Adoptables

Dogs and Puppies

1. What are you looking for?
The first step in the adoption process is taking a look through our adoptable dog/puppy albums to see if we have any dogs that may be options for you. 

2. Application
The next step in the adoption process is for you to fill out the appropriate application here on our website. We will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible. 

If you don't hear back, it is possible that animal has already been adopted, we received multiple applications and a different applicant has been selected, or that our adoption team is working as quickly as they can to get back to everyone! While we do our best to respond to applicants whether or not they are selected, it is not guaranteed that we will be able to. 

***Please note: it is NOT recommended to fill out an application for an animal we have not posted as accepting applications. If you are unsure as to whether or not we are accepting applications for a dog or puppy, please feel free to private message us on Facebook or send an email. 

3. Set up a meet and greet
Once your application has been approved/selected, we will contact you to arrange a meet and greet. We do not hold dogs for extended periods of time, so if the meet and greet is more than a couple days in advance, we will set it up with you tentatively, or ask that you check in on the day before you plan to come out to ensure that the dog(s) you were wanting to look at is/are still available. In this case, we may move to another application is there is another one that is approved. Whether or not you will be able to meet more than one dog or puppy with depend on multiple factors and cannot be guaranteed, as many of our animals are in foster homes so we have to take the fosters time into account as well. Please note that meet and greets are BY APPOINTMENT ONLY at this time and we are not accepting walk in adopters.

 4. What to bring
Before we can place a dog into a home, we need to meet every person who lives in the home. In order to speed up the process, and increase your chance of being matched with the right dog, it is best to plan for everyone to come out. If you would prefer not to bring everyone to the first meeting, it is important to ensure that the rest of the house hold can come out in a timely manner(ie within the next 1-2 days). 

We also need to meet any other dogs that live in the home to ensure they are compatible. This meeting happens here at the shelter. This step is not optional because it helps to ensure the safety of our adoptable dogs, your dog(s) and your family.

If you rent your home or reside in a condo, we need to see proof that you are allowed to own a dog where you currently reside. If you already have 1 or more dogs, we need to see proof that you are allowed another one. Proof needs to be specific to the dog you are applying for (ie. *permitted to adopt a large breed puppy*).

**We strongly urge you to consider the addition of a dog (especially a large breed dog) carefully if you are a renter. It can be extremely difficult in Alberta to find pet friendly rentals. By adopting one of our dogs, you are agreeing that you will do EVERYTHING possible to offer said dog a forever home. That is not always easy, so if you are a frequent mover a dog may not be the best idea until you are more settled.

5. Existing dogs
We require that any dogs who currently live in the home are up to date on vaccinations and are spayed or neutered (unless too young to do so, but then there must be plans to alter as soon as they are old enough. Exceptions may also be made for medical reasons).

6. What comes with your adopted dog
All dogs adopted through our program are altered, have at least one set of vaccinations, and a form of permanent ID (either a tattoo or a microchip). Our dogs will come with their vet records, and a free, 6 week pet insurance trial.  

7. Delayed Spay and Neuter Pilot Program 
 Throughout rescues in our area, the norm is to spay and neuter puppies as soon as they are old enough. This is called a pediatric spay/neuter and can be performed as early as 8 weeks old. While the procedure is, for all intents and purposes, safe and widely practiced, as time goes on and veterinary medicine progresses, there are more and more vets and experts urging owners to keep their animals intact longer to allow for more normal growth and development. There can also be behavioural benefits. 

In rescue, we have always done these surgeries so early, as our number one responsibility is to keep unwanted animals off the streets, and out of the shelter/rescue system. It is our responsibility to help remedy the problem – not be part of the problem. But we also feel the pull to do better by the animals that come into our care and the people who love them. For this reason, we have decided to launch a year long delayed spay/neuter pilot program to hopefully improve the quality of life and ultimate adoption experience for those who are opening their homes and hearts to the puppies in our care. 
The goal is to create more choice in the process and improve the quality of life for the puppies we adopt out where possible, without risking unwanted litters. What does this mean? When you adopt a puppy from New Chapter Animal Rescue, you have a few options when it comes to the neutering and spaying of your new family member. Our standard practice will be to keep puppies intact while they are in our care, at least until we have someone solidly interested in adopting them.

