Considering Adoption?
Thank you for interest in adopting a pet. Your desire to provide a loving forever home to a rescue pet helps us in our goal to Save a Life Today of companion animals in need. Our Adoption Basics will provide you with information that helps reinforce your decision to adopt, offer answers to frequently asked questions and outline the adoption process, fees and timeline to help set your expectations around welcoming a new pet into your family.
Adopting a Rescue Pet.
When you are thinking about adopting a new furry family member, we strongly encourage you to consider a rescue pet. Every year, millions of dogs and cats pass through shelters in the United States. Sadly, many of these pets don't make it out simply because there was no place for them to go. That's why The Rescue Crew focuses our lifesaving efforts on pets at our local shelters and impounds in the Twin Cities metro area and more broadly throughout the state of Minnesota.
When adopting, you have the option of picking one from an animal shelter or rescue organization. Both are good options. However, with a foster-based rescue organization like The Rescue Crew, the animals are in foster homes and we do everything we can to learn as much about their likes and dislikes, temperament and activity level as we can. By doing so, it enables us to work more closely with potential adopters to help better ensure a "good fit." The adoption process might take a bit longer than adopting from a shelter, but our goal is finding a match that benefits both the animal and the family interested in adopting. It's worth the wait.
When adopting, you have the option of picking one from an animal shelter or rescue organization. Both are good options. However, with a foster-based rescue organization like The Rescue Crew, the animals are in foster homes and we do everything we can to learn as much about their likes and dislikes, temperament and activity level as we can. By doing so, it enables us to work more closely with potential adopters to help better ensure a "good fit." The adoption process might take a bit longer than adopting from a shelter, but our goal is finding a match that benefits both the animal and the family interested in adopting. It's worth the wait.
Adoption FAQs.
If you have questions about the adoption process, or are unsure if you're quite ready to make the commitment, read through these FAQs first as well as our Adoption Process page.
Where do the animals come from?
The animals who are in need of foster care come to us from various different situations:
The Rescue Crew takes in animals from local shelters and humane societies. These shelters are located primarily within the Twin Cities metropolitan area, but we partner with shelters across the entire state and a select group of out of state shelters.
There are a number of reservations in Minnesota and neighboring states where opportunities for housing and needed veterinary care of companion animals is poor or non-existent. As is the case in the United States as a whole, the problem of pet overpopulation on these tribal lands can be even more extreme.
Many animals are surrendered each year by their owners. Sometimes, there are circumstances beyond one’s control. An owner may become ill and is no longer able to care for their pet. Or the owner passes away, and there is no family member willing and/or able to care for their pet. Then, there are some pets that are victims, through no fault of their own, when their owners are unable or unwilling to meet the demands of pet ownership. The puppy is too active or got too big, the cat is clawing on furniture, the dog/cat is too old, etc.
The Rescue Crew also strives to make a lifetime commitment to every animal we rescue. This means that if, for any reason, an adopter can no longer keep their adopted pet, we request they contact us so we can make every effort to secure foster placement so the pet can come back to us or another rescue organization. If one of our adopted pets ends up at a shelter, we will pick the animal up and take them back into rescue. All of our adopted pets are microchipped, and our name stays on the chip as a Guardian for the life of the animal, so we will always be notified if one of our adopted pets sadly finds its way into a shelter or impound.
The Rescue Crew also strives to make a lifetime commitment to every animal we rescue. This means that if, for any reason, an adopter can no longer keep their adopted pet, we request they contact us so we can make every effort to secure foster placement so the pet can come back to us or another rescue organization. If one of our adopted pets ends up at a shelter, we will pick the animal up and take them back into rescue. All of our adopted pets are microchipped, and our name stays on the chip as a Guardian for the life of the animal, so we will always be notified if one of our adopted pets sadly finds its way into a shelter or impound.
On occasion, we may be asked to assist with placement of an animal in the care of another rescue organization. When these organizations feel they do not have appropriate and proper placement for the pet, or they have no available foster homes, they may reach out to one of the other many rescue organizations, like The Rescue Crew, requesting assistance in placing the pet. Alternatively, there may be instances where we do the same and seek help from other rescue partners.
Do you adopt out of state?
We are a smaller, all-volunteer run organization. We do our best to accommodate adoption requests within a two to four-hour radius of the Twin Cities metro area. There are certainly exceptions to this, depending on your availability and willingness to travel as well as the foster home’s ability. We typically are not able to assist with out of state adoptions beyond the bordering states of Iowa, South Dakota or Wisconsin unless there is an extenuating circumstance. We have completed out-of-state adoptions on occasion, so if you have specific questions about a pet please email us at [email protected] and we will see if we can help.
I want to adopt a puppy, but can I wait and alter them myself when they're older?
The Rescue Crew believes that spaying and neutering of pets is the most important part of the effort to reduce the number of unwanted animals and unnecessary euthanasia in this country, and that juvenile, or “early” spays/neuters offers more benefits than risks. The Rescue Crew views spay/neuter as one of the keys to achieving our vision and maintain a 100% spay/neuter philosophy. This means no pet - unless for medical reasons - leaves our rescue prior to being spayed or neutered.
Overpopulation of dogs and cats is a major problem in the United States. It’s estimated that somewhere between 6-8 million animals enter shelters every year in the US. Less than half of those will be adopted and more than 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized each year. While euthanasia has decreased over the last number of years, there remains a strong case for spaying and neutering dogs and cats.
