Adoption information
We DO NOT use Sue Sternberg's Assess-A-Pet or any other extreme temperament tests on our dogs.
If we used these methods to test Boston Terriers, who are usually stressed to the max in a shelter environment, most of the Boston’s that we have been able to save and place would be dead dogs instead of beloved dogs in new homes. That is where rescue comes into the equation and gets them out of that environment and into a home and then see how they unwind over a few days to see their true temperament while interacting with a family and not in a pandemonium of loud noises, rough handling, strange smells, and fear.
So many of our babies would have been killed for being too timid, too food aggressive from starvation, too fear aggressive, too hyperactive, too something and they would not have reached their new homes and be the beloved dogs they are today, so we DO NOT USE NOR DO WE RECOMMEND ANY METHOD OF EXTREEM TESTING!
A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." - Josh Billings
FYI - Terminology - We RESCUE the dogs. You ADOPT them. The dogs are no longer in danger of losing their lives once they are in our care. You do by adopting allow us room to help others so you are saving lives by adopting our rescue
Our dogs are our priority! Finding them the best possible home for their unique personalities and needs is what we do. We are pleased you sought out rescue as a means to add to your family. Just keep in mind that for us it's about matching our dog to your family.
We do not adopt with a by the numbers system. We may have your dog waiting for you to find us, and it may take time for the right dog for you to come to us.
If your looking for a dog right now we are not going to be able to help you.
If you are now looking for the right dog and are willing to trust us and be patient we will help you. Provided you have an approved application.
Submitting applications to multiple groups at one time causes us to spend an inordinate amount of time checking references and processing applications that will be/have already been checked by another group. Let us know if you have applied to another group. It may speed your approval time if it is a rescue that we work closely with and they have processed your information. If you have applied with another rescue it does not mean you are exempt from compleating our application. Each rescue must have their own paperwork when placing one of our dogs. PLEASE Keep in mind that we're all volunteers and most of us work full-time jobs. We will process your application as soon as possible and we'll contact you at that time. Thank you for your understanding. If we do not have a suitable match we will WITH your permission submit your information to our sister rescue’s in hopes of finding your new family member.
Our adoption fees vary depending on the age and health of each dog. The youngest of our dogs have the highest adoption fee which is $450.00. Fees for older dogs or dogs with heath issues that require medication have lower adoption fees again depending on the issue and each individual dogs age. Our adverage fee for a healthy adult Boston between 4 and 6 years old iis $300. Our seniors adverage fees range between $100 and $200 these are dogs 8 years and older just the testing we do to make sure these are healthy seniors is a $175 value, not including their shots and any other care needed to make sure they are as healthy as possible.
We do not charge more for younger dogs because we think their lives are worth more ,we just think since adoptive familes will have more time with them that it's only fair that they help pay the way for our oldsters who are less likely to be adopted at higher fees. We call this Boston Social Securety. In the rare event that one of our dogs adopts for less than we have actually spent on their health care that money goes into an account to pay the way for those whose health care expences are sometimes hundreds or even thousands of dollarshigher than their adoption fees.
Please do not ask us to discount our fees. We survive on adoption fees and donations. In most cases we have spent more than the adoption fee we are asking.
If you can not afford the adoption fee for a fully vetted dog, please be realistic and understand that you probably can not aford the yearly health care, food and other expences that would be accrued for the dog. Go to any vet and ask for a list of charges for shots, spay/neuter surgeries, micro chipping and wellness testing. Don't forget the office visit charges. Our fees are a bargan. Unlike public shelters your adopting from us a healthy dog. One we have taken the time to get to know as part of our familes for an adverage of one month at the least before we post them as available for adoption. We fully disclose personality, health records and everything we know about the dog prior to adoption. Due to the large number of dogs that come through our rescue, we do not have time to totally obedience train or house train. Sometimes we are lucky and get a well trained one, but most of the time the dogs need someone to love them and who is willing to work with them to make them into the dogs that they are capable of being. Adopters are expected to enroll in obedience classes to train their dogs or work with them as needed. If you expect a perfectly trained dog, then a rescue is not the dog for you.
