Adoption Process, Guidelines and Adoption Fee Information
Please keep in mind our ONLY goal is to place our rescue furbabies in SAFE and loving "forever" homes. If you
are in hurry, please slow down! This is a lifetime decision and should not be made in haste. Our adoption
process takes time and does not happen the same day and in most cases the same week.
When adopting a furbaby through our organization please expect to develop a long term relationship. We have
email support groups for our new parents and follow up frequently to ensure the happiness of our furbabies. Most
of our adoptive parents are very active in our rescue efforts, as well. Southern Shih Tzu & Toy Breed Rescue
requires an adoption contract be signed, which allows us to follow up any time, including a follow up home visit.
Also... if your idea is to adopt a rescue dog, because you don't want to pay a full price, please stop
here!! Because that is not what rescue is all about. Rescue is about giving a dog a second chance, who
otherwise would not get one.
Rescue dogs may or may not have "issues" to work through. (you will be advised of any "issues" prior to
adoption). They are often very scared and unsure of where they belong. However, rescue dogs have plenty of
love, affection and gratitude to give back. And by adopting, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you
saved a LIFE.
Completing the adoption application is a prerequisite to adopting a furbaby through SSTR.
YES - we do Out-of-State adoptions. New Parents are personally responsible for picking up their new
furbaby.
Adoption Guidelines: (not all inclusive)
We normally do NOT adopt to homes with children under the age of ten (10)! Toy breeds dogs are NOT
suited to small and/or young children. No matter how well-meaning the child, children cannot help being too
"active" for toy breeds. And that a child ”meant well”, is little solace to a toy breed dog, who has been
accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. A dog may feel that it needs to
"protect" itself and respond by growling and eventually snapping/nipping/biting. We are not willing to put our
furbabies or your child at risk. These are rescue dogs, they have already been through so much! We do not
have children to TEST our dogs on, so we can't honestly tell you IF they are good with children. Day in and day
out with children is much different than children visiting-
This is NOT a first-come, first-served process or a "Cash and Carry" rescue. All applicants are screened
and approved on the needs of our furbabies. We place them in the “Best” home, based on THEIR needs and
personality. Please note, you will be contacted IF you meet the specific needs of the furbaby, for which you have
applied, and if you are the best fit for their personality and needs.
Our "Adoption Fee" ranges from $150 - $300, and is NON-negotiable. This fee is an "attempt" to recover vet
fees and basic care cost for all our dogs. All furbabies have received the following vet care: Exam, ALL
vaccinations (age and health appropriate), Heartworm Test, Dewormed, Spayed/neutered (age appropriate) and is
currently on Heartworm/Flea Preventative. We also address any other medical issues, based on vet
recommendation; geriatric bloodwork, dental work, heartworm treatment, liver shunt surgery, hip surgery, eye
surgery, etc...)
Again, SSTR is NOT funded by city, county or state funding. We are funded by adoption fees and
donations alone. And, I'm sure if you are adopting a rescue furbaby, you would only want to help
SAVE another LIFE by supporting our rescue efforts.
The application process includes: (Our adoption process can take up to 2 weeks to complete)
dog. Our Process and Policies are NOT all inclusive.
are in hurry, please slow down! This is a lifetime decision and should not be made in haste. Our adoption
process takes time and does not happen the same day and in most cases the same week.
When adopting a furbaby through our organization please expect to develop a long term relationship. We have
email support groups for our new parents and follow up frequently to ensure the happiness of our furbabies. Most
of our adoptive parents are very active in our rescue efforts, as well. Southern Shih Tzu & Toy Breed Rescue
requires an adoption contract be signed, which allows us to follow up any time, including a follow up home visit.
Also... if your idea is to adopt a rescue dog, because you don't want to pay a full price, please stop
here!! Because that is not what rescue is all about. Rescue is about giving a dog a second chance, who
otherwise would not get one.
Rescue dogs may or may not have "issues" to work through. (you will be advised of any "issues" prior to
adoption). They are often very scared and unsure of where they belong. However, rescue dogs have plenty of
love, affection and gratitude to give back. And by adopting, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you
saved a LIFE.
