Adoption FAQ

We make all efforts to contact every potential adopter that submits an adoption application in the order in which the applications arrive. As a result, it may take several days for us to contact you, and for highly adoptable animals like puppies or “high value” breeds, those wait times may be longer due to the overwhelming application volume. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we review an incredible number of applications.

Please understand that submitting an application does not mean that you have been approved to adopt an animal. If we are not able to reach you with the contact information you have provided, we may move on to the next interested adopter. 

If you believe your application has been overlooked, and it has been over 72 hours since you submitted it, we encourage you to send us an email or message.

Adoption fees vary and are listed on each animal’s individual profile.

• Distemper/Parvo vaccine (x3 if puppy)
• Rabies vaccine
• Spay or neuter
• Microchip with lifetime registration

We require all foster and resident dogs over 6 months old to meet before adopting. Fosters under 6 months are not required to meet residents dogs but can if requested by either party. 

Once you have completed the adoption agreement, you have 48 hours to pick up your new pet. 

Safe Paws does not adopt out animals as Emotional Support Animals (ESA). 

We don’t allow animals to be adopted as Emotional Support Animals to bypass any animal restrictions.

Safe Paws does not adopt out dogs as a service animal.

We always recommend giving your new animal, and yourself, time to adjust. Remember, they are in an entirely new environment with new people, sights, smells, climate, and potentially other animals and are scared. The general consensus is that it can take 3-4 weeks for a new pet to understand they are in their forever home and start showing their true selves.

However, if your new animal simply isn’t working out, we’ll take the rescue back. No refunds will be given for returning a dog or cat that has been adopted from us.

Yes. We adopt fully vetted animals out of state but transport is solely the responsibility of the adopter. We do not ship animals.

We don’t adopt dogs to be outdoor livestock guardians or farm dogs that primarily live outdoors.