Thank you for considering adopting a dog from Lakeshore PAWS.
Please read through the following important information as it outlines our adoption process. If you are interested in adopting, please fill out our application here.
1. APPLICATION You must have an approved application on file to meet with any of our dogs. Applications will stay on file for 6 months. The approval process can take anywhere between 24-72 hours. The application is online, however, we do have a computer at our adoption center where the application can also be filled out. (This is not an adoption application, but rather a screening to become approved for adoption.) Adoptions are not first come first serve but rather first best match. Our goal is to place dogs with families in homes that will suit their personality and needs. (Example: A high-energy large breed dog would be best in a home with a yard rather than a studio apartment.)
2. CONTACT US If you do not hear from us within 48 hours of your application, please contact us to check on the status of your application. Please realize that we may receive up to 50 applications for a specific dog and yours may have come in after a first-best match was accepted.
3. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT We highly recommend making an appointment after your application has been approved. We do not do physical walk-throughs of the kennels but rather place you in a meeting room and bring the dogs to you. With a limited number of rooms, there might not always be time on the schedule for you to meet with available dogs.
4. MEET THE DOGS Bring the whole family to meet the dog you’re interested in! If you have children we would like to see the interactions between them and your potential new pet! If you have a dog(s), we require a meet and greet to make sure interactions are positive. Your dog(s) must be up to date on vaccines, spay/neutered, and on heartworm preventative. We do require vet records and/or do a vet check.
5. FOSTER TO ADOPT If your appointment goes well, we recommend doing an “FTA” (Foster-to-Adopt) period** with the potential new dog you’re interested in. It is a 3-day trial to make sure the dog you’re interested in fits your home and lifestyle. During this time Lakeshore PAWS will provide anything needed for the dogs stay in your home (food, crate, medication, etc.) We want the best possible fit for our dogs and for you to be positive about your decision to adopt a new furmember.
***FTA is only eligible for dogs older than 6 months.
6. ADOPT Adoption time! It’s a perfect fit and you’re ready to add a new member to your family. We’ll have you fill out paperwork, you’ll learn about the *bonuses* of adopting a dog through us, and then you’ll be on your way to living a happy furever after!
