Looking to adopt

[ScrubbysGal]

Hi everyone! Coming to this sight makes me want a boxer more than anything! I currently have two dobermans (1 year and 10 years) and I wanted to add another dog to the mix. However as cute as those little puppies are - I feel I would much rather adopt a boxer around a year or so old. I filled out my adoption application and am waiting patiently (who am I kidding! I check my email every 3 seconds, hoping for a reply!) I fear I will be turned down because I already have two dogs. Anyone else have experience with adopting? Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

[adeinert]

Hi!
How exciting!!!!
I have adopted quite a few rescued boxers over the years- hehehehe, see my signature!

For me, it's the only way to find a boxer since there are so many boxers being dumped and PTS in our shelters. My furkids are fabulous and the first rescued boxer convinced me to fill my house with them - either my own or fosters- it's terrific being loved by a houseful of rescued boxers!!!! I have adopted them all through Florida Boxer Rescue, of which I now volunteer any and all my free time.

Ashlie

 

[Gretchen B]

First of all, welcome to Boxerworld! This is a great place to do your research on Boxers! I adopted my boxer from a shelter so the process was quick for me ( I have two other dogs also). I have heard the adoption process from rescues can take a long time sometimes, but that is just because the rescues are being very thorough and finding the best possible homes for their dogs. They have to make sure it's a good fit for everybody involved. The only advice I have is be patient, it will be so worth it! Good luck and let us know when you have a boxer baby of your very own!

 

[ScrubbysGal]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I am trying to be as patient as possible. I already have my eye on two little boys - I think either one would be very happy with my girls! My fear is since me and my boyfriend both work fulltime they will think we won't be able to make time for another pup. I am very excited about having another pup - hopefully. I fully understand that rescues would only want the dogs placed in the best of homes, I just hope they recognize us as one of them. I'm already looking for a king sized bed b/c there is no way the five of us will fit in a queen sized bed.

What kind of interview should I expect fromthe rescue? And what would be the reasons they would deny me. Someone mentioned that he was turned down for an adoption because his female dog was not fixed. Are they issues like that? Both my females are spade and the kitten is neutured - I have no problem with that. We own our own home - it's not a mansion but it's not a shack either - with a large fully fenced in yard. What other preparations should I make?

Thank you for your responses!

 

[Rena&Chopper]

Loooong post..sorry!

Hi Scrubby! I'm a new member as well, welcome!!!

First off, I'm no expert on rescues by any means, but these opinions are based on my personal experience.

I'd like to share my (recent) adoption experience with you. From start to finish, it took me about 2 weeks to get my dog. I was in constant contact with the rescue and am also guilty of watching my e-mail like a hawk!!!

When you said "interview", I assume you meant a home visit? The home visit is basically so they know what kind of environment their dogs will be going to. They wouldn't exactly want to put a dog that may have been neglected in a home they see as "unfit". They aren't being snobby or anything, , just looking out for the dogs! Our home visit took about 45 minutes. They asked questions about our existing dogs and wanted to see where they slept, ate, went outside, etc. Our experience was awesome-it was more like sitting down with a friend and talking about the best dog breed ever! (Sorry, I'm biased..)

Reasons they might deny you: if your dogs aren't up-to-date on all of their vaccinations/HW preventatives, etc. If you don't take care of your existing dogs, why would they bestow you with another? I can't really think of any other reasons to be denied..but then again, I'm no expert!! Someone being turned down because their dog is intact seems odd to me. The rescue I went through spays/neuters all their dogs before they adopt them out. We have two female dogs and adopted a male (most rescues won't do same sex adoptions for dominance reasons) with one of our females being intact. They never said a thing about it. I guess it could differ from rescue to rescue.

I would like to add a BIG thing to be prepared for, which I wasn't expecting, but had to learn to deal with quickly-aggression! Most rescue dogs come from less than perfect homes-my dog for instance, was turned over to the humane society because "he is a fence jumper". I firmly believe that he was left outside alone a lot and maybe tried to escape (if he truly WAS a fence jumper) out of frustration. Boxers are like shadows, everywhere you go, they are there...(even in the bathroom, which is a whole other post! )

I haven't been able to pin-point if he has fear/dominance/jealousy aggression, but he has had some heavy spats with our girls. The good lord willing, that's in the past! (We've gone almost 3 weeks without any squabbling..due to a wonderful dog trainer!!!) I'm not saying EVERY rescue dog will be aggressive, but I went into it thinking everything would be peaches and cream and when the cream started to curdle, I had no idea what to do!

