Are there minimum requirements for adoption?
- You must complete our online application.
- You must pay the non-refundable $25 application processing fee.
- You must be at least 21 years of age to enter into a contract to adopt a dog.
- You must consent to a background check. We look for a history of violent offenses/domestic violence.
- You must provide two personal references, who are not family members who have known you for at least three years.
- You must provide a veterinary reference who can attest to your care of previous pets.
- You must live in a home with a fenced yard (6-foot fence) to adopt a German Shepherd.
- We prefer homes with fenced yards for Welsh Corgis as well, but this can be taken on a case by case as Corgis are more adaptable to apartment living than German Shepherds.
- If you live in a rental situation, you must show proof you are allowed to have a dog in your rental agreement.
- We do not adopt German Shepherds to people living in apartments/rental situations.
- We have a Living Will in our adoption contracts so that in the case of a person not being able to care for the dog, becoming ill, Death, or some other situation, the dog will be cared for or returned to the rescue.
Why do I need a home with a fenced yard and why 6 feet tall for German Shepherds and 4 feet for Welsh Corgis?
- German Shepherds and Welsh Corgis were both bred to be herding dogs. They need room to run around.
- German Shepherd can jump fences lower than 6 feet, plus in the winter snow often accumulates along fences making them even easier for dogs to get over.
- Corgis can be more agile than people think.
- We do not allow tie outs, tethers, chains. These can be dangerous to dogs and dogs often escape from these.
- We do not allow “invisible fences”. There are many issues with these types of fences. A determined dog will go right through the fence. Batteries die without owners realizing it. These types of fences do not prevent other animals entering the yard.
If I do all those things, will I get the dog I want from your listings?
- Not necessarily. We match dogs to people/families. We often have multiple applications for each adoptable dog. We do our best to match dog temperament and activity level to the adopter and their family.
- Some dogs have special needs (another dog in the home, a home where someone is home most of the time, a home with no other animals, etc) and these factors are taken into consideration when matching dogs and families.
- We have the right to refuse you, if we discover you have been untruthful in your application.
What happens after my application has been approved?
- You will be contacted about potential matches.
- You can check our website and PetFinder for available adoptable dogs.
- You will be able to schedule meet and greets with potential matches. All of our dogs are in foster homes, so this is at the convenience of the foster home.
What happens after we have done all the steps and we have found the dog for me/my family?
- We do a home visit to check your yard, fence and see where the dog will live.
- After FaerieLand Rescue staff and you, the adopter, agree it is a good match, you enter into an adoption contract.
- The adoption fee and MN State Sales Tax are collected at the time the contract is completed, or the contract is considered void.
- All FaerieLand Rescue Inc dogs will be spayed or neutered, or will have a pending spay or neuter in their contract if they are too young at the time of adoption.
- If the dog is under 6 months of age they will not be spayed or neutered. We collect a $100.00 deposit at the time of the adoption. In the adoption contract we provide the dates between which the alteration surgery is to be performed, at the expense of the adopter. Once the surgery is performed and a copy of the paid vet receipt is provided to the rescue, the $100.00 deposit is refunded.
Why do you want me to take my dog to obedience school?
- There are several reasons for this. Basic obedience skills make for a safer dog. Basic recall, leash skills, etc are important skills for all dogs and their humans.
- This can also be a good form of controlled socialization for many dogs.
Do you ever consider exceptions to your rules?
- Maybe you’ve never had a dog before but you feel you are ready and able now.
- Maybe you live in a rental but you have the owner’s permission to have a dog.
- Maybe you don’t have a fenced yard but you are committed to giving your dog the appropriate exercise.
- Short answer: yes, sometimes we will consider an exception. Let us know why you think you qualify. This is case by case at the rescue’s discretion after interviewing you and assessing your situation and the dog’s needs.