Please note that ODBTR is NOT a rehab for dogs with major behavioral issues. We do NOT knowingly place a human aggressive dog in a home, which is why the dog is in foster with us for at least several weeks before placement.
expert or non expert witnesses; or court costs; or any other expense in relation to the enforcement of any covenant or condition, the transferee(s) shall be individually and jointly liable therefore to Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue
*OLD DOMINION BOSTON TERRIER RESCUE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY APPLICATION WITHOUT EXPLANATION*
The answers you give on our application will help us find the best possible match between you and the dogs available for adoption. Remember we are searching for the perfect home for each individual dog. You may have a perfect home for one dog, but not another. Even if you fall in love with the looks or bio of a particular dog and submit an application stating that is the dog you want to adopt, we are not obligated to adopt that particular dog to you if we consider the dog is not the right match for your household. We will suggest other dogs that we consider suitable for your household based upon the answers to our questions in the application. Keep in mind this is not an over night process and we are volunteers, so please expect some waiting time (1-6 weeks) to be involved. Please answer all questions as completely as possible. If any information is omitted, the application will be discarded. We reserve the right to inspect the prospective home environment both before and after adoption without any advanced notice. In addition, if we discover that any information on this form was knowingly falsified, we reserve the right to refuse to adopt a dog to you and to take any adopted dog back into our possession.
PLEASE NOTE: If your application is approved, we will require an adoption donation to defray the ever-increasing costs of veterinary care for our rescued dogs. Also, at the time of adoption, you will be required to sign a contract.
FYI - Terminology - We RESCUE the dogs. You ADOPT them. The dogs are no longer in danger of losing their lives once they are in our care. You do by adopting allow us room to help others so you are saving lives by adopting through a rescue group.
will adopt either gender
____ Mixed Breed ____ I would like to adopt from ODBTR’s Petfinder/
____ Breed doesn't matter Web page (If so please provide the dog’s name)
____ Male ______________________________________
Have you filled out an application with any other rescue organization?
Have you adopted a dog from Rescue in the past?
If you answered yes to either or both of the above questions please provide the name of the rescue, their phone number, email address and month and year you applied or adopted.
Do you understand that we try to place a dog that is the best match for your family and that the dog that you indicate you are interested in may not be the most suitable dog for your family situation and dynamics?
Do you understand that the dog you indicate you are interested in may be adopted to someone who placed their application before we received your application and may no longer be available for adoption?
We reserve the right to suggest and place in your home a different dog than the one you indicated above, based on your answers to the questions on the application below.
Personal References who are familiar with your experience as a pet owner:
Reference 1
Name: Relationship:
Home Phone: Work Phone: Cell Phone:
Home E-mail: Work E-mail:
Reference 2
Name: Relationship:
Home Phone: Work Phone: Cell Phone:
Home E-mail: Work E-mail:
Veterinarian reference who are familiar with your pet's vet history:
Please note that if you currently own a pet or have owned one in the last 10 years, your vet's name is required to process your application. If you cannot supply a vet reference, please give the reason why.
Do you have a regular veterinarian?
The reason I cannot supply a vet reference is:
Name of veterinarian and the clinic name:
Vet’s Complete Address:
Vet’s phone number: Fax number:
How long have you been with this vet?
Please contact your Veterinarian and notify them of our pending inquiry. Not doing so will delay or suspend the adoption process.
If you currently own a pet, who is listed as its owner on your vet’s paperwork?
Are your current pets up to date on their annual vaccinations?
When are they due next?
Are your current pets on heartworm prevention medication? Brand:
Currently owned dog’s name, age, gender, and breed:
Is your current dog spayed/neutered? If not, please explain why:
Please list all dog’s names, ages, gender, breed, if spayed/neutered, years you owned them and
what happened to all dogs that you have owned in the past 10 years that you no longer have:
Do you own cats? How many?
