What kinds of dogs does Family Dog rescue?
We rescue great dogs of all breeds, sizes and personalities. While most of our dogs are good old adult mutts, we often have purebreds and puppies available too. We encourage you to pick your new family member based on its individual personality, not breed-specific characteristics which often aren’t true.
We evaluate our dogs for good health and behavior. We hope to match you with a dog that fits your lifestyle. Unlike many larger organizations, we work with our dogs on a daily basis and really get to know them.
Why do we rescue dogs with special needs (blind, deaf, disabled, shy, etc)?
At Family Dog, we make a conscious effort to help the underdogs that otherwise don’t have a good chance of making it out of the shelter system. Many people think training blind or deaf dogs is more difficult, but in reality it is just different!
We can point adopters to great behavior and training resources, and are happy to work with first time special-needs adopters. We know blind and deaf dogs make wonderful companions and hope you can open your heart to one of our special needs residents.
We also have a program called Loup Garou, where we take black dogs that are overlooked at crowded shelters. Black dogs look “boring” to some people, so they are last to get adopted. We have made the decision to help these marginalized dogs and to educate people of their plight.
Where do Family Dogs come from?
Many of our dogs come from overcrowded California shelters where they have run out of time or are in need of extra medical or behavioral care. We also rescue dogs from Guatemala, Mexico, Burma, Kauai and Korea, where shelters are few, street dogs are common, and adoption opportunities are scarce.
It is an unfortunate misconception that shelter dogs are “broken” or that there is something wrong with them. On the contrary, our dogs are some of the most loving and grateful animals you will ever come across!
What’s included with a Family Dog adoption?
Every adoption comes with a “match-making” appointment where we help you decide if the dog would be a good fit for you and your family. We include advice on training your new companion and tips to make their transition into your life as smooth as possible.
Unlike many rescues, we are happy to work with first time pet owners, families with young children, and elderly and/or disabled individuals. We believe there is a great match for anyone who wants to care for and love a dog!
Our dogs are temperament tested, are up-to-date on vaccinations, and are spayed/neutered as part of the adoption process. We offer training and behavior guidance for the lifetime of your pet and are always here if you have any questions or concerns.
We also include plenty of perks from dog walkers, trainers and groomers on our resources page!
How much are your adoption fees?
Unlike municipal shelters that receive government funding, our operating costs must be covered by adoption donations. We ask $495 for adult dogs, $650 for puppies, and $600 or more for any rare or northern breed dog. Your donation is fully tax-deductible and helps offset our veterinary costs, feeding, shelter maintenance and adoption program.
We couldn’t save over 1,000 dogs every year without your generosity!
Double your donation if the company you work for offers a matching gift program!
How do I adopt a Family Dog?
Please fill out an adoption application so we can get to know you and your needs. Please wait until you get a confirmation email before emailing us with follow-up questions. We receive hundreds of emails per day and have a small staff who work in Adoptions. Our adoption appointments typically last an hour and you can meet up to three dogs. If you find a good fit, you’ll take your pup home!
Our staff is here to support you, and we love receiving updates on the new lives of our dogs!
You can also meet some of our dogs, as well as our friendly volunteers, at one of our weekly adoption events. Please email us anytime if you have any questions. We look forward to working with you!