How to Adopt
Sunny, Adopted 2021
Placing our home fostered rescue dogs and cats as a true happy family member for life, is our most important and rewarding mission. We look for a match based on the animal's activity level, training needs, care, personality and behavior traits. Please read The Ugly Truth About Animal Shelters
We do not have a shelter or office.
Most dogs & cats show their true personality after they have lived in a foster home for about 2 weeks. Our rescue dogs & cats are cared for, trained and loved by dedicated volunteer foster homes.
Our Rescue Dogs & Cats
Every rescue dog and cat get their vet care, vaccinations, deworm, spay & neutered, ID chip, supplies, grooming and additional vet care as needed. We rescue many neglected, abused and behavior/medical needy animals from shelters. Some medical needy dogs and cat's vet bills cost FFR $1,000 to $9,000+ (Meet our Miracle Club Dogs & Cats) Sanctuary and end of life animals cost us more for their life time care. We survive on kind donations to defray all our vet, supplies and boarding expenses. See below for more detail information on vet care, adoption, food, dog/child & training tips. Also check out our FAQ page.
What We Feed Our Rescue Dogs & Cats
We only feed Holistic food and treats with added supplements (i.e. probiotics) so our rescue dogs and cats get healthy and happy!
For optimal health, please read:
- Holistic/Quality Food
- Holistic Care Tips
- Training tips & classes. Great information for all new adoptions!
5 Steps to adoption (Adoptions only in the SF Bay Area)
- Application: Please read and fill out our on-line application. The person filling out this application must be an adult (21 yrs+) and the primary owner or renter of your home.
- Application for Dog
For Puppy Adoption, please read our Puppy Adoption Requirement before you apply. - Application for Cats
- Application for Dog
- Contact and Virtual Meet: A volunteer FFR Adoption Counselor will contact you within 72 hours if the dog or cat is available and a match. The adoption counselor will coordinate a virtual appointment to meet with you and your family. They may do your home visit at the same time. Once approved, the foster home will set a virtual meet with you to show you their foster dog or cat. Best to see how the pet behaves naturally at their home.
- We, unfortunately, are not able to reply to every application.
- Timeframe of our contact could change depending on the number of applications submitted or when the dogs/cats has the label "New")
- When you see "NEW" label on dogs/cats, it means they are newly rescued. New dogs & cats need at least 2 weeks or more to learn, see more of their personalities, and get healthy at their foster homes. Medical needy and neglected dogs/cats need even more time to get healthy and heal from all their vet care. So for these cases, we will contact possible matching applications when he/she is ready for adoption. Thank you for your understanding! 🙏
- Meet in Person: You and your entire family/household (including your current dog/dogs, not cats) need to meet the dog or cat with our foster home or Adoption Counselor. If the home visit has been completed prior, then you can adopt at this meet. Adoption Contract and details will be emailed to you prior.
- We rarely have showcases at this time. Future showcases will be posted on our Facebook page and adoption showcases page.
- For cats: Virtual Cat Adoption Showcases (via Zoom) on Saturdays
- Home Visit: If a match, the Adoption Counselor will set up a virtual home visit or in person home visit, which may be done prior with first virtual meet with a counselor. Home visit is for the animal's safety and respect for our foster home's emotional bond to their foster dog or cat.
- We microchip every dog, puppy, kitten and cat that we adopt out. For more information on microchipping and it's benefits to you and your companion animal, see 24Petwatch
- If you are renting your home, we will need "Written Landlord Approval" for the pet you wish to adopt prior to our home visit. If you own your home, provide name(s) on Deed (FFR may ask for proof of home ownership documentation (e.g. property tax bill in your name, deed showing title in your name, or mortgage statement in your name)
- Adoption for Life!
Meet and complete Adoption Contract (by e-mail or in person) and pay the adoption fee to bring your new furry kid home! Vet records will be e-mailed to you. We will register the animal's FFR ID Chip for you. Lifetime registration is included with our current microchip.
