Rogers’ Rescues recognizes adopting a dog from a rescue can be a very long, involved, and sometimes very frustrating process for the applicant. We know because many of us have been through it ourselves.  In fact, a large number of our volunteers have become involved with Rogers’ Rescues because of their frustration with the adoption process with other rescue organizations. Since so many of us have been through the process in one way or another, we thought we could offer some advice!

Be Patient 
One of the first pieces of advice we can offer is to be patient with the process, no matter where you adopt, since many rescues are comprised of all volunteers. Rogers’ is an all-volunteer network. Many of us work full-time jobs, care for our families, and in addition to the “norm,” dedicate countless hours of our free time to rescue.  We recognize our applicants are very excited about the prospect of bringing a new dog into their home, so we try to do everything in our power to expedite the process.  But please realize the adoption process will not happen overnight!

Do Your Homework
We cannot stress this point enough.  Research the organization you’re dealing with.  Research the dog breeds that interest you. Research possible trainers. Ask for recommendations from people who have adopted a dog from a rescue since they can usually offer recommendations to a reputable organization.  Your local veterinarian may also be able to offer suggestions for rescues that he or she has worked with. The Internet is also an invaluable tool, especially when researching a specific breed. The more you know about the organization, the process and the breed, the easier the adoption process will become.
Be Flexible: The reality of the situation is that certain breeds are very popular, so they will garner a lot of interest and generate several applications. If the dog you are interested in is adopted before you finish the application process, please recognize there will be others.  It is easy to feel like each dog you read about is the right dog for you and that if it doesn't work out, you will never find another dog.  But there are literally millions of adoptable animals, so there will always be more dogs available.  We have adopted out over 850 dogs and have no plans of stopping!

Additionally, once successfully through our adoption application process, you will be added to our pre-approved mailing list.  Twice a week, email notifications are sent to our pre-approved adopters introducing new dogs that have arrived and are being evaluated by our rescue.  If you voice interest in one of our dogs, we will put you in touch with the foster home to learn more about the dog and to see if there is a match.  

Be Honest
Don’t worry about answering every interview question with the answers you think the interviewer wants to hear.  Concentrate on what is best for you and your household and on your expectations and potential limitations.  You may think that the puppy on PetFinder is really really cute, but does your lifestyle support frequent potty breaks/accidents, sleepless nights, and constant chewing?  Sometimes people become so caught up in the cuteness of a dog that they tend to mentally gloss over the work involved.  The more information we have and the more realistic and honest you are with your experience level, expectations, and household needs, the better equipped we are to help you!