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Adoption Procedures

Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue
Revised March 7, 2007

MABCR’s purpose is to match misplaced Border Collies with loving families. This match game is important because every Border Collie has a unique temperament and level of energy/activity. If one obtains a puppy, there are always questions about what traits this dog will have as it matures. Most dogs in rescue are adult dogs and there are many advantages to adopting an adult dog. It is already known if the dog likes children, has an instinct for herding, is a candidate for agility or obedience training and most importantly, what he is like to live with! Past experience has shown that rescued dogs bond very closely with their adoptive families and many times adult dogs have an easier time adjusting than pups! These dogs seem to understand when they have been placed into a loving, permanent home and their instincts lead them to have a desire to bond with their human family and to work for the new people in their lives.

All people desiring to adopt a dog from MABCR are asked to go through our adoption process and some say that it is easier to adopt a human child! I beg to differ. The questions that we ask and the procedures that we go through are solely to place the dog into the best home possible, as well as to protect the dog and his future family. We do ask that you be sure that you are serious about adopting a border collie before filling out the application to adopt and to be sure that you are prepared for a dog that not be perfect, but will become the best dog you ever imagined!

Once an application has been completed and returned, home visits may be initiated and an interview may be done in person or via telephone. We also require that you show a good veterinary history and that you take good care of all of your current pets. We do reserve the right to refuse an applicant for any reason.

After approval, potential adopters will meet the dog(s) that has been chosen as a suitable match and can then proceed with choosing their new companion! Adopter's are required to travel to the dog's location.

Once the “right” dog is found, arrangements for placement in the new home will be made. Each dog is neutered and up to date on Rabies inoculations and DHLPP as well as heartworm preventative. Should an adopter wish to have x-rays or other tests performed to certify health or athletic ability prior to adoption, we will happily do so with the tests pre-paid by the adopter. Signing an adoption contract is required, we ask for an adoption donation of $250.00 and reimbursement of extraordinary medical expenses incurred by the individual dog. Any expenses for transport of the dog will be billed to the adopter. Any special grooming or bathing or special medical procedures or tests requested by the adopter will also be billed to the adopter. We ask in our contract that basic health care will be given, special requirements for a particular dog may be asked for, and the dog must be returned to MABCR if the dog is given up for any reason.

MABCR has taken in dogs from as far away as South Carolina, has placed dogs as far away as Massachusetts, re-homed dogs as young as 2 months and as old as 8 years! And we have been very lucky, we are very good at making our 'matches' and have very few problems once the dogs are placed as we work very hard to ensure that the adopter have as much information as possible prior to adopting the dog. Because of our commitment to our dogs, we prefer to adopt with-in the geographical area which in we have volunteers, which currently includes the states of Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

Please remember that our organization is comprised solely of volunteers and as such we have other jobs, families and commitments. Please excuse us if we are tired or irritable and if we do not return your calls or mail immediately. Forgive us if we are only human and not quite as superior as our dogs!

If you have applied with another rescue organization, please let us know as that may help the process go more quickly!

All in all we will strive to make the process as painless as possible. If you have any questions or concerns please ask and we will do our best to answer!

You may reach us at e-mail: SLR@mabcr.org

Please complete the adoption application and copy and paste the completed application into the body of an e-mail to SLR@mabcr.org. The application is available in Microsoft Word format and a rich text format.