The dog or cat already suffered loss and abandonment prior to us rescuing them. Our foster homes train and care for the dog or cat like their own pets and love them. Please make sure you are truly ready and can make a life-long commitment to the dog or cat.
- Should the dog or cat not work out after you adopt, we will take them back for life or find them a new adoption home thru FFR.
- We will refund half of your adoption fee if returned within 2 weeks of adoption date.
With each personal adoption from Furry Friends Rescue (FFR), you will receive a profile of your new furry friend from their foster home, training tips to help you and your new dog or cat get off to the right start to insure a forever home for life.
The animals have been abandoned at least once already so you need to make the life-long committment to the dog/cat. However, should the animal not work out, we will take them back for life or help with new placement thru FFR.
We highly recommend you and your new dog attending Dog Training classes. There is mandatory training for puppy adoptions. See Behavior/training tips/classes.
Puppy Adoption Requirements
Kiwi, Adopted 2021
- Mandatory Puppy Training Classes and socials are required for our Puppy Adoptions to ensure the puppy will get the right start and guidance!
- $100 Refundable Training Deposit.
- Must sign up for Puppy Training classes in 2 weeks of adoption and complete training classes. The critical period of socialization and training lasts for the pup's entire life.
- See our Behavior/Training page for list of trainers, puppy socials, classes and training tips.
- Please read The Critical Importance of Socializing Your Puppy (Article) and other requirements detail in our How to Adopt Puppy section.
- Kids 8 years old and up only. Why we don't adopt pups to families with young kids under 8 yrs old?
About Our Rescued Animals
Keo, Dagny, Rusty and Sarah
Every rescue dog, puppy, cat & kitten are seen by vet, vaccinated by vet, dewormed, ID Micro-chipped, FFR ID Tag (dogs only), get flea protection or grooming as needed, and Spayed/Neutered. Our dog & pups come with their collar, safety slip or harness and leash.
- Dogs/Pups vaccinations: DHPP, Bordetella, & Rabies (when 4 mos).
- Cats/Kittens vaccination/test: FVRCP. FeLV tested (depending on age or based on current shelter/HS/SPCA protocols, (FIV test is not accurate til 6 mos. of age)
- Additional care as needed while in our care : Grooming, receive flea protection if needed, and any other necessary vet care, including special medical or emergency needs. Read about out "Miracle Club" Dogs and Cats.
We microchip every dog, puppy, kitten and cat that we adopt out. For more information on microchipping and it's benefits to you and your companion animal, see HomeAgain.com/ and FoundAnimals.org.
**Note: Adoption in Northern California - SF Bay Area Only**
Food: For optimal health, we feed and only recommend feeding a variety of high quality holistic and fresh foods & treats (made in the USA).
Most of our dogs and cats have had a rough start in life. We want to make sure we place them in a committed and loving family FOR LIFE. So we go through a thorough adoption process to ensure the best match for both animals and a family. Thank you for your understanding!
- PLEDGE FOR LIFE
- "How could you?" by Jim Willis
- Adopting a Rescue Dog –The First Seven Days–
- "A Dog's Christmas" - Please Don't Give Dogs/Cats As Christmas Gift...
Criteria for Adoption
Dogs | Golden Dogs (Senior Dogs) | Puppies | Cats & Kittens
Adoption fee usually do not cover all our expenses (vet care, boarding, supplies, grooming, emergency/special medical needs) for every dog or cat.
Adult Dogs - Criteria for Adoption -
- Indoor Family Member dog. Must sleep indoors in home (not garage).
- Fenced and contained yard so the dog has the freedom to go outside from the house to the yard for their potty business. Fence must be secure and TOO tall for the dog to jump over or escape.
- Must be walked daily or receive adequate exercise.
- Family must comply with all state, local laws and ordinance relating to keeping the dog including the leash laws.
