Please alert your references that we will be calling as this will help speed up the application process. It is preferable that you list someone who knows you and your pets (if applicable) quite well. You may only use one family member as a reference.
  5. Please contact your veterinarian’s office and give your permission for them to release your veterinary records to us. We will need to verify the following information:
     
    1. All dogs & cats in your household are spayed or neutered, unless veterinarian provides a valid medical reason as to why they cannot be altered.
    2. All dogs & cats in your household are up to date on their vaccinations.
    3. All dogs in your household receive regular heartworm and flea preventative.
    If we cannot verify this information, your application will be declined.
  6. If you do not own your home, you must provide your landlord’s name and contact information on the adoption application so that we may contact him/her. We also require all renters to submit a signed letter from their landlord that states you are allowed to have a GSD on the property. Once we receive your application, we will email you the specifics of what should be contained in the letter from your landlord. We cannot begin processing your application until we receive this information.
  7. After you have passed your reference checks, a volunteer will call you to set up a home visit. A home visit is required prior to being approved to adopt or foster. All members of the household must be present for the home visit, including children. The home visit gives us an opportunity to discuss adoption, German Shepherd ownership and to assess the environment in which one of our dogs will live. This is also a good time for you to discuss any concerns or questions you might have in regards to adopting a rescued GSD. After the visit, the volunteer completing your home visit will submit a report to the Application Coordinator who, along with the Application Committee, will decide upon approving your application to adopt or foster.
  8. After a successful home visit, you will receive an approval to adopt a GSD! A volunteer will call you to discuss the dogs in our program and help match you up with dog(s) that are appropriate for your family and lifestyle then help you set up visits with the dog(s). Please note that there is no guarantee that the dog you applied to adopt will still be available for adoption once your application has been processed. We do not “hold” dogs. Our dogs are not adopted on a “first come first served basis”, rather dogs are placed in the home environment that best meets their needs. There are many factors that go into our placement decision, as we want to make sure that our rescued GSD is truly going to their forever home.
  9. We require adopters to have a minimum of two visits with the GSD they wish to adopt before the adoption can take place. If both meetings go well and the foster feels it is a good match, you will sign an Adoption Contract and pay the adoption fee. Please note that the adoption fee is non-refundable.
  10. Congratulations, you get to take your new family member home! We love hearing updates from our rescues’ forever families. Please keep in touch and send us pictures!