Do you have a plan in place for the care of your dog should you no longer be able to or in the case of your demise?

Does your breeder have a return clause in your adoption contract? Is your breeder agreeable to having your dog rehomed by Havanese Rescue Inc?

If so, you can leave a bequest in your will or trust for the care of your dog. Let your Executor or Trustee and your family know of your wishes. 

https://www.havaneserescue.com/faqs/donating/776-bequests  

https://www.havaneserescue.com/rescue-dogs/help-for-a-havanese-in-need/surrender-form 

If you become ill and can no longer care for your havanese, you can have the information available for your caregiver to reach HRI and get the process started. Keep your dog's adoption contract and vet records available for reference when filling out the assistance form and to send with the dog.

Thank you for providing for your beloved dog's care!

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer with Havanese Rescue, Inc. 

It takes "a village" to provide a safe haven and secure future for the many Havanese dogs that need us, and we cannot do this without you! So, if you're wondering how I can help, feel free to look over the list below, find your area of expertise, and register on our website. 

What skills are needed to volunteer? 

Some volunteer jobs require no previous skills, some require a little experience, and some require a bit of computer savvy. If there is something that you are proficient in and you think HRI can benefit from your skills, please look into that position or send us an email telling us how you feel you could help! 

You will also find a "Skills Questionnaire" in the HRI Volunteer application process. Although this is not necessary, it is helpful—not only to HRI but also to help you realize what you can do for HRI. 

What is the time commitment to volunteer? 

Depending on the job, there are many different time commitments. Some jobs require a one-time commitment, while others require ongoing commitment. 

We look forward to hearing from you! 

How do I register to become a volunteer? 

Visit our Community tab for step-by-step instructions on how to apply to be an HRI Volunteer. You can click the link here to go to that page.

What volunteer opportunities are available? 

Are you interested in—ADMINISTRATION? 

These roles involve: 

°Creating and maintaining our Database 

°Keeping up to date on our permits, licensing, and insurance 

°Maintaining various records—from dogs to expenses 

°Paying HRI bills 

°Writing policies, procedures, and educational information for HRI volunteers 

Create forms and contracts for Intake and Adoption 

°Serving on Boards and Committees 

Are you interested in—FUNDRAISING? 

These roles involve: 

°Grant research and writing 

°Coordinating the HRI Quilt Fundraiser 

°Quilting squares or selling tickets for the Quilt Fundraiser 

°Coordinating online fundraisers and auctions 

°Procuring donations for auctions and fundraisers 

°Helping staff and/or organize events for the Havanese National Speciality °Promote HRI through advertising on social media and other venues 

Are you interested in—WEBSITE AND GEEK SQUAD? 

These roles involve: 

°Creation and general administration of the HRI site 

°Maintaining and creating online forms 

°Posting educational materials 

°Creation of HRI dog listings on the HRI website and Petfinder 

°Maintaining a social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, X, etc. 

°Moderation of IO Groups 

°Problem solving tech issues 

Are you interested in—EDUCATION? 

These roles involve: 

°Writing informative articles 

°Production and distribution of the HRI newsletter 

°Proofreading and editing HRI documents, newsletters, articles, etc. 

°Communicating HRI news to local HCA clubs 

°Availability and experience to counsel regarding dog behavior issues 

°Setting up and tending a booth for HRI at local pet expos and shows °Creating slideshows or videos for YouTube and other educational venues 

Are you interested in—DOG CARE? 

These roles involve: 

°Fostering HRI dogs 

°Helping to transport HRI dogs 

°Advising on dog behavior issues 

°Storing and shipping items for foster dogs, ie-leashes, collars, belly-bands, etc. 

°Assessing and IDing dogs in homes or shelters 

Are you interested in becoming a—FOSTER FAMILY? 

This role involves: 

Provide compassionate and loving care for as long as necessary until the dog has been successfully placed in a new permanent home. 

°Keeping comprehensive dog records and observations about the dog's progress 

°Communicating frequently with the Dog Management Team and State Contact 

Working with the State Contact to assess adoption applications 

°A mid to high level of computer time for filling out forms and updates and regular communication 

Are you interested in becoming a—STATE CONTACT? 

This role involves: 

°Tracking all dogs in your state from intake to adoption 

°Coordinating the placement and transport of the foster dog 

°Working with and mentoring foster families in your state 

°Helping to coordinate Vet care of the foster dog 

°Responding and processing adoption applications 

°Performing reference checks and home visits 

°Keeping detailed records 

°A reasonably high level of computer time and organization 

Are you interested in joining the—INTAKE COMMITTEE? 

This role involves: 

°Monitoring the Intake Submission Email 7 days a week 

°Communicating with the Surrendering Party, Intake Committee, Dog 

Management Team, State Contacts, and sometimes the Board 

°Keeping detailed records and strong follow-up 

°Good email and computer skills 

Are you interested in joining the—DOG MANAGEMENT TEAM (DMT)? 

This role involves: 

°Keeping track of all new dogs coming in and all currently in Foster care 

°Continuous monitoring and updating of adoption status 

Provide photos and write-ups for dog listings to Geek Squad 

°Mentoring and communication with Foster families 

°Determining appropriate adoption fee for each dog 

Are you interested in being a—DOG WRITER? 

This role involves: 

°Writing dog listings for every dog in Foster care, using the information provided by the Foster family 

Are you interested in becoming a—VET LIAISON? 

This role involves: 

°Researching prices on vet care, medications, grooming 

°Ensuring Vet practices are paid promptly 

°Communicating with the DMT, Vet practices, and foster homes °Processing reimbursements 

Are you interested in—ADDITIONAL WAYS TO HELP? 

