Adoption Info
All applicants must be 21 years or older.
On average it takes 2-3 weeks to process an application. We appreciate your patience and invite you to contact foster home(s) of dog(s) you’re interested in while our volunteers work on your application.
A $20 non-refundable fee through Paypal is required at the end of this application.
Only approved adopters can meet the foster dogs. All family members (human and canine) need to travel to the foster home to meet the dog. Our adoption fee is $400 for puppies up to 6 months old, $350 for dogs 6 months to 8 years and $300 for dogs 8 years and older. The cost for puppies (up to 6 months old) covers two rounds of shots and first rabies shots (restrictions may apply).
Adoption Process
Online Application
When filling out your application, please provide enough information so that we can assess what characteristics in our dogs may be a good match for you (e.g., temperament, activity level, and types of activities you enjoy). Even though you are interested in a specific dog, there may be others that more closely meet your needs. Remember that we take in dogs frequently and some newer dogs are not yet on our website. The best thing to do is to begin the application process by completing our application (even if you don’t yet see a dog of interest on our site). Please note that the average time to become approved is 2-3 weeks. There is an $20 non-refundable application fee at the time you submit the form.
Phone Interview & Reference Checks
Be sure your application includes phone numbers and email addresses so we can reach you easily. After submitting your application, someone will contact you to discuss your application. We will also check your references and your vet records as listed on your application.
Home Visit
After we have talked with you and decided that we can help you to find a dog, we will arrange for a home visit. The purpose of this visit is two-fold: to ensure a healthy, safe environment for our dogs, and to ensure that we match you with a dog that fits your lifestyle.
Approval to Adopt
Adopters are approved for two years for an energy level, not a specific dog.
Companion – A companion Border Collie still needs to run, play, go on walks and is more active than the average pet dog.
Low Active – A dog who needs regular activities such as hiking, running etc.
Active – Needs more structure and activity. This is a dog that needs larger amounts of mental and physical activity to be happy and avoid potential behavior problems.
Meet the Dogs
Here the fun begins: meeting the dogs. Please remember that you may not have been the only family that put in an application for a particular dog. Our dogs will be placed with the best match for that individual dog (not necessarily the first family to apply). All members (human and canine) of your family will meet the dog at the foster home. Please be prepared to travel to meet the dog. The goal is to see how the dog gets along with your family and any other pets. This step may take days or even weeks for you to find the right dog for your home. We will always recommend dogs that we believe will match you and your lifestyle and all the members of your family (human or animal).
Adoption
The last step in the process is for you to adopt one of the dogs. Our adoption fee is $400 for puppies up to 6 months old, $350 for dogs 6 months to 8 years and $300 for dogs 8 years and older. The cost for puppies (up to 6 months old) covers two rounds of shots and first rabies shot (restrictions may apply)! Please ask your chosen foster for more information/particulars on our Puppy Policy. We believe that adoption is a lifetime commitment so we have a three-week adjustment period where we stay in touch to see how the dog is fitting in with your home. Please remember that a new home is a big adjustment for your dog, so being patient while providing consistency and basic training will help your dog feel secure.
A Happy Life Together
Please don’t forget us once you and your dog are happily adjusted to life together. Some of our past adopters decide they want to volunteer (even become a foster home), or want to support the rescue via tax-deductible donations. We love to hear stories about our dogs, especially the foster families who loved and cared for your dog while on its journey to meet you. Photos of happy border collies enjoying their lives are particularly welcome. And we’re here for you too…for help with training challenges, advice on ongoing care, how to get involved in dog sports and other activities that border collies enjoy.