Frequently Asked Questions about Adopting!
How long does it take to have my application processed?
We do our best to process your application quickly, but please bear in mind, that we are all volunteers working around jobs, family and other commitments. As a general rule, with no complications, an application can take 3-5 days. Some of the things that may cause delays are difficulty reaching references, receiving application on the weekend and unable to reach vet clinics until opening hours, incorrect information on the application, and the failure to send in the consent form to release information to your vet clinic(s).
Can I meet the dog/cat before I apply?
No. We conduct references ahead of connecting you with the foster home caring for the dog or cat you are interested in adopting.
The dog/cat I applied for has multiple applications….now what?
We will take several factors into consideration for the dog or cat being applied for and may eliminate applications that do not provide a suitable home for them.
For example, a dog that is known to be bad with cats will not be considered for a home with cats. We will review all applications that have been received and proceed with the best interest and needs of each individual animal in mind. We DO NOT adopt our cats and dogs on a first come first served basis. It is very important that we adopt them to the most suitable home and we ask that you trust us to make the decision that is right for the cat or dog.
We will contact the applicant that we are moving forward with and will let the others know that we are proceeding with another application. Please keep in mind that applications can be withdrawn or other circumstances may cause the initial application to no longer be considered and we may contact you to see if you wish to proceed with the adoption.
For example, a dog that is known to be bad with cats will not be considered for a home with cats. We will review all applications that have been received and proceed with the best interest and needs of each individual animal in mind. We DO NOT adopt our cats and dogs on a first come first served basis. It is very important that we adopt them to the most suitable home and we ask that you trust us to make the decision that is right for the cat or dog.
We will contact the applicant that we are moving forward with and will let the others know that we are proceeding with another application. Please keep in mind that applications can be withdrawn or other circumstances may cause the initial application to no longer be considered and we may contact you to see if you wish to proceed with the adoption.
Will you hold my application on file for future use?
No. We cannot at this time, hold and consider past applications for future adoptions. We ask that if a new dog or cat becomes available that you are interested in adopting, to please submit a new application. This eliminates a backlog of potential applicants, and saves us from contacting previous applicants who may no longer be interested in adopting, and could cause significant delays when a new dog or cat becomes available.
I have adopted from you in the past, does this mean my application still needs to be processed?
Yes. Depending on the time elapsed, we will conduct all the same reference checks for any applications received. Lots can change in your life in a short time frame and we want to make sure the dog or cat you are applying for is really the right fit for you. Another thing to keep in mind, all dogs and cats are individuals and we might have a different set of questions depending on the personality of the dog or cat, breed traits or other expectations for their care, such as a senior dog with health issues.
I want to apply for a dog/cat but I am going away, can I apply now and pick them up later?
No. We have learned the hard way that we cannot hold animals for adoption if you are going away on holidays, in the process of moving or any other reason that may delay pick up of the dog or cat. We will consider any new applications that come in for the dog or cat as we simply cannot hold animals. In the past, adoptions had been approved with a pick up arranged weeks in the future, only to have the adopters change their mind and decide not to adopt the dog or cat. In the meantime, we had turned away other applicants that may have provided an amazing home. Also, we cannot have our foster spaces being filled with dogs or cats awaiting pick up causing us to have to turn away a dog or cat in need of that space.
My reference checks were done, and I met the dog/cat I applied for but it’s not the right fit for me, can I transfer my application to another dog/cat?
In short, yes but we will require you to ask to meet one of our current adoptables as we will not hold your application for future consideration on dogs or cats coming into rescue.
What types of things are you looking for when considering an application?
We want everyone to be happy and try to find the forever homes for each of our adoptables! We seek out homes that will be the best fit for all of the dogs or cats in our care. We ask that you take the time to read through their profiles on our website before applying to avoid disappointment. We try to include everything about each dog and cat in rescue, all the good stuff, the quirky stuff and even the not-so-good stuff. If you are renting, we will check to see you have permission to have an animal in your rental. If you have or have had pets in the past 10 years, we will check to see if you consistently provided the appropriate vet care for your pets and that any current dogs or cats are spayed and/or neutered. As a rescue, we actively seek out homes that share our belief in spaying and neutering.
What are the terms and conditions of adopting through Funds for Furry Friends?
Please visit our website and follow the link to our Online Adoption Application. You will find a downloadable Adoption Contract that has all of the terms and conditions of adoption through our rescue.
