Please read this section prior to submitting an application. It covers important requirements, adoption procedures, the adoption fee, and our application and contract documents.
Adoptive Home Requirements
We require our adopters to be at least 21 years of age and in a stable home environment. All dogs need good vet care, and vet care is expensive. Please consider financial obligations carefully and with the good of the dog in mind. Occasionally, we get applications from children and teens on behalf of their families. Adults in the household of the prospective adopter are the people who need to apply. We realize that having a dog is a decision for the entire family, but we need to hear from parents.
A fenced yard is required for all puppies and almost all our adult dogs. A well-socialized, leash-trained adult or senior Sheltie might do well in a condo/townhouse or apartment environment, where all outside activities take place on a leash. We evaluate any potential exceptions on a case by case basis. We don’t approve invisible/electric fences, dog runs, or tie out chains. For a good explanation of why we do not approve invisible fences, see this information from our friends with Colorado Sheltie Rescue of Englewood, Colorado.
If you have other pets, they need to be spayed/neutered if you adopt from us (unless there is a medical reason). Your other pets must also be up to date on all vet care (shots and preventatives.) We will confirm all of this with your vet before proceeding with the application.
The dog must wear ID tags at all times and may never be allowed off a leash unless it is in a secure area. Read more about why we require adopters to be safe―not sorry―with newly adopted dogs in the April 2010 Newsletter by Denver All Breed Rescue, of which we are a member.
Collies and Shelties must be on heartworm preventative, and must be placed on Interceptor. Heartguard has proven toxic and even fatal to these breeds. See Health Issues for more important information about this topic.
If you cannot keep the dog, it must be returned to RMCSR.
We do not adopt out dogs that will be given as gifts.
Puppies
If you are considering a puppy, we seek an adoptive home where the family members are active and up to the rigors and challenges of having a young dog; and someone can devote the time it takes to raising and training a pup. We give preference to someone who works at home or can be home part-time. A securely fenced yard is required.
A home for a puppy should have at least some of the family home a good chunk of the day for socialization and training. Lots of gentle hands and praise! The time you spend with a puppy will show up well in the adult dog he becomes. The perfect puppy home will be one with kids over the age of 8 who understand kindness toward animals, a mom or dad who either works from home or is at least a part-time ‘stay at home’ parent, and a boatload of love to give to a remarkable furry friend.
The Foster Program
We do not have a shelter, and it is not possible to view all our dogs at a central facility. All RMCSR dogs live in our homes as fosters. Interested adopters meet our dogs in their foster homes after a series of application steps have been completed. Each dog remains in his foster home until his temperament is known and a good match can be made. Some dogs may have issues from their prior life that must be worked through. We advise on any known issues prior to adoption. We do not place aggressive dogs or known biters. Rescue dogs have plenty of love, affection and gratitude to give, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you saved a dog.
The vast majority of our dogs find wonderful adopters in Colorado, but we also have adopted to folks in many other states. We do not adopt outside of the U.S. If you live out of the area (as many of our adopters do), please know that we gladly do long-distance adoptions, but we do not ship dogs. We require interested adopters to come to where the foster dog is located. We communicate very thoroughly with potential adopters.