That's my 2 cents. hahaha! But truly, if you do adopt a boxer, you will be in love for the rest of your life. Best wishes to you and keep us updated! Hope I helped a little..I tend to get excited when I post. LMAO

 

[ssleighter]

Reasons they might deny you: if your dogs aren't up-to-date on all of their vaccinations/HW preventatives, etc. If you don't take care of your existing dogs, why would they bestow you with another? I can't really think of any other reasons to be denied..but then again, I'm no expert!! Someone being turned down because their dog is intact seems odd to me. The rescue I went through spays/neuters all their dogs before they adopt them out. We have two female dogs and adopted a male (most rescues won't do same sex adoptions for dominance reasons) with one of our females being intact. They never said a thing about it. I guess it could differ from rescue to rescue.

I would like to add a BIG thing to be prepared for, which I wasn't expecting, but had to learn to deal with quickly-aggression! Most rescue dogs come from less than perfect homes-my dog for instance, was turned over to the humane society because "he is a fence jumper". I firmly believe that he was left outside alone a lot and maybe tried to escape (if he truly WAS a fence jumper) out of frustration. Boxers are like shadows, everywhere you go, they are there...(even in the bathroom, which is a whole other post! )

I haven't been able to pin-point if he has fear/dominance/jealousy aggression, but he has had some heavy spats with our girls. The good lord willing, that's in the past! (We've gone almost 3 weeks without any squabbling..due to a wonderful dog trainer!!!) I'm not saying EVERY rescue dog will be aggressive, but I went into it thinking everything would be peaches and cream and when the cream started to curdle, I had no idea what to do!

That's my 2 cents. hahaha! But truly, if you do adopt a boxer, you will be in love for the rest of your life. Best wishes to you and keep us updated! Hope I helped a little..I tend to get excited when I post. LMAO

Our rescue has the following requirements:

All pets up to date on vaccines and HW prevention.
All pets be spayed/neutered.
All pets be kept as indoor companions (with the exception of feral cats in rural areas, as long as the first two rules are met).

There are others, but these are ones we check up front, if the home doesn't pass these 3 things, the application process is stopped.

Secondly, we temperament test each dog. If a dog is dog aggressive, he/she will not be placed in a home with other dogs. Of course, there's no way for us to tell how each dog will do under specific circumstances, but we try to avoid situations like Rena&Chopper mentioned.

If you have specific questions, I'd ask the rescue you've applied with. They should be willing to answer any questions you have during the process.

Good luck and thanks for rescuing. :D

 

[myrocky]

Did the rescue know that one of your females is intact? I'm glad that you adopted, please don't get me wrong. It's just that most rescues I'm aware of do not adopt out to homes with intact dogs.

Reasons they might deny you: if your dogs aren't up-to-date on all of their vaccinations/HW preventatives, etc.

There are lots of people who do not vaccinate and the dogs are perfectly healthly. It all depends really on the overall care you give your animal. This should be brought up with the rescue and discussed.

ScrubbysGal, just be yourself. The volunteer coming to your home is looking to see where the dog will be living, sleeping, and eating. They will want to look at everything and talk to you about a routine. They will be asking questions on training and things like that. Try to answer all the questions as best you can and don't hesitate to ask them questions! We love it when questions are asked! Also don't think it odd for the volunteer to want to see everywhere the dog will have access too, that is totally normal.

 

[ssleighter]

There are lots of people who do not vaccinate and the dogs are perfectly healthly. It all depends really on the overall care you give your animal. This should be brought up with the rescue and discussed.

You're right, I didn't mention that we will accept titer testing in lieu of vaccinations for those that choose to do that. :D

 

[Rena&Chopper]

Did the rescue know that one of your females is intact? I'm glad that you adopted, please don't get me wrong. It's just that most rescues I'm aware of do not adopt out to homes with intact dogs.

Yes, the rescue was aware that we had one intact female. Our situation was this; I live with my boyfriend (the intact dog is his) and the adoption was all under my name (they checked with MY vet, etc.). My female is spayed, on HW preventative, up-to-date on shots and so forth. I'm assuming that because the rescue dog was my responsibility, they saw that I took really good care of my girl and would do no less for the new dog.

I'd still like to know why an adoption would be turned down if the home had an existing pet that was intact. Why would it matter if the adopted dog would be spayed/neutered? I know that fixing the dogs is best for health/temperment reasons, and to stop puppy mills, but in some cases, that just doesn't make sense to me. ?

 

[vasha]

I'd still like to know why an adoption would be turned down if the home had an existing pet that was intact. Why would it matter if the adopted dog would be spayed/neutered? I know that fixing the dogs is best for health/temperment reasons, and to stop puppy mills, but in some cases, that just doesn't make sense to me. ?

I think you answered your own question.

If you don't take care of your existing dogs, why would they bestow you with another?

In my opinion, if you are not actively showing your dog on the show circuit, there is absolutely no reason to put that dog through the peril of possibly getting pregnant, developing mammary tumors or any number of health issues that can occur.

The rescue I volunteer (Legacy Boxer Rescue) for would have denied your application because you have an intact boxer in the home, regardless of whom she belongs to.

I hope that your boyfriend can be convinced to spay his female as there are just too many dogs that need homes to accidently bring another litter into this world.