Do you require a fenced yard to adopt?
No. But please keep in mind that the dog you are applying for may be best suited to a home with a fenced yard, for example, a dog that is prone to wandering or running. We wouldn’t adopt a dog with a terrible recall to a home where he would be expected to return when being called.
Do you adopt cats or kittens to outdoor only or indoor/outdoor homes?
As a general rule, we wouldn’t. Our foster cats and kittens are indoor only in their foster homes and we would hope to find them the same kind of forever home. We do occasionally have cats that have been harness trained or cats that are better suited to an outdoor lifestyle, and we would make a point of listing these attributes in their profiles.
Do you adopt dogs or puppies to outdoor only homes?
We follow the same guidelines as we do for the cats and our foster homes allow our dogs and puppies to follow an indoor/outdoor lifestyle. This means the dog is welcomed in the home as a part of the family and spends their nights sleeping inside. As with the cats, we do occasionally have dogs in rescue that are better suited to an outdoor only home and we would be certain to include this in their profile.
I live some distance away from the foster home, can I have my application pre-approved?
No. We do require two trips to complete the adoption process. After your references are checked, we will connect you with the foster home to make your first visit appointment. That initial visit is to see if this is the right dog or cat for you but we don’t want you to make that decision hastily. We want you to go home, talk about it with other family members and make sure you are ready to commit to providing the best care for your new furry friend for their entire lives. We also take this time to connect with the foster home to see how the visit went. Once you are ready, you can let us know by email or phone call that you are ready to proceed. We will then call and go over any remaining questions you may have, ask you any questions we may have left to ask you and to go over the terms in our adoption contract. We will let you know if you have been approved and then ask you to make arrangements with the foster home to pick up your new furry friend. Foster homes are instructed to not release their foster dog or cat without approval from a representative of Funds for Furry Friends.
I want to adopt a puppy/kitten, how is the spay or neuter arranged?
We will forward a letter with an appointment booked for your puppy or kitten by one of our volunteers at a participating vet clinic in our adoption package after the two week trial period. Please see below for the list of participating clinics….you will be expected to have your puppy or kitten at the clinic prior to 9 am.
Birchwood Animal Hospital (Winnipeg MB) - 204-832-1368
Boissevain Vet Clinic (Boissevain MB) - 204-534-3212
Border Vet Animal Health Services (Melita MB) - 204-522-8405
Border Vet Animal Health Services (Carnduff SK) - 306-482-3678
Brandon Animal Clinic (Brandon MB) - 204-728-9140
Brydges & Taylor Vet Hospital (Neepawa MB) - 204-476-5677
Carberry Small Animal Clinic (Carberry MB) - 204-834-2033
Glenboro Veterinary Clinic (Glenboro MB) - 204-827-2546
Grand Valley Animal Clinic (Brandon MB) - 204-728-0033
Portage Veterinary Clinic (Portage la Prairie MB) - 204-239-4554
Selkirk Animal Hospital (Selkirk MB) - 204-482-4401
Souris Vet Clinic (Souris MB) - 204-483-2898
Southglen Veterinary Hospital (Winnipeg MB)
Uptown Pet Clinic (Dauphin MB) - 204-638-3655
Virden Animal Hospital (Virden MB) - 204-748-3950
Can I Submit An Application and Not List Which Dog/Cat I Want to Meet Until After Reference Checks are Done?
Yes, but please be aware that your application may not take priority over applications with specific animals named. We can receive multiple applications on any given day, and if you have not listed a specific dog or cat, we may choose to go forward with another application. If you are interested in a specific dog or cat, please list them. If you meet them, and they are not the right animal for you, your application can be transferred to another dog or cat. We cannot hold adoptions of any dogs or cats for an applicant that is uncertain if we receive an application from an interested family who meets all the requirements for the dog or cat they are applying for.
Can I Submit an Application and List Multiple Dogs/Cats?
Yes, we understand that sometimes people need to meet the dog or cat to see if there is a connection. However, we may still accept applications for one or more of the dogs or cats that you have listed. Please try your best to list them in order of preference. And please take the time to read through their profiles to see if they are the right fit for your home. For example, don’t list a dog that may be questionable with cats if you have cats. We cannot hold adoptions of any dogs or cats for an applicant that is uncertain if we receive an application from an interested family who meets all the requirements for the dog or cat they are applying for.
