The Adoption Process

If you are thinking about adopting a dog from R.A.D. here is some additional information about how our process works...

Step One -Talk with your Family
The first step is to discuss the potential adoption with your entire family. Make sure you are all really ready to get a dog – committed to the responsibility and hard work, excited about the new addition to your family, and dedicated to a lifetime of commitment – No Matter What!

Step Two - Educate yourself and your family
Research the breed(s) of dog you are interested in through written literature and/or online. There is a tremendous amount of information available on the Internet.  Make sure all of the positives and negatives are in line with your needs and wants. Be realistic with your expectations and be prepared to put forth a lot of time and effort if you desire to have a well-behaved canine member of your family. Discuss what kind of dog you are looking for.
ABOVE ALL, make sure this is the right decision for the entire family and that everyone within the family is equally education, interested and committed for a lifetime.

Step Three - Complete and submit our adoption application
Make sure you read over all of the questions thoroughly and answer them as honestly and detailed as possible. You can download our adoption application from this website, or you can call us at (608) 783-BARK or send us an e-mail at raddogs@radrescue.org requesting that one be sent out to you via US Mail.  R.A.D. reserves the right to deny any application.

Step Four - Be patient
Please understand that because R.A.D. is an all-volunteer organization, it may take some time to process your application.  All of our volunteers donate their time after working full time jobs.  We don't intend to inconvenience you.  We want you to understand that it can be traumatic for the dogs, our volunteers, and for you when adoptions don't work out and dogs need to be placed back into rescue.  Please be patient and understand that going through this process is really the best policy - for everyone.  After receiving your application a R.A.D. volunteer will be in contact with you via phone or email.

Step Five - Meet the dog
After approval of your adoption application a time will be scheduled for you to meet the dog.  In most cases you will be asked to come to the foster home or to an adoption event.  In some cases a home visit may be required.

Step Six - Make sure your home is ready for a new family member
After you have found your perfect dog (or maybe the perfect dog found you), make sure that you have everything you need when you bring the dog home! Did you already buy quality food and water bowls? Did you make sure you bought the same dog food that the foster home was feeding, knowing that switching a dog's food too quickly can cause lots of tummy troubles (namely diarrhea)? Did you get any toys, maybe chew toys or tennis balls for the dog to chase? Do you have a brush, nail clippers or other grooming materials that are needed?  Do you have a crate for your dog and/or a doggie bed? Do you have a leash and a collar? *Have you thought about providing the proper ID for your dog? 
*Making sure your dog is properly identified at all times is crucial so that he/she is never lost or stolen. Always make sure that you have a collar with an ID tag, local license registration, and a rabies tag properly attached. However, realize if your dog is lost or stolen that a collar is the first thing to come off. To ensure your dog has permanent identification, microchipping  is recommended.

Step Seven - Sign adoption contract and pay adoption fee
You will be asked to sign an adoption contract and pay an adoption fee.  This fee covers spaying/neutering, veterinary care, deworming and vaccinations. 

Once you have adopted a dog from R.A.D. please make sure you keep us informed of your current address and phone number. In the event that your new family member should wander away from home, we need a way to contact you and get the dog safely back to you.  Also, we love to receive pictures, letters and emails about the dogs we have helped through our program!