OPTION ONE(please note you MUST live within 3 hours of Red Deer Alberta to take part in this program): Once you go through the adoption process if you are matched up to a pup who has not been fixed yet and you wish to take part in the delayed s/n program, you will pay the standard adoption fee, as well as an additional $200 refundable deposit. You will then sign a contract stating that you will bring your animal into one of our vets during an agreed upon time frame to get the spay/neuter surgery done when the time comes (between 6-10 months of age). We will make the appointment – you just make sure to get your furbaby there! After the surgery is complete you can connect with us and we will refund you your $200 deposit. The full cost of the s/n surgery will be paid by us! 

OPTION TWO: If you do not live in/close to Red Deer or those who would rather have the surgery done prior to you bringing your new pet home, you can choose to pay a non-refundable $100 deposi t(which will ultimately be subtracted from your adoption fee). We will then agree on a meet and greet date/time, and get the spay or neuter done prior to that. Then when you come for the meet and greet, if the pup ends up being the right fit for your family they will be ready to go home on the same day!  If you cancel or no-show the meet, the $100 will not be returned to you, but if for whatever reason you come to the meet and the pup ends up not being the right fit for your family, we can apply the $100 to the adoption of a different puppy/dog or refund your money. If you prefer to not pay the deposit, we can always arrange the initial meet and greet, have you do the paperwork and pay the adoption fee, and then organize for you to come pick your pup up after its surgery. 

OPTION THREE: If the puppy you are interested in is already fixed (maybe they came that way or had an arranged meet or adoption that fell through), then the adoption will follow the same process as normal and you won’t need to worry about it! When you apply to adopt an animal from New Chapter Animal Rescue, we will help you through all of these options and choosing the one that best suits your lifestyle and your family, but please be aware, that many of the younger puppies, especially at adoption events, are probably part of the pilot program and may not be spayed or neutered yet. But we assure you, that this surgery is part of our adoption fee and we will make sure to make the process as easy as it can for you and your new pup!

8. Adoption fees
Adoption fees may vary depending on the individual dog, but the standard fees are as follows:

- Adult dogs - $450
- Senior dogs - $300
- Fixed Puppies - $525
- Delayed Spay/Neuter Puppies:  $600 + $200 refundable deposit

Foster-to-adopt program
Our adoption counsellors number one goal is to facilitate a successful adoption experience. In certain circumstances, when adopting an adult dog, you may have the option to do a foster-to-adopt trial. Once the adoption process has been completed, and the dog appears to be a good match, we will allow you a one week trial period to ensure the dog is the right fit for your home. Most often this will be utilized for our behavioural dogs or dogs with unknown backgrounds, but it will be up to the adoption teams discretion. If it turns out that the dogs is not a good fit for any reason, you will be able to return it into our care within the week. We will refund the adoption fee minus a $100 administration fee.

9. Returns - What happens if I have to bring my dog back?
While we understand that not every dog fits into every home after the adoption, we do put in a lot of time and energy selecting candidates, arranging meet and greets and coordinating with foster homes. 

In the event of a serious, unforeseen behavioural issue (e.g., concern for safety of yourself, your family or your other pets) the dog may be returned within 72 hours for a full refund. 

In the event of a return due to other circumstances(e.g. separation anxiety, barking, house training issues, incompatibility with other pets or family members, change in living situation or time availability, etc), an adoption counsellor may choose to give you a 50% refund within 72 hours based on their assessment of the situation. After 72 hours, any returns will not receive a refund and they may be subject to a surrender fee. 

We want everyone to take the adoption of a pet as seriously as we do and have a thorough adoption process for this reason. If after reading all of this, you think adopting from our organization is the right choice for you, please visit the following link below!