Am I ready to Adopt?

Choosing to add a pet to your household takes careful research and planning. A pet requires more than  adequate food, water and shelter. This is an important decision so take your time before deciding to bring a cat, dog or any small animal into your home. 

Having a pet is a long term commitment.

Your pet will be with you for many years, so you must think carefully and seriously before choosing to become a pet owner. Pets bond deeply with their humans and will quickly become a member of your family. Adopting means making a life-long commitment which may last 10-15 years for a dog and perhaps 15-20 years for a cat. Some birds and reptiles have even longer lifespans!

Caring for this animal must remain a priority even when your life changes. Consider your pet(s) when you redecorate your home, take a new job, move to a different city or decide on changing your family status.

Pets depend on you to look after their health and safety. Proper veterinary care, healthy food and fresh water, toys and other items are needed for their comfort and welfare.

I’m ready to start the process!

Want to find out more about adopting?

YOU ARE HERE

STEP 1: Understand the responsibility

Make sure you understand how adopting a pet will impact your life.

STEP 2: Apply to Adopt

STEP 3: Take them home

Once we agree you’ve found your new pet, pay your adoption fee, and take them home!

STEP 4: Love them forever!

We have some great resources to help smooth the transition, and keep your pup happy and healthy!

Need a place to Stay? Saving Grace Cottage is nearby!

Are you ready for a dog?

When considering adding a pet – especially a dog – to your home, there are some commitments and sacrifices you need to be willing to make, including but not limited to:

  • Taking your dog for a walk at least twice a day for 30 minutes.
  • Going for walks even when it is raining.
  • Going for walks even when you really don’t feel like it.
  • Cleaning up after your new pet in your home.
  • Engaging in stimulating activities with your dog – giving attention, throwing balls, belly rubs, walks, etc.
  • Coordinating pet care when you travel.
  • Taking financial responsibility for regular vet checks, emergency vet visits, preventatives, food, beds, bowls, leashes and other supplies.
  • Making a 10-12 year commitment depending on breed and age of dog at adoption.
  • Making a commitment to training and meeting your dogs needs.

Special Considerations for Shelter Dogs

Shelter dogs are special creatures – they may have come from a very difficult situation and need lots of love and patience.

  • Most come in as strays, so we do not know anything about their background. In addition, they may:
    • Have never walked on or seen a leash.
    • Have never spent time in a crate.
    • Have never had a regular meal.
    • Have never had to potty outside or learn where to potty.
    • Have never had a dog bed or the safety of a home.
    • Have never had consistent human interaction.
  • For many, they are learning or relearning everything
  • They need consistency, routine, training, grace and lots of love.

There is no crate-trained, potty-trained, walk on leash-trained, house-trained shelter dog. You will have to invest time and energy toward creating positive routines and consistent expectations.

In addition to being shelter dogs, many of our dogs have additional needs:

Puppies

Puppies are cute, but can be noisy, messy, and a bit destructive until they get some training and grow up a bit. Are you and your family up for this kind of challenge?

Older Dogs

A dog who is beyond its puppy phase can be a great option for many situations. Most have outgrown their pupy habits and ay already be housebroken and mostly adjusted to people and home life.

Heartworm-Positive Dogs

Many dogs that come to Saving Grace have heartworms. After Saving Grace's heartworm regimen, these dogs make great, healthy pets!

Dogs with Physical Challenges

A dog may have an injury or medical condition that can be treated or repaired.

I think I'm ready - let me start the process

Return policy

We understand sometimes an adoption doesn't work out and we will take back our adopted dogs. We are here to support you in this process and need you to partner with us and begin communicating early if there are any concerns. Each return is handled on a case-by-case basis. The more information you can provide for us, the better decisions we can make about his/her viability within our program.

Please follow these steps:

  • Begin email communications with the Adoptions team as soon as possible. (Adoptions@savinggracenc.org)
  • Request and receive a scheduled, confirmed appointment to return your dog.
  • Complete a relinquish form and bring with you:
    • the original medical sheet
    • adoption packet including rabies vaccination certificates and tags and microchip information
    • UPDATED medical record information from your vet
  • Remember- a partial refund of your adoption fee in the amount of $295 is offered within 7 days.

Please note: While we accept our adopted dogs back, we will not knowingly place aggressive animals into another home. In these instances the dog will be fully evaluated and observed once returned before acclimating back into our program.

FAQs to Consider Before Adopting

Meet Our Dogs!

These are some of our dogs currently available at Saving Grace in Wake Forest, NC. They are just waiting for you to give them the wonderful home they deserve. Click on their picture to learn more about each one.

Don’t see exactly what your looking for? New dogs are arriving at the farm everyday. It can take several days for their profiles to be completed and added to our site.

    This page is powered by Shelterluv. Learn more www.shelterluv.com


    Host a Dog Sleepover

    Step 1 What is a Sleepover?

    Find out more about our Sleepover program.

    Step 2 Pick a Date

    Sign up for each time you'd like to have a Sleepover guest.

    Step 3 Pick them up

    Pick up your sleepover guest, and find fun things to do!

    Step 4 Bring them back

    It is tough to let them go, but maybe they'll become a permanent member of your home!

    Foster a Dog

    Step 1 Understand what it takes

    Fostering isn't for everyone. Could it be a good fit for you?

    Step 2
    Apply to become a foster

    Show your interest and let us get the process started

    Step 3 Attend a Foster Orientation

    Pick a session from the calendar to find out more about the program.

    Step 4
    Accept an Assignment

    Taking them home is just the beginning. Your pup will need lots of patience and TLC!

    Adopt from Saving Grace

    Happy Tails

    Stories shared by happy adopters

    Step 1 Understand the responsibility

    Make sure you understand how adopting a new pet will impact your life.

    Step 2
    Apply to adopt

    Start the formal process that will get you an appointment to meet available dogs.

    Step 3 Take them home

    Once we all agree you've found