Completing the adoption application is a prerequisite to adopting a furbaby through SSTR.
YES - we do Out-of-State adoptions. New Parents are personally responsible for picking up their new
furbaby.
Adoption Guidelines: (not all inclusive)
- The person submitting the application, MUST be the person who is actually adopting.
- Applicant must be over 24 yrs of age.
- The applicant must be willing to undergo reference checks and home visit.
- All current pets must be spayed/neutered and up to date on shots.
- ALL pets must reside INSIDE your home.
- A fence yard is required for MOST adoptions, however this is not always a requirement. It depends on the dogs
needs. BUT, 99.9% of the time you will need a fenced yard. - Prefer applicant to own home, due to leasing/renting complications.
- Must have current or previous pet ownership, in order to verify vet history and pet ownership.
We normally do NOT adopt to homes with children under the age of ten (10)! Toy breeds dogs are NOT
suited to small and/or young children. No matter how well-meaning the child, children cannot help being too
"active" for toy breeds. And that a child ”meant well”, is little solace to a toy breed dog, who has been
accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. A dog may feel that it needs to
"protect" itself and respond by growling and eventually snapping/nipping/biting. We are not willing to put our
furbabies or your child at risk. These are rescue dogs, they have already been through so much! We do not
have children to TEST our dogs on, so we can't honestly tell you IF they are good with children. Day in and day
out with children is much different than children visiting-
This is NOT a first-come, first-served process or a "Cash and Carry" rescue. All applicants are screened
and approved on the needs of our furbabies. We place them in the “Best” home, based on THEIR needs and
personality. Please note, you will be contacted IF you meet the specific needs of the furbaby, for which you have
applied, and if you are the best fit for their personality and needs.
Our "Adoption Fee" ranges from $150 - $300, and is NON-negotiable. This fee is an "attempt" to recover vet
fees and basic care cost for all our dogs. All furbabies have received the following vet care: Exam, ALL
vaccinations (age and health appropriate), Heartworm Test, Dewormed, Spayed/neutered (age appropriate) and is
currently on Heartworm/Flea Preventative. We also address any other medical issues, based on vet
recommendation; geriatric bloodwork, dental work, heartworm treatment, liver shunt surgery, hip surgery, eye
surgery, etc...)
Again, SSTR is NOT funded by city, county or state funding. We are funded by adoption fees and
donations alone. And, I'm sure if you are adopting a rescue furbaby, you would only want to help
SAVE another LIFE by supporting our rescue efforts.
The application process includes: (Our adoption process can take up to 2 weeks to complete)
- FIRST STEP - Submit an On-line Application
- "Qualified" Applicants will receive a call from our Application Coordinator
- Reference check – "Vet" reference required
- A HOME VISIT........ THIS IS A MUST!!!! SSTR will locate a volunteer in your area.
- Sign Adoption Contract
- Submit required Adoption Fee
- Travel Arrangements - New Parents must make travel arrangements. WE DO NOT SHIP!
*** INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED! ***
dog. Our Process and Policies are NOT all inclusive.
| Click HERE to view our Adoption Contract (subject to change without notice) |
SSTR is NOT a SHELTER! Our dogs are located in several different Foster Homes in central Alabama. We do NOT
have paid employees, who are available to immediately respond to your inquires. We are NOT funded by city,
county or state funds. We do NOT have a "location" for you to visit dogs in person. If you are a qualified applicant
we can make visiting arrangements, IF YOU are willing to drive to the foster area, normally in central Alabama.
have paid employees, who are available to immediately respond to your inquires. We are NOT funded by city,
county or state funds. We do NOT have a "location" for you to visit dogs in person. If you are a qualified applicant
we can make visiting arrangements, IF YOU are willing to drive to the foster area, normally in central Alabama.
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Southern Shih Tzu & Toy Breed Rescue and Sanctuary |
| SSTR is a 501c 3 Non-Profit charity organization, dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, rehoming and providing sanctuary care for abandoned, abused and homeless toy breeds. |