Are they spayed/neutered? If not, please explain why:
Other animals?
General Questions for Determining a Suitable Dog For You.
Why have you chosen to adopt a Boston Terrier?
Describe your ideal dog:
Age or age range preference: ___________
List all plans for this dog: (yes or no)
Family Member: Pet: Obedience : Agility: Guard:
Other:
PLEASE ANSWER EACH Of THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WITH A DEFINATE YES OR NO
What issues are you willing to work with?
Separation Anxiety Chewing Digging Fear Licking
Dog Aggression Cat Aggression Other
Are you willing to work with house training a Boston?
NOTE: EVEN PERFECTLY HOUSEBROKEN DOGS HAVE ACCIDENT!
If you are not willing to work with housebreaking issues, then you don't need to adopt a rescue dog.
What health issues are you willing to work with?
Allergies Arthritis Heart Problems Incontinence
Skin problems Cancer Other
No health issues preferred
What physical disabilities if any are you willing to accept in your adopted Boston?
Blind Deaf Limping One-eyed Three-Legged
Scars and deformities Multiple disabilities Other
No disabilities preferred
Do you want your Boston to be:
Couch potato Lap Puppy Fairly Laid back Medium Energy
Active Very Active Agility material Other
What household privileges are you going to give your dog?
Sleep on my/our bed Allowed on all furniture Allowed on some furniture
Have their own bed Access to entire house
Where will the dog spend the day?
Loose indoors Crate Basement Garage
Fenced Yard Kennel Other
On average, how many hours will the dog be without human company daily? (indicate with an X)
0 - Due to schedules someone is always home.
1 to 2 hours
2 to 4 hours
4 to 6 hours
6 to 8 hours
8 to 10 hours
Other
Where will the dog spend the night? (mark all that apply with an X)
Loose indoors Crate Basement Garage
Fenced Yard Kennel In my bed Other
What Brand of Dog food do you intend to feed your dog?
General Questions about your home environment
Do you own or rent your home?
Do you live in a:
House Apartment Condominium Other
How long have you lived at this address?
If less than 1 year, please state how long at previous address.
If renting, do you have your landlord's permission to keep a dog?
If renting, have you paid your pet deposit?
Amount of pet deposit paid/required?
Landlord's Business and Contact Name:
Landlord's Telephone number:
Note: If renting or you live in a condominium/co-op, or your house is a part of a homeowner's association, prior to adoption, you will need to provide a copy of the bylaws, rules and regulations of such association stating that there are no restrictions regarding owning a dog. If there is a limit on the number of pets you are allowed, please note the limit on the copy of the bylaws.
Have you inquired about the number of dogs/pets allowed by law per household in your city/county?
How many dogs are allowed per household in your city/county?
Describe your street: Describe the setting:
Busy? Rural/Farm or country setting?
Quiet? Suburban/smaller community near a larger city?
In-between? Urban/city?
Do you have a fenced yard?
What type of fence do you have:
Wood Privacy fence Wood Picket fence Radio/Electric fence
Chain link fence Concrete Block Wall Other
Fence Height
Does the fencing completely enclose a yard for the dog?
Is there a lock on your gate? If not, why not?
Do you have a swimming pool?
Is the swimming pool fenced for the dog's safety?
Do you have a doggie door?
If so, does it open into a fenced enclosure?
If no fence, how will you handle the dog's exercise and toilet duties?
Do you have a:
Garage Basement An outdoor shop or shed
If your home has one of these features, does your dog have free access to it?
IS ANYONE in the family ALLERGIC to animals?
If yes why do you want a dog if you have a family member who is allergic to animals?
If so, who is allergic to dogs and what reaction do they have when exposed?
How many living in the home children?
Name, Age, gender of children and if he/she has ever been around pets before:
Have you or anyone in your family given up a dog to an animal shelter, rescue, family member or other person?
