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

Choose one of our FAQs sections above to narrow down the information you are looking for. If you have a question which is not listed, please contact us.

Please understand that our organization is entirely staffed by volunteers. Our main focus is to assist dogs in need, therefore, we don’t always have time to answer individual questions about “when will I get a dog” or “did you receive my application.”

You can find the answers to many questions in our FAQ section. Please check there before submitting the form below.

If you must inquire about the status of your application, or a question to anything you can't find an answer to on our website please complete the form here, including ALL requested information. Thank you for your cooperation.

DO NOT use the form above to request help for a dog in need. Please use the form here for dog assistance!

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