Here are some ideas: 

Provide financial support and donations 

°Donating miles for air transport 

°Writing thank you cards to donors 

°Sending get-well cards to ill volunteers 

The steps below describe our traditional adoption process. We also have a Foster-To-Adopt program that might be of interest to you. For more information on how that process works click this link here.

HRI's Traditional Adoption Process:

1- The first step in adopting a Havanese Rescue Inc. (HRI) dog is to read the dogs’ listings carefully to find out if you would be a good match for the dog’s needs and wish list.

2- The next step in the adoption process is for the potential adopter to fill out an adoption application found on our website. This application is NOT a commitment to adopt. The purpose of this application is to match you with the dog that will best suit your family and lifestyle. Please answer each question as completely as possible. In the next day or so, look for an email in your Inbox or spam folder from one of our volunteers from the @HavaneseRescue.com domain, read and save it for future reference. This email acknowledges receipt of your application and also gives you a lot of important information including your State Contact's email address plus that of the dog’s State Contact when you live in a different state from the dog’s foster home. You may wish to contact the State Contact with any questions you may have about one of our dogs.

3- Applications are reviewed by the State Contact where the dog is being fostered. Those applications that appear to match a dog's needs and wish list are forwarded to the foster parent who knows the dog best. (HRI is looking for the right home for each dog). The foster parent then has the very difficult job of narrowing down the list of applications and checks references for the most suitable applicants
HRI's Traditional Adoption Process:

4- Four personal references and vet reference are checked. If everything checks out, a Home Visit is made.

5- Home visit is completed.

6- If both the applicant and Adoption committee agree that this would be a great match, then the dog goes to his/her forever home.

Adoption Fees
Fee amounts for our dogs range from $100 - $600. The fees take into account the dog’s age as well as any medical and/or behavioral issues the dog may have. Dogs who are older or have more medical/behavioral issues are less expensive than the “perfect puppies” we occasionally have in rescue.

Do I need to own my own home to adopt?
No

Do I need to live in the state that the dog is located in?
Havanese Rescue Inc. (HRI) has a long history of out-of-state adoptions. The consideration is whether or not you can travel to pick up and bring home your new family member. Most of our dogs seem to be very happy to ride in a car, and for adopters who live farther away, most of our dogs fit nicely under an airplane seat.

Do you ship dogs? Who pays?
HRI tries very hard not to ship dogs. Shipping dogs, especially rescue dogs, can be very traumatic and also costly. If you are interested in adopting a dog that's located in another state, you generally must be willing to travel to that area to pick up the dog.

If you're not able/willing to do that, you will need to wait until a suitable dog is available in your area. With very few exceptions, HRI does not ship its dogs to their Forever Homes. Occasionally, if a foster parent is willing and able, a meeting can take place somewhere in between the locations, but that is entirely up to the foster parent.

Do I need a fenced-in yard to adopt a dog?
No. If potential adopter can present a plan for the dog to get its excercise and relieve itself, potential adopter does not need a yard, unless it's made mandatory by the foster family.

Can I return a dog if it doesn’t work out? What if things don't work out after I adopt?
HRI always stands behind it's dogs and will always take back an adoption that does not work out.

Can I do a trial adoption?
HRI has a program called Foster To Adopt where the foster family has first dibs on being the permanent placement for a dog. The foster family must go through the application process before the dog can be placed with them.

Do you have a shelter?
HRI doesn't have a permanent shelter building and relies on its foster homes to provide safe haven for its dogs.

What is required for the home visit?
In most cases the potential adopter must be present for an in-person home visit. This home visit gives the adopter and HRI volunteer an opportunity for further introduction and a time to answer any further questions from both sides.

Do these dogs have a lot of health problems?
HRI fully vets our dogs when they arrive. HRI dogs are up to date on vaccnnes and are spayed and neutered prior to adoption unless they are not old enough. If a dog does come in that ends up needing ongoing care, this information is fully disclosed to potential adopters. For the most part, dogs that come into HRI are healthy.

What if I have questions after I adopt a rescue or I find that challenges comes up and I’m not sure what to do?
HRI is always an avenue for support to new adoptive families. HRI does its best to make all its placements permanent the first time around.

Why is there an adoption fee?
The adoption fee is put in place to help defray the cost of routine medical evaluations, vaccinations, permanent identification (microchip), spay/neutering and other medical treatments for our Havanese in rescue. Some of our dogs have extensive medical bills, but because the quality of their life should be good if provided treatment, the decision is usually made to provide the care necessary for them. The adoption fee varies depending on the age and health status of a dog. The adoption fees for puppies and young dogs help defray some of the medical expenses incurred by older dogs.

Where do you get your rescue dogs?
Our dogs come from a variety of sources. Most dogs come to us directly as owner surrenders, some come from shelters or animal control as strays, while others are left there by owners. Other times, dogs come from a puppy mill that has closed or is no longer interested in the breed or the dog in question.

I completed an application. Why hasn't anyone called me?
Applications for a specific dog. In the next day or so after you submit an application you should receive an email from one of our volunteers from the @havaneserescue.com domain. Look for an email in your inbox or spam folder, read it and save it for future reference. This email acknowledges receipt of your application and also gives you a lot of important information including your State Contact's email address plus that of the dog’s State Contact when you live in a different state from the dog’s foster home. You may wish to send an email to the State Contact with any questions you may have about one of our dogs that is not covered in his listing.
 
Generic adoption application. If you sent an application but did not name a specific dog, your application is kept on file until a dog comes into rescue that is a potential match for your family. You will generally not be contacted prior to that. Our volunteers cannot prescreen everyone who applies to adopt. If you feel your application may not have been successfully submitted, please use this form to inquire:  Contact Us