If so, why?
Have you or anyone in your family had a pet get lost, die at an early age, or die in an accident?
If so, please give name of animal, what happened and how long ago:
HAS ANY MEMBER OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS EVER BEEN CHARGED WITH CRUELTY TO ANIMALS?.
THE ADOPTER REPRESENTS THAT NO MEMBER OF HOUSEHOLD HAS EVER BEEN CHARGED
WITH CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. Adopter's Initials:
If, a member of your family has been charged with cruelty to animals, please elaborate on the circumstances:
Are all family members in agreement about adopting a Boston?
If not, then why are you applying to adopt a Boston?
Are there regular visitors to your home (human or animal) with which your new dog must get along?
Describe the age of visitors and types of animals and how often they visit:
Name and age of person(s) who will care for the dog?
Do you and your family have time to exercise this dog?
Do you understand that Boston’s are highly energetic dogs and can be destructive if not exercised enough?
Do you expect to move in the near future?
If you were to move, what would you do with the dog?
Do you expect to have any children in the future?
If so, what will you do with the dog?
General Questions and information about fees and expenses.
Do you agree with and are you able to afford this monetary requirement to the adoption of a dog that has been at the very least spayed/neutered, checked for heartworms/lyme/erlichia and treated if positive and given vaccines for bordatella (kennel cough), rabies and DHLPPC and microchipped?
Yes, I/we understand. Adopter's initials:
No, I/we do not understand, Adopter's initials:
If your application is approved, we will require a NON-REFUNDABLE adoption donation of $150 to $450 depending on the age and health of each dog. This helps to defray the ever increasing cost of veterinary care.
If you cannot afford the adoption fee for a vetted dog, please be realistic and understand that you probably cannot afford the yearly vetting, food and other expenses that would be accrued for the dog.
Please do not ask us to discount our fees. We survive on adoption fees and donations. In most cases we have spent more than the adoption fee we are asking.
How much do you expect to spend per year for yearly vet care?
Yearly Grooming? Yearly boarding? Yearly cost of Food?
Yearly Licensing?
Yearly cost of toys, bedding, leashes, harnesses and other things for your pets comfort?
The previous question was to make you think realistically of all of the actual expenses that a dog would incur during a year after adoption. Dogs are not inexpensive.
Do you earn enough to take care of your family and take care of the costs of this dog after looking over your cost estimates?
How do you plan on getting your Boston?
I will pick him/her up
I will arrange other transportation
Other
I also understand that Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue derives its only source of funding through donations and fund-raising activities. The adoption donation for this animal is considered NON-REFUNDABLE..
Yes, I/we understand the fee is NON_REFUNDABLE. Adopter's initials:
No, I/we do not understand. Adopter's initials:
General Questions and information about Boston Terriers your expectations and responsibilities for a Boston that you ADOPT from us.
Do you understand and agree that any Boston’s you may adopt from ODBTR are REQUIRED to be indoor dogs?
Yes, Adopter's initials:
No, . Adopter's initials:
Do you understand that Boston’s can be destructive to toys, furniture and other things?
A bored dog is a destructive dog!!!
Yes, Adopter's initials:
No, . Adopter's initials:
What form of discipline would you use if your pet misbehaves?
Would you be willing to take your pet to a behaviorist/trainer if necessary? (i.e., if through your own efforts you were unable to train the dog?)
Yes, Adopter's initials:
No, Adopter's initials:
Due to the large number of dogs that come through our rescue, we do not have time to totally obedience train or house train. Sometimes we are lucky and get a well trained one, but most of the time the dogs need someone to love them and who is willing to work with them to make them into the dogs that they are capable of being. Adopters are expected to enroll in obedience classes to train their dogs or work with them as needed. If you expect a perfectly trained dog, then a rescue is not the dog for you.
