Rocky Mountain Collie and Sheltie Rescue, Inc.

Our first step is the application on our website. We are happy to talk at length on the phone with prospective adopters in order to find the best match possible. Prospective adopters, family members and often their pets come to meet our rescue dogs to see if the match seems right. Interested adopters then can take the dog home on a "doggie visit" to see if everything appears to work out. Our final step is the adoption itself, with a contract. We require adopters to have fenced yards and to promise to treat the dog as a loved and valued family member. CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES: Collies and shelties want to be with "their people" and are meant to be inside dogs. They would be miserable left outside. We are seeking adopters who want their dog to be an indoor family member. Our rescue collies and shelties are NOT guard dogs. They are meant to be members of a family. We do require a fenced yard in most cases. (It may be possible for an adult or senior sheltie to do fine in a townhouse/apartment environment, where all outside activities take place on a leash.) For any of our dogs, we do not approve invisible fences, dog runs or tie out chains. If you live out of the area (as many of our adopters do), please know that we gladly do long-distance adoptions but we do not ship dogs. We require interested adopters to come and meet the dog. We communicate very thoroughly with persons whom we believe will adopt from us, and by the time a prospective adopter comes to meet a dog, most concerns have been addressed. The dog may never be allowed off a leash unless it is in a secure area. Collies and shelties must be on heartworm preventative, and must be placed on Interceptor. (Heartguard has proven toxic and even fatal to these breeds.) The dog must wear ID tags at all times. If you cannot keep the dog, it must be returned to RMCSR. We do not adopt out dogs that will be given as gifts. Adults in the household of the prospective adopter are the people who need to apply. Occasionally, we get applications from children and teens on behalf of their families. We realize that having a dog is a decision for the entire family, but we need to hear from parents. If you have other pets, they need to be spayed/neutered if you adopt from us. Your other pets must also be up to date on vet care. If you are unsure as to whether you can commit to a dog for the rest of its life, then please rethink your decision to adopt a dog. Adoption is for the rest of the dog's life and rescue dogs have already had enough turmoil in their lives. Both collies and shelties can be barkers. If this will be an issue for you or your neighbors, please give this consideration. These breeds do shed. These are double-coated, long-haired breeds. Their coats need a fair amount of care. A good brushing at least once a week and a bath periodically is needed. Shelties can be shy with strangers. Collies and shelties can be herding dogs, so this is something to keep in mind if you have young children or cats. If you are considering a puppy, the adoptive home we seek is one where there are no children under 6 years old; the family members are active and up to the rigors and challenges of having a young dog; and someone can devote the time it takes to training and raising a pup. Our adoption fee is a minimum of $350. Please go to our website, http://www.CollieSheltieRescue.org, for the adoption contract and application form.