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Cedar Rapids in Linn County, Iowa and surrounding areas
Dogs Forever of Iowa's adoption process
1.
Meet the Pet
We recommend that potential adopters come to our Safe Place shelter on any Saturday, between 10am and 2pm, to meet our available dogs.
2.
Submit Application
Potential adopters/fosters over 21 may submit an application online, via snailmail, or in person.
3.
Approve Application
If your application (with references) is approved, you will be notified. We are all volunteers so please be patient with us.
4.
Home Check
If you already have other animals, an additional off-site meet & greet may be required to ensure compatibility.
5.
Sign Adoption Contract
The adoption fee (based upon the dog's age) must be paid when the adoption contract is signed.
6.
Take the Pet Home
You will be asked to provide our Adoption Committee with updates regarding how your new family member is adapting.
Additional adoption info
Both Adopters and Fosters are required to complete an application that includes two personal references and a vet reference (if applicable). When reference checks are complete, a home visit will be scheduled for applicants deemed a feasible potential match.
Our adoption fees are age-based; $150 for senior dogs (7 years and older); $175 for dogs 1-6 years; $200 for dogs under 1 year of age.
If you are 65 years or older, the adoption fee is waived when you adopt a senior dog. All Dogs Forever dogs are vaccinated against rabies and distemper/parvo, tested for heartworm and Lyme disease, and are microchipped. They are on heartworm preventative.
All Dogs Forever dogs are spayed or neutered prior to adoption.
Both Adopters and Fosters are required to complete an application that includes two personal references and a vet reference (if applicable). When reference checks are complete, a home visit will be scheduled for applicants deemed a feasible potential match.
Our adoption fees are age-based; $150 for senior dogs (7 years and older); $175 for dogs 1-6 years; $200 for dogs under 1 year of age.
If you are 65 years or older, the adoption fee is waived when you adopt a senior dog. All Dogs Forever dogs are vaccinated against rabies and distemper/parvo, tested for heartworm and Lyme disease, and are microchipped. They are on heartworm preventative.
All Dogs Forever dogs are spayed or neutered prior to adoption.
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Support adoption and rescue. Why go to a dog breeder, cat breeder or pet store to buy a dog or buy a cat when you can adopt?
Why should you adopt?
Dog adoption and cat adoption saves lives. Adopt a dog or adopt a cat and you'll have a friend for life.
What is the difference between adopting a dog, adopting a cat, adopting a kitten or adopting a puppy versus getting dogs for sale, cats for sale, puppies for sale or kittens for sale from a dog breeder or a cat breeder?
When someone is breeding puppies or breeding kittens, they are creating new dogs and cats who need homes. Some people are interested in a very specific breed of dog, cat, puppy or kitten and they think the only way to find that specific breed is to buy a dog for sale or buy a cat for sale from a puppy breeder or a kitten breeder. Yet animal shelters are filled with dogs and cats who must find homes.
So rather than buying a dog or puppy for sale from a dog breeder or buying a cat or kitten for sale from a cat breeder, we encourage people to adopt a dog, adopt a cat, adopt a puppy or adopt a kitten at their local animal shelter, SPCA, humane society or pet rescue group.