Please note that ODBTR is NOT a rehab for dogs with major behavioral issues. We do NOT knowingly place a human aggressive dog in a home, which is why the dog is in foster with us for at least several weeks before placement.
I understand that Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue does not knowingly misrepresent any animal's age condition of health or temperament.
Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue is in no way liable or responsible for any damage, injury, or accident resulting from the placement of any dog into my household.
Yes, I understand. Adopter's initials:
No, I do not understand, Adopter's initials:
I/we understand that there is no health warranty given with the dog. If he develops an illness or injury after adoption, or is discovered to have an illness not discovered before adoption, the adopter is responsible for treating that illness/injury. If I/we are unable to afford needed vet care we will return any dog adopted from ODBTR to ODBTR or their designated representative.
Yes, I/we understand and agree. Adopter's initials:
No, I/we do not understand and agre. Adopter's initials:
I/we agree that if I/we are unable to care for or keep the dog for any reason, I/we will return the dog to the designated representative of Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue, at my/our expense.
Yes, I /we agree. Adopter's initials:
No, I/we do not agree. Adopter's initials:
I/we agree that in no event will the dog be sold or given away by me/us to another person or placed in an animal shelter or humane society or turned loose to roam freely?
Yes, I/we agree. Adopter's initials:
No, I/we do not agree. Adopter's initials:
I/we agree that I/we will properly house, feed, water, exercise, care for and provide inoculations, heartworm care and other veterinary or supportive care as the dog requires for the remainder of his lifetime, which includes giving Heartworm Preventative every month for the rest of his/her life.
Yes, I/we agree. Adopter's initials:
No, I/we do not agree. Adopter's initials:
I /we agree I/we will provide the dog with a permanent home as a member of my family and as such this pet will not be used as a guard dog, yard only dog, or dog fighting bait dog.
Yes, I/we agree. Adopter's initials:
No, I/we do not agree. Adopter's initials:
I agree that I/we will exercise proper control and restraint over the dog at all times and not allow the dog to run at large. I agree to have a harness and identification tags on the dog at all times.
Yes, I/we agree. Adopter's initials:
No, I/we do not agree. Adopter's initials:
I agree that the dog will NEVER be used for experimentation purposes.
Yes, I/we agree. Adopter's initials:
No, I/we do not agree. Adopter's initials:
I agree I/we will notify Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue if the dog is ever lost, stolen or deceased.
Yes, I/we agree. Adopter's initials:
No, I /we do not agree. Adopter's initials:
I/we will add to our will or living trust provisions for the care of the dog. The executor will notify ODBTR of the change of ownership. The dog is to be returned to ODBTR if there is no responsible person listed and that ODBTR reserves the right to reclaim the dog.
Yes, I/we agree. Adopter's initials:
No, I/we do not agree. Adopter's initials:
I understand that In the event the Transferee(s) breaches any covenant or condition herein and incurs any legal costs, including any attorney's fees, costs of litigation, including costs of deposition, witness fees for expert or non expert witnesses; or court costs; or any other expense in relation to the enforcement of any covenant or condition, the transferee(s) shall be individually and jointly liable therefore to Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue.
Yes, I/we understand and agree! Adopter's initials:
No, I/we do not agree. Adopter's initials:
I/We agree that I/we will allow representatives of Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue to check the dog and its environment, and that if at any time the placement is found to be detrimental to the dog's health, mental or physical well-being, Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue reserves the right to remove the dog from said placement until the situation is corrected or until another placement can be made. It is agreed that rescuer shall retain superior title of said animal, limited to and for the express purpose of assuring the animal's well-being and only to exercise its superior claim in the event it appears to rescue that the proper and humane care, as specified in the above adoption provisions, is not being afforded said animal, in which case the animal may be taken through a claim and delivery proceeding. The adopter further agrees that if there is any breach or default of the terms of this contract, and the dog must be redeemed through a claim and delivery service, that the adopter will be held liable for all court costs and fees for the adopter's attorney and for rescuer's attorney. This has been read to the adopter and explained to the adopter. The adopter has read this, understands and agrees to this and is signing this contract.
