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​How to Adopt

 

WE ARE LOCATED IN MINNESOTA, AND WILL ADOPT WITHIN A 400 MILE RADIUS

OF THE MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL METRO AREA.

Steps in our adoption process include:

1) Fill out an application online. Taking this step indicates you are truly interested in adopting a dog. It is not binding.

2) If your application meets the requirements for the dog you're interested in, it will be screened through an initial interview with one of our volunteers. If your application does not meet the requirements, we will make every effort to let you know. However, we are all volunteers and in some cases you may not be contacted based on resource availability.

3) If we determine your home could be a good fit for one of our dogs, we will complete reference and vet checks and set up a home visit, which may occur in person or virtually.

 

4) Your full application is reviewed. If approved to adopt, we move to the next step.

5) Your application file is sent to the foster home. If the foster feels you are a match for their foster dog, they will call you to talk in detail and possibly move to an in-person meeting. Meetings are allowed only after 
applications are fully approved. All family members (including resident dogs) must participate in meeting a new potential family member. (There may be an exception when adopting a puppy, which is at the foster's discretion)

6) Our fosters have the obligation and are entrusted with determining if a home is the right fit for their foster dog. If the first dog is not a match, we may suggest another dog for your family.  Your application can be kept on file for a potential future dog at your request.

7) Adoption is complete with payment and a signed adoption contract. 

Our adoption fees include spay/neuter, microchip, heartworm and Lyme tests, rabies & distemper vaccinations (if old enough). The specific adoption fee for each adoptable dog is provided in their Petfinder listing. We are required to charge appropriate MN sales tax.

HEART OF A BORDER COLLIE RESCUE, INC. - ADOPTION AGREEMENT

-Document includes recommendations and requirements for new adopters
View our adoption agreement >>

Do You Have What It Takes?

 

Adopting a dog, specifically a Border Collie, is a big decision for you and your family.  Do you have what it takes?  Please read and consider the following:

 

If you come to adopt with an open heart to join hearts with another being and share a life with them, then there is a good chance you’ll find your canine friend. If you come to adopt expecting the perfect dog with no issues, then you will not be as likely to find your canine friend.

 

The dogs in rescue, by and large, are here because someone else has given up on them. For whatever reason, through their own fault or not, they are abandoned. Sometimes they have fear issues; sometimes they have never lived a normal loving life; and sometimes they are just fine and need another home because of problems their people are facing. Regardless of why they land in rescue, they need you to be committed in the right way.

 

Please expect to put time, energy and money into working with a rescue dog.

 

Change is not always easy for dogs. It is important to have patience and tolerance for understanding life from their perspective. They will not be perfect (but neither are you when you do something new).

 

You may endure problems in the beginning as the dog adjusts to a totally new life. Those problems might be chewing, peeing, pooping, barking, hiding or even growling. Some dogs may require a session or two with a trainer. 

There also may be medical issues that we cannot see which means you'll spend money you didn't expect to spend. You are not buying a new car, you are rescuing a living, breathing dog that needs care. We have given our hearts, souls and wallets to insure these dogs leave healthy, happy and ready for a new life but there are no guarantees. If you want perfect hips, perfect eyes and no problems, go to a reputable (not bargain) breeder who checks all this out.

 

If you come to adopt understanding that the love in the hearts of these dogs is tremendous and unparalleled when you connect with them, then you have the right perspective.

 

If you can imagine what it feels like to be misunderstood your whole life, not wanted and not cared for properly, then imagine what it is like for someone to finally care enough to put the time into giving you what you need. That is why rescue dogs bond so deeply and so strongly when they find their person. Finally, someone understands who they are and what they are here to give to people. 

 

Rescue is really about YOU being rescued. About YOU digging deeper into your heart to work through whatever comes up, to unconditionally love a dog who is willing to unconditionally love you. If we all have a chance in life to truly experience the joy of real love between two beings, then possibly the human race has a chance to be rescued. It takes effort and hard work sometimes, to find real joy.  That is what we are looking for in adopters - people who are adopting for the right reason. 

Please note: Every effort is taken to make this process as efficient as possible but there are times that there may be delays to the schedules of our team of volunteers. 

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