Adoption FAQs

I WOULD LIKE TO MEET A DOG ON YOUR WEBSITE. HOW DO I SET THAT UP?

Our dogs are available to meet at our adoption events. As fosters RSVP to events, we will update the dog’s profile to reflect those events. However, sometimes “life happens” and fosters are unable to make it, or unable to RSVP ahead of time. We recommend attending events and meeting our pets to find the right one to match your home and lifestyle.

If you are serious about an individual pet on our website, please read about our Adoption Process, and complete an application. Upon approval, a private meet and greet may be scheduled.

We do not schedule private meetings until you have applied and been approved to meet the individual pet.

HOW LONG IS MY APPLICATION VALID?

Applications for adult animals are considered current for 6 months. If you would like to be considered for a pet not already listed on your application, you may email us at: apps@underdogrescuemn.com.

Please see our Puppy Application Process for information on that.

WHAT DETERMINES YOUR ADOPTION FEES?

Underdog Rescue charges an adoption fee to adopt through our rescue. Our adoption fees are set based on the animals breed, age, and medical needs. All animals’ adoption fees will include age appropriate rabies and distemper vaccines, spay/neuter, dental if needed, microchip, de- worming, flea/tick preventative, heartworm test (for dogs/puppies over 6 months), feLeuk/FIV test for cats. Our fees also help to support our overall organization expenses such as the costs associated with food, medical care, transportation, insurance, and supplies for the animals in our care. Our fees help our rescue continue saving lives! Adoption fees are non-negotiable and can be paid in cash or by PayPal (plus a 2.2% PayPal fee). You do not need a PayPal account to by card. Adoption fees are to be paid in full at time of adoption. We do not offer payment plans. Adoption fees are only part of the expense of owning a pet, so we ask you to consider the costs for the life of the pet before adoption.

WHICH EVENTS WILL A CERTAIN PET BE ATTENDING?

Our fosters RSVP to attend adoption events as their schedules allow. We update the pet profile as we receive this information. However, “life happens” and sometimes volunteers must cancel or are unable to give advance notice when attending an event. The best way to meet a specific pet is to complete an adoption application.

I APPLIED FOR AN ADULT DOG, CAN I BE CONSIDERED FOR A PUPPY?

No. You will need to complete the puppy application and pay the application fee to be considered for a puppy.

However, puppy applicants may be considered for an adult dog, if it is determined within the application process that it would be a better match.

I LIVE OUTSIDE OF YOUR RADIUS, WILL YOU CONSIDER ME?

We know that loving homes are all over, including outside of the Twin Cities area. However, we do not make exceptions for our puppies. Adult dogs will be considered on a case by case basis. We cannot determine if we will make an exception unless you complete an application. Please know we do not ship dogs under any circumstance. If you are outside of our area and given an exception, you will have to travel to us to meet the dog and complete the adoption. This cost would be your responsibility and will not be discounted off of the adoption fee.

I HAVE A VACATION COMING UP, CAN I ADOPT NOW AND PICK UP LATER?

If you have a vacation coming up within the next month, please do not apply until after you return. We cannot hold pets in rescue. Additionally, new pets need time to adjust to their new homes, surroundings, people, and routine. So even if you were able to get a pet sitter or daycare arranged, it is not in the best interest of newly-adopted pets to add another dramatic change to their lives in such a short time span.

MY CURRENT PET IS NOT SPAYED/NEUTERED

We prefer to adopt to homes that share the same values as our mission. We find homes for the unwanted and neglected pets. Choosing not to alter your pets goes against this very mission. We do understand there are certain circumstances that people choose not to alter their pet. If your pet is not altered for a specific reason, you may specify that for consideration in your application. However, it is our preference that all pets in the home are altered.

I AM LOOKING FOR A SPECIFIC TRAIT IN A PET, CAN YOU JUST SEND ME A LIST OF ONES THAT MATCH?

Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to provide this service. We are a volunteer-based organization and need to utilize the time and efforts for those applicants who are ready to adopt a specific dog. We recommend keeping an eye on our website and attending adoption events. Then, after reading through all of our information, applying for the pet that fits your lifestyle.

I AM A PREVIOUS ADOPTER, DO I NEED TO REAPPLY?

Yes, we ask that everyone apply as circumstances can change. If you have adopted within the last 6 months, you may email us directly to check on your application status. Be sure to note on new applications that you have adopted from us before.

IS UNDERDOG RESCUE A NON-PROFIT?

Yes, we are a registered 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization. Click HERE for more info.