Yes, I/we agree. Adopter's initials:
No, I/we do not agree. Adopter's initials:
Please contact us if you adopt another dog or buy a puppy or just change your mind so we can discard your application.
*OLD DOMINION BOSTON TERRIER RESCUE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY APPLICATION FOR ANY REASON* The answers you give on this application will help us find the best possible match between you and the dogs available for adoption. Remember we are searching for the perfect home for each individual dog. You may have a perfect home for one dog, but not another. Even if you fall in love with the looks of a particular dog and submit an application stating that is the dog you want to adopt, we are not obligated to adopt that particular dog to you if we consider the dog is not the right match for your household. We will suggest other dogs that we consider suitable for your household based upon the answers to our questions in the application. This is not an over night process and we are volunteers, so please expect some waiting time (1-6 weeks) to be involved. Please answer all questions as completely as possible. If any information is omitted, the application will be discarded. We reserve the right to inspect the prospective home environment both before and after adoption without any advanced notice. In addition, if we discover that any information on this form was knowingly falsified, we reserve the right to refuse to adopt a dog to you and to take any adopted dog back into our possession. PLEASE NOTE: If your application is approved, we will require a NON-REFUNDABLE adoption donation to defray the ever-increasing costs of veterinary care for our rescued dogs. Also, at the time of adoption, you will be required to sign a contract committing to the care of the dog. A mandatory part of that care is monthly heartworm preventive. In addition, a rescue volunteer will be responsible for confirming that you have visited a veterinarian and obtained heartworm preventative within the time allotted. Preventive medical care is just as necessary for your adopted dog as love, food, and water. Please remember that the Boston Terrier is a high-energy, people oriented dog that requires a great deal of exercise and human companionship. Plus ALL Dogs who have short muzzles cannot tolerate extremes in temperature and should be housedogs. So if you want a dog that does not require a lot of your time and attention, you probably need to look for a different breed. One last note: ALL DOGS adopted from us will be spayed or neutered before being adopted out. We DO NOT provide fertile dogs to be bred to add more puppies to the already overburdened pet population.
I/we, the undersigned (the "adopter"), certify that all of the above information is accurate and complete. I/we understand that if selected and I/we adopt a dog from Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue, I must comply with the following: The adopter shall keep the animal as an indoor pet with outdoor privileges and will provide it with proper identification via one or more of the of the following: (a) harness plus ID tag (b) microchip information. The animal will be kept under control at all times, on leash or in a crate, when it is off the adopter’s property. The adopter shall provide adequate veterinary care for the animal, including vaccinations recommended by your licensed veterinarian including but not limited to rabies DHLPP and Bordatella, heartworm preventative 12 months a year and any other care recommended by the animal's veterinarian. The adopter will take the animal to the veterinarian if it is ill. If the adopter is unable to do so, the adopter will notify one of the Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue contacts immediately. The adopter agrees to notify Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue of any change of address or telephone number within 30 days. If the animal is lost or stolen, adopter will immediately notify Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue. The adopter shall return the animal to Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue if, for whatever reason, the adopter is no longer able to keep the dog or provide for it. The adopter shall not sell, give or otherwise transfer or convey the animal to anyone other than Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue unless directed to do otherwise by ODBTR. Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue is not liable for the acts of any DOG after placement with adopter.
I/we hereby certify that I/we have read the above Adoption Application Contract, fully understand all that I /we have read, and I/we agree to each and every term and condition.
Transferee's printed full name and initials:
Co-Transferee's printed full name and initials:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Phone:
Please return the completed application by email to ODBTR1@embarqmail.com
PLEASE DO NOT SEND IN AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION,
AS IT MAY BE DISCARDED
PLEASE CHECK TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ANSWERED EACH PART OF MULTI-PART QUESTIONS INDIVIDUALLY
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