Frequently Asked Questions About Adopting a Dog Through Black Horse Miniature Schnauzer Rescue

How does the adoption process work?

A person who wants to adopt thru BHMSR fills out an Adoption Application and carefully reviews BHMSR's Terms of Adoption. The application and a $5.00 non-refundable processing fee are then mailed to BHMSR. The paperwork is then processed and reviewed and you are contacted by one of BHMSR's Adoption Coordinators.

How soon can I expect to be contacted by the Adoption Coordinator?

You should be contacted within ten business days after mailing your application.

What happens then?

The Adoption Coordinator wants to find suitable homes for the dogs. Not every home is right for every dog. Your paperwork and the answers to the questions will be used to determine what dogs would be best suited and make the best pet for you. If there are no dogs available that would suit your situation, you will be placed on a waiting list.

Where do these dogs come from?

Some of these dogs are owner surrendered and some are rescued from area animal shelters. Owners surrender dogs for a variety of reasons and many have to do with a change in the owner's circumstances (ie. owner's death, living circumstances change, owner illness, etc...) and not with the dogs themselves. There are some occassions however in which the dog is surrendered because the dogs does not fit in with that particular home environment or the dog has a health issue the owner was unwilling or incapable of dealing with. Most of our dogs are placed in foster home while they await permanent homes. Here they are cared for and socialized and any brush up training they may need is handled.

What about shelter dogs?

If a dogs that matches your request is reported by a shelter, the Adoption Coordinator will refer you there. You would then have to be approved by the shelter, and would adopt the dog directly from them. Dogs in most shelters are kept for a very limited time. An adopter notified about a dog in a shelter should act promptly.

How long will I have to wait to adopt a dog?

In most cases it is impossible to tell. There may be 30 dogs available one year and 6 the next. And the more specific an adopter's requirements are, the longer it will take to find a dog to meet them. An adopter who wants a Black and Silver, female, miniature schnauzer under 1 year old will probaly have a much longer wait than another adopter who is willing to consider a dogs of any age, sex, and color. In general, adopter's should expect to spend some time working with the Adoption Coordinator to find the best dog for them, because after all the goal is to find a successful match.

What if I am refered to a dog, and I don't like it?

Adopters are under no obligation to accept any dog referred by BHMSR. If you do not feel a dog is right for you, notify the Adoption Coordinator. The coordinator will continue to refer you to likely prospects until the right match is found.

So, is the $5.00 processing fee all I have to pay?

The processing fee helps cover the immediate costs of handling your paperwork. However, if we are successful in helping find a dog for you, we ask that you make a further donation. The usual adoption donation is in the $50-$250 range. The Adoption Coordinator may discuss a more specific amount with you depending on the dog you adopt. Such donations are what BHMSR depends on to keep operating. The cost of rescuing these dogs far exceeds the donations recieved so without them we would be unable to rescue any more. All of our manpower is strictly volunteer as well as our foster parents and they recieve no compansation for the time they spend helping you find a dog.

That seems like it might be kind of expensive. What does the donation pay for?

Each dog is checked by a veterinarian, given all shots, spayed or neutered, and treated for any illnesses or medical problems that are found. In addition, the dogs that are rescued from shelters also have to be "bailed out" and the shelter's own adoption fee paid before we can take possession of the dog.

We look forward to helping you find your new dog!