Frequently Asked Questions
Regarding Our Adoption Process
How do I adopt a dog from West Valley Animal Rescue?
Please start by filling out an adoption application. This will allow us to confirm your home is a great fit for the dog you are interested in adopting. After you have filled out the adoption application, please make sure that you send us a text message. We adopt on a first come basis and can not hold a dog till you are ready. Please make sure that you are ready to adopt when you apply. If your application shows you are a qualified and committed adopter it will be approved and we will reach out to you to schedule an adoption appointment. Typically this happens same or next day.
How can I meet one of your dogs?
You can meet our dogs in one of two ways – become approved to adopt or attend an event. All of our dogs are in foster homes, out of respect for their time, we only ask them to conduct meetings with approved adopters. We typically hold events in the fall and winter when weather allows, one or two Saturdays a month, but not all dogs go to all events. The quickest way to meet and adopt a dog is to fill out an application and text us when it’s submitted!
Can I bring my dog(s) with me to the adoption appointment?
We kindly request that you leave your dog(s) at home. Our goal is to ensure your full attention is on the dog you are considering for adoption rather than your current one. All of our dogs are introduced to a variety of other dogs of different ages, sizes, and temperaments and have very done well with them all, unless otherwise noted.
We have found that dogs often become overwhelmed during traditional "meet and greets" and may not exhibit their true personalities in these settings. The combination of travel to the appointment, activity in the foster home, exposure to unfamiliar dogs, and new scents can create a stressful environment for both the dogs and potential adopters. As a result, these interactions are not always an accurate reflection of how a dog will behave in a home environment.
Please keep in mind that building relationships between dogs takes time and does not always happen instantly. If you are adopting a dog with the primary goal of providing companionship for your current pet, it is essential to be patient and committed to fostering a positive bond between them. Just as human relationships develop over time, dogs also need an adjustment period to become comfortable with one another. Expecting an immediate connection is unrealistic, and a gradual, thoughtful introduction is key to a successful transition.
Where are you located?
We are a foster-based rescue, meaning that our dogs are not in a shelter. Our amazing foster families take care of our dogs in their own homes until they find their forever families.
How long does the adoption process take?
Typically when an application is submitted and the applicant sends a text message letting us know they submitted an application- we look at it immediately. This means you might be able to come adopt a dog the same day you fill out an adoption application. We are a very small, but very responsive rescue. If you are not ready to take a dog home today, we ask that you hold off on submitting your application till you are ready as the dog might not be available still when you are ready. There’s nothing more frustrating than knowing your application was approved, but the dog you had your heart set on gets adopted before you are available to schedule an appointment and if another approved applicant wants the same dog as you, and can come sooner, the dog will be adopted to them. So pretty please, hold off on submitting an application for a dog if you’re not available to schedule an appointment that same day.
Do you come out to our house and conduct a home visit?
We do not. We can find 95% of what we need to know by performing a simple Google search. If anything is missing, we will reach out to the applicant for more information.
Do you adopt out of state?
We do, but you must travel here to complete the adoption appointment.
If my application is the first submitted for a dog, do I get to adopt the dog?
Our objective is to find each of our dogs a loving, safe, committed and secure forever home that is well suited to his or her likes, disposition, habits and needs. That means if the fifth application submitted for that dog is the best fit, that applicant is who we will reach out to! We choose the adopter that is a best fit for the dog. If you submit an application for a dog and later see that dog has been adopted - please feel free to reach out to us and to see if there is another dog that might be a better fit for your home! Not getting selected for a specific dog typically doesn’t mean we won’t adopt to you, just that there was a better fit home for that specific dog.
What are your adoption donations?
Minimum adoption donations range from $300 to $800 depending on the size, age, temperament and breed of the dog. You may donate as much as you like over the minimum amount, and as we are an 501c3 non profit, it is all tax deductible. Adoption donations help cover the medical care of the animal while he or she waits for a new home, as well as food, housing and transportation costs. These funds also help provide care for other animals in the rescue who may have medical bills that are much higher than any possible adoption donation or who are with us for an extended period of time. The donations help support the organization as a whole, allowing us to continue efforts to rescue and re-home as many dogs as possible. We receive no monies from local cities or the state, we are completely funded by donations.
Where do the dogs in your rescue come from?
Our main focus is helping the rural shelters. We pull as many animals as possible, as often as possible so they are not overflowing. We are partnered with all the local county animal shelters as well as Arizona Humane Society. When space allows we occasionally take in owner surrenders, strays and dog listed on Facebook/Craigslist that are unaltered.
How much can you tell about us about the dogs past?
It is the nature of rescue that we cannot know our dog’s pasts in exacting detail. We will disclose everything we know to you up front, including any history, documentation, medical records and information we have observed. We want to make sure you know as much as we do because we want the dog you adopt to fit your home for life.