Altering helps to reduce the number of unwanted pets brought into the world that may never find a loving family to provide the much-needed care they deserve. Additionally, “fixing” your pet may also prevent medical and behavioral problems from developing in a cat or dog, allowing a pet to lead a longer, healthier, and happier life.
While research shows somewhere in the vicinity of 80% of pet owners believe in spay/neuter, over 50% of litters are accidental. US Shelter veterinarians seem united in the advocacy of this as does the American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA). It’s a worthy approach.
While a typical practicing vet may not support spaying or neutering prior to 5-7 months or older, early spays and neuters have been proven to be safe. There is no clear consensus—or research—which helps determine the “ideal” timing of spays and neuters.
Overpopulation of dogs and cats is a major problem in the United States. It’s estimated that somewhere between 6-8 million animals enter shelters every year in the US. Less than half of those will be adopted and more than 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized each year. While euthanasia has decreased over the last number of years, there remains a strong case for spaying and neutering dogs and cats.
Altering helps to reduce the number of unwanted pets brought into the world that may never find a loving family to provide the much-needed care they deserve. Additionally, “fixing” your pet may also prevent medical and behavioral problems from developing in a cat or dog, allowing a pet to lead a longer, healthier, and happier life.
While research shows somewhere in the vicinity of 80% of pet owners believe in spay/neuter, over 50% of litters are accidental. US Shelter veterinarians seem united in the advocacy of this as does the American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA). It’s a worthy approach.
While a typical practicing vet may not support spaying or neutering prior to 5-7 months or older, early spays and neuters have been proven to be safe. There is no clear consensus—or research—which helps determine the “ideal” timing of spays and neuters.
Can I meet the pet I'm interested in first?
Absolutely! In fact, we expect you to. However, before meeting one of our adoptable pets we kindly request that you first complete an Adoption Request Form. This is a standard process in the rescue community and one which our foster homes expect so we can conduct necessary background/reference checks prior to putting a potential adopter in touch with a pets' foster caregiver.
How do I know if a pet is still available for adoption?
If the pet is listed on our website, we are still accepting adoption applications from interested parties unless otherwise stated. if we are not, or have a large number of applications already, you will see a notation by the animals name such as “~Has Multiple Applications~” or “~No Longer Accepting Applications~”
What does "has multiple applications" mean by the pet's name?
It's not uncommon for us to receive Adoption Requests from multiple interested adopters before we are able determine best fit for both adopter and pet. We do our best to go in order of request received, but the ultimate decision rests with the pets' foster home as they know what's best for the dog or cat. When multiple Adoption Requests are being processed or reviewed, we make this notation by the pets name on our website to attempt to set expectations as best we can.
How long does the process take?
Please review the Adoption Process page on our website, which outlines step-by-step the process we undertake in helping pets find their adoptive homes. There are a number of variables relating to timing; first, we are all volunteers and family and personal obligations can sometimes get in the way of our passionate work for the animals. Secondly, if your Adoption Request came through over a weekend or holiday it could slow our processing time. Additionally, part of our standard process is to verify any resident pets are altered and up-to-date (we contact your veterinarian to do this) and if you rent we also will likely verify the pet policy with your landlord.
We do our very best to expedite the process as we understand the excitement generated from the potential of adopting a new pet. You can expect it to take anywhere from 1-5 days for us to process your Adoption Request, another 2 days for the foster home to review requests and begin to reach out to families to answer questions and schedule a mutually convenient time to meet and interact with the pet to help determine if the adoption will move forward. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding with us doing the adoption process.
We do our very best to expedite the process as we understand the excitement generated from the potential of adopting a new pet. You can expect it to take anywhere from 1-5 days for us to process your Adoption Request, another 2 days for the foster home to review requests and begin to reach out to families to answer questions and schedule a mutually convenient time to meet and interact with the pet to help determine if the adoption will move forward. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding with us doing the adoption process.
If I decide to return the pet, can I get a refund of the adoption fee?
ADOPTION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-NEGOTIABLE. As outlined in our transfer agreement, we do not refund adoption fees if an animal is returned to us. We do not allow trial adoptions, please think carefully before committing to adopt.
Can I reserve an animal?
WE CANNOT HOLD ANIMALS. Animals will be considered "Adoption Pending" and will remain available for adoption by others until both transfer agreement and donation are received. Please complete the adoption within a day or two of signaling your intent to adopt.
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Unsure if You're Ready to Adopt?
That's okay. Peruse our Resources section to better prepare yourself and make a more informed decision. There are dedicated sections for new dog owners and new cats owners. |
View and Download our Dog Resource Guide
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Consider
Foster-to-Adopt. Adoption is a big decision. Our Foster-to-Adopt program can make it a little less stressful for you by allowing you the opportunity to "test the waters" while still helping pets in need. |
Learn More about our Foster-to-Adopt Program
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Still Not Sure?
You can still help care for the over 150 pets in our care at any given time, and enable us to take in other dogs and cats in urgent need by donating now.
Please Help Fund Our Lifesaving Mission.
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[email protected] | 612-299-2001
3500 Vicksburg Lane N., #220, Plymouth, MN 55447-1334
(mailing address only)
3500 Vicksburg Lane N., #220, Plymouth, MN 55447-1334
(mailing address only)
© The Rescue Crew. All rights reserved.