Big Dogs Big Hearts Rescue

Rochester/Buffalo, New York

PetSmart (5061 Transit Rd, Clarence NY) every Saturday from 12-2pm

Adoption Stages:
1. BDBH requires an application with references (personal and veterinary). All resident animals must be altered*, up-to-date on vaccinations, Heart Worm tested yearly and on Heart Worm preventative;
*Exception 1 - proof dog is a current working or show dog.
Exception 2 - written medical reason as why it would be dangerous to his/her health to spay/neuter.
2. If an application is approved, the next step is a home visit, for which all family members need to be present. The purpose of the home visit is to allow BDBH to get to know the potential adoptive family a little bit better. We are not looking for immaculate housekeeping, but rather a loving, safe environment for one of our rescue dogs. The volunteer(s) bring a dog with them on the home visit. The home visit volunteer(s) provides the rescue with information that helps us make a decision as to appropriate placements. We are trying to see the whole picture with the information available to us;
3. Once a family is approved at the home visit stage, our Home Visit Coordinator will notify the applicant, via an email, of approval. BDBH reserves the right to qualify an approval, i.e. approved to adopt a specific gender of dog, a submissive dog, a dog of certain age, etc. If we have more than one approved family interested in a particular dog, the foster family retains the right to make the final decision in the best interest of their foster dog. If another home is chosen that does not mean the prospective adopter would not be a good home, but rather that the situation does not meet that dog's best interest.
4. Once a family finds their new family member, we require the adopter(s) to sign an Adoption Contract which permits BDBH to do its best to always be there for its rescued dog, including reserving rights to have the adopted dog returned to BDBH for any default under the Adoption Contract. BDBH stays in close contact with the forever family i.e. questions, pictures, updates, visits.
Dogs are placed with the forever home that best meets the dog's needs. BDBH does not operate on a "first come, first served" basis. While we do our best to ensure a fair chance of adopting the dog of your choice, ultimately, we are looking out for the best interests of our rescued dogs. We consider each and every one of our rescue dogs part of our family.
BDBH does not reserve dogs. Completion of the adoption application and home visit begins the approved to adopt process.
BDBH reserves the right to refuse an application if the home situation or environment is deemed incompatible with the needs of our dogs. Our emphasis is on the dogs needs. We gladly answer any questions about our process, or any of our dogs. Please feel free to ask questions!