Our Adoption Process
Our Adoption Process
Our adoption process was designed to ensure we find the best possible match for both our Mutts and potential adopters. Each step is an important and necessary part of the process. If you have any questions about our adoption process or adoption fee schedule, please reach out to a Mutt Scouts Ambassador at adopt@muttscouts.org.
Adoption fees
The adoption fee in Southern California is $450 for adult dogs, and $500 for dogs under one year of age. Due to the cost of transportation, the adoption fee on the East Coast for adult dogs is $550, and $600 for puppies. Adoption fees may vary in special circumstances. The adoption fee covers the cost of vetting our Mutt’s in preparation for entering their adoptive homes. In some instances our adoption fees may be higher due to varying levels of care needed or other unexpected circumstances. For unaltered puppies, there is an additional $50 spay and neuter deposit. The deposit for unaltered puppies will be returned to adopters after proof of spay or neuter has been presented to our team. A spay/neuter addendum to the adoption contract is required with all unaltered puppy adoptions. Please kindly note that for the adoption of puppies under six months of age, the adopter is responsible for the cost of altering their puppy when they reach six months of age.
Upon adoption, all of our Mutts are up to date on their shots and vaccinations, microchipped, and spayed or neutered if of age. Adopters will be presented with the paperwork regarding their new Mutt’s medical history along with the adoption contract.
Our Mutts are vetted by our trusted veterinarians, and all medical conditions known to us will be discussed with potential adopters prior to the presentation of the adoption contract.
Step One
The first step in the process is our adoption application. Please submit your answers thoughtfully, the more we know about you, the better we are able to match you with one of our Mutts. We often receive multiple applications for our Mutts, please allow 48 hours for us to review your application before following up with our team. We are a very small team, and we put lots of care into deciding if an adopter is the right fit for our one of our Mutts.
STEP TWO
Following the review and approval of your adoption application, a homecheck by a Mutt Scouts Ambassador is required before you are able to welcome one of our mutts into your home. The completion of a homecheck prior to meeting one of our Mutts is preferred. After the homecheck has been conducted, your Mutt Scouts Ambassador will then schedule a meeting between you and the Mutt’s foster, and one of our team members. Please kindly note that if you meet one of our Mutts an adoption event, an application and homecheck are required prior to taking a Mutt home from the event.
STEP THREE
The final step in our adoption process is the completion of the adoption contract, submission of adoption fee, spay/neuter addendum and deposit (if applicable). An adoption will not be finalized until all of the steps above have been executed and approved by a Mutt Scouts Ambassador. The paperwork regarding your new Mutt’s medical history will be presented to you alongside the adoption contract.
A NOTE TO ALL OF OUR APPLICANTS
We are an entirely volunteer based organization. We do our best to respond to all inquiries in a timely manner. Adherence to the process detailed above ensures that we are able to get back to every applicant as promptly as possible. Thank you for choosing to rescue. We look forward to welcoming you into our Mutt Scouts Family!
Why Adopt From Mutt Scouts?
When you adopt a Mutt Scouts Mutt, you become a part of our diverse and welcoming community, and can trust that our team will be there to support you along the way. Prior to becoming available for adoption, each Mutt is spayed or neutered if of age*, vaccinated and microchipped, thoroughly checked by a trusted veterinarian, and receive additional medical care when needed. Mutts are then placed into one of our loving and experienced foster homes, where they have time to adjust and become socialized.
Through foster care, we are able to rehabilitate our Mutts as needed while acquiring a true assessment of their temperament and personality. During the fostering process, our ability to select the most appropriate home is maximized, and we pride ourselves on transparency and honesty. Our wonderful fosters are happy to answer any questions you might have about a dog, before and after adoption.
*Unaltered puppies require an extra deposit and must be altered by the adopter’s vet by six months of age. Adopters of unaltered puppies will be responsible for the cost of their new Mutt’s spay or neuter.