OK, I AM READY APPLY, WHERE ARE THE APPLICATIONS?

We're glad you're ready to get the process going! Click below for the appropriate application.

Can I stop by Underdog HQ to meet an animal?

All animals are being fostered at Foster Homes throughout the metro area. To meet an animal, the first step is to fill out an Adoption Application. Once that is received, we will set up a time to have a Meet & Greet.

I have an invisible fence, does that count as a fence for a dog?

It does not. The reason many of our animals require a fence is because they are flight risks or are new to many forms of training. A newly rescued dog may not be in a place to take on learning about invisible fences in addition to their other training needs.

I applied for an animal and was told there were applications ahead of me. What can I do now?

Sometimes, we receive multiple applications and can only pick one because there is only one of each animal. While we try to take the animals offsite before this happens, we are a volunteer run organization and it can happen that multiple applications are received. Your application will remain on file for 6 months so keep an eye on our website! Should you see another animal of interest that would require the same type of application, please email us back and ask us to update your application to the new animal. If the animal requires a different application, please submit a new application.

Can I meet multiple animals at a time?

No, we process one application per animal at a time. You can be sure that when you meet an animal that you are the only one meeting it. Should the animal you meet not be a fit, we can discuss next steps or possible better fits at that time. This is also the case should there be a litter of puppies/kittens. If you are unsure of what animal would be the best fit for you, please check out our Adoption Event Calendar to come meet a few!

Can you hold an animal for me while I meet one in another rescue?

No, we cannot hold animals at Underdog Rescue. Our goal is to find suitable forever homes for animals as quickly as possible. We require a decision to adopt within 24 hours after your Meet & Greet because we go one application per dog at a time. We do not allow multiple families to meet animals and if we need to move onto the next family, we need to know that within 24 hours. By holding animals, we would ultimately delay their adoption and opportunity to settle into a forever home.

Why do all your kittens require another cat?

A kitten learns a lot in the first several months of life from its mother and littermates. Separating a kitten from its mother is often a necessity for adoption purposes, but taking it away from its littermates and isolating it can delay the kitten’s development emotionally, socially, and sometimes physically. Kittens who are able to remain with one of their littermates or a similarly-aged companion tend to be healthier and happier, and in the long run, better socialized pets than those who are isolated from others of their kind at an early age.

What is the adoption timeline?

Our volunteer team is active during business hours: Monday – Friday from 9 am – 5pm. While our volunteer team can and will reply in the evenings and weekends, we ask that you understand that they are volunteering. Once an application is submitted, our team will be in touch within 2 busines days for adult animals and within 5 days for puppies or kittens – not including the day it was submitted. If you have not received an email response in that timeframe, please check your spam folder as many emails end up there. We respond to ALL emails. Our adoption process can be very quick if all goes well, so be ready to adopt when you submit the application! We cannot hold a dog in rescue and request our applicants be able to schedule their Virtual Meet and Greet within 5 days from first contact with our Adoption Coordinator. If all goes well, a Virtual Home Visit will be set up within 5 days. As next steps, an in person Meet & Greet will occur at our Headquarters in St. Louis Park, MN within 5 days. For most animals, the Meet & Greets and Adoptions can happen within days of initial contact, so only apply when you are ready to adopt, as we cannot hold dogs for vacations, moving, etc.

Why do you suggest obedience classes?

Obedience classes are strongly encouraged when adopting any canine from Underdog Rescue. Many of our dogs have a past life as a breeder or stray. Training classes teach them the ins and outs of being a pet while creating a bond with their new Adopter. A vast majority of dogs that do not have successful adoptions did not attend training classes. Even if you have attended a training class in the past with a previous dog, it is important for each individual dog to attend and learn. Obedience classes are key to creating a positive relationship with your pet while having it be a happy and successful member of society.

I would like to adopt 2 animals at once, can I do that?

Underdog Rescue feels strongly that adopting one animal at a time is best. Providing the first animal with a consistent routine, obedience, and getting them acclimated to your life is important prior to bringing home another animal. We recommend waiting six months in between adopting another animal. This will lead to less developed behavioral issues between one of them and will be easier on you to give your focus on one dog at time for training purposes. Underdog Rescue does not adopt out two puppies from the same litter into the same home. Littermates often develop “littermate syndrome” with unwanted habits and behaviors. While they may enjoy the company of each other, it is important for puppies to be separated so they can develop on their own and not rely on their littermates. Exceptions to this rule: kittens or bonded pairs.