Every rescue dog is home fostered. Many were neglected, untrained and unhealthy when we rescue them in. Each dogs are;
- vet examined,
- vaccinated (DHPP, Bordatella, rabies),
- dewormed,
- ID chipped,
- groomed (if needed),
- receive flea protection (if needed),
- spayed or neutered and
- receive any necessary vet care.
Many kind foster homes purchase and donate supplies for their foster dog. To help defray our vet bills and supply expenses per dog, our adoption fee for Teen to Adult Dogs:
Adoption Fee for Teen-Adult Dogs (8 months - 6 years old):
Due to increased costs for vet care, spay/neuter (2-3 times higher with vets), and everyday basic needs, we greatly appreciate donations to cover FFR costs when adopting.
- Mix Breed: $500 - $650 (depending on vet care cost)
- Purebred/High Adoptable mix: $650 - $800 plus (depending on vet care cost)
- Pitbull Mix & Chihuahua Mix (not Long Haired Chihuahua): $300 - $450
As needed, add $50 refundable deposit for completion of Dog Training (refunded upon proof of completion).
- Family must provide the dog with annual vet exam and provide all necessary veterinary care as needed.
- Adoption from FFR is only consumate upon a home visit.
Golden Dogs (Senior Dogs 7 yrs+) - Criteria for Adoption -
Sabrina, rescued 2013
- Dogs (7 yrs+): $350 - $450 (high adoptable), Chihuahua/mix & Pit/mix: $200 - $350 or please help match vet bill cost to FFR (usually about $400 - $1,500+)
Once we rescue a dog, we take him/her to our vet for an exam, any necessary treatments needed (i.e., blood panel tests), core vaccinations, spay/neuter, many dental works, deworming, ID Chip, bath/grooming, boarding and provide them with all supplies (collars, leashes, toys, food, etc.). Usually, the vet bill and supplies always cost us much more than our adoption fee. Special medical needs and surgeries cost us $1,500 to $14,000. All vets have increased their prices 2-3 times higher. - Please read more adoption criteria at Dogs section.
- Meet our currently available Golden Dogs
Read the benefit of adopting a mature dog and How to Calculate Your Dog's Age. Small and toy breeds don't become "seniors" until around age 10. With healthy food and care, most are "middle age"!
"Golden Dogs for Seniors" Adoption Program
Our Seniors for Seniors adoption program helps with the match of a perfect golden furry friend for seniors (62+ years) who want to enjoy and love a mature dog without all the energy and training involved with adopting a young active dog... Read more
To get the process started, use our Online Dog Application
Puppies - Criteria for Adoption -
Kodiak, rescued 2020
- Why we don't adopt pups to families with young kids under 8 yrs old?
- Safety concerns with dogs and young kids?
- Someone must be home every 3-4 hours to care for and train the puppy.
- Indoor Family Member dog. Must sleep indoors in home (not garage).
- Fenced and secure yard so the pup has the freedom to go outside from the house to the yard for their potty business. Fence must be secure and too tall for the dog to jump over or escape from when they are full grown.
- Must provide pup with daily walks, exercise and social time.
- Family must comply with all state, local laws and ordinance relating to keeping the dog including leash laws.
Every rescue puppy is home fostered. Each puppies are;
- vet examined,
- vaccinated (DHPP, Bordatella, rabies at 4-5 months),
- dewormed,
- ID chipped,
- groomed (as needed),
- receive flea protection (as needed),
- spayed or neutered (at appropriate age for their growth health) and
- any necessary vet care.
Many kind foster homes purchase and donate supplies for their foster puppy. To help defray our vet bills and supply expenses per puppy, please see adoption fee below:
Adoption Fee for Puppies:
- Puppy (8 weeks - 7 months): $500 - $550 (Mix), $600 - $800 plus (Purebred/High Adoptable/Size). All vets have raised their prices for first exam/vaccinations/deworm/ID chip and doubled their spay & neuter prices to $400 - $800 (based on size and spay cost more). Cost does not even cover our supplies and food we have to buy. Add to Adoption Fee: $150 refundable deposit for *spay/neuter ($50) and puppy training classes ($100). Sign up for Puppy Training classes in 2 weeks of adoption and complete training classes. Training and spay/neuter deposit will be refunded upon proof of completion. (Please also read our Puppy Adoption Requirements) If the puppy is already spayed/neutered, then the refundable puppy training deposit is $100.
- *$50 Refundable deposit for Spay & Neuter deposit. For the puppy's joint growth, immunity and behavior health as adults, we spay and neuter at 6 months or based on adult dog size. We want your puppy to grow up to be healthy adult dogs, live long lives and avoid suffering any possible early sp/n problems.
- We will schedule and authorize the appointment at one of our designated spay and neuter clinics. We cover the spay or neuter surgery cost only which is included in the adoption fee. Any additional needs (vaccinations, baby teeth extractions, dew claw removal) and cone will be the adopter's responsibility. We will refund the deposit after the puppy is spayed or neutered with spay/neuter certificate.
- Upon adoption, any additional needs, booster vaccinations, deworm, and rabies are the adopter's responsibility to cover and completed with their vet.
- It is crucial that puppy training classes are attended (See our Behavior/Training page) to aid in socialization skills (and to show the owner how to train the puppy)
- Mandatory Puppy Socials and Training Classes are required for our Puppy Adoptions to ensure the puppy will get the right start and guidance! The critical period of socialization and training lasts for the dog's entire life. See our Behavior/Training page for list of trainers, puppy socials, classes and training tips.
- Suggested books: The Perfect Puppy : How to Raise a Well-Behaved Dog by Gwen Bailey and Before and After Getting Your Puppy by Ian Dunbar. We'd love it if you purchased these books through AmazonSmile! Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Furry Friends Rescue whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
- Family must provide the dog with annual vet exam and provide all necessary veterinary care as needed.
- Adoption from FFR is only consummated upon a home visit and adoption contract.
Recommended reads:
- The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
- BEFORE You Get Your Puppy
- AFTER You Get Your Puppy
To get the process started, use our Online Dog Application
Cats & Kittens - Criteria for Adoption -
Must read article: Why Young Cats Should Be Adopted In Pairs
Tulip & Daisy - Rescued 2010
- Indoor Family Member Cat.
- They cannot de-claw the cat.
- Family must comply with all state, local laws and ordinance relating to keeping the cat.
- Family must provide the cat with annual vet exam and provide all necessary veterinary care as needed.
- Adoption counselors must be able to meet with all family members who will be living with the cat.
- Renters must provide a "Written Letter of Approval" from landlord allowing the pet.
All our kittens and cats are home fostered by volunteers. Each get vet exams, vaccinated with FVRCP, deworm (strongid/drontal), spayed or neutered, ID chipped, receive flea protection as needed and FeLV tested (depending on age or based on current shelter protocols, FIV test is not accurate til after 6 mos. of age).
Each cat cost us about $175 - $500+ for basic vet care needs and spay or neuter. Our fee does not include all their food and supplies we have to purchase. Some special medical needs and emergency care cost us about $1000 - $6000 for their vet care. Normal vet cost per cat would cost you about $300 - $800 plus and more for additional medical needs/tests.
To help defray some of our vet bills on each kitten or cat, our adoption fee help cover their vet care. We appreciate donations to help match the cat's vet bills.
Adoption Fee for Cats:
- Kittens (8 weeks to 7 mos): $160 - $175 each. Pair discount.
- Adult Cat (8 mos - 2 years): $100
- Adult Cat (3 years+): $50
- Senior for Senior: Cat 7 yrs+ to seniors (65 yrs+), adoption fee waived.
- Adoption from FFR is consummate only upon a home visit and adoption contract.
To get the process started, use our Online Cat Application
Other Useful Information
"Adoption is for Life" Poem
"He is your friend,your partner,
your defender,
your dog.
You are his life,
his love,
his leader.
He will be yours,
faithful and true,
to the last beat of his heart.
You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
- Unknown
Also see...Forgotten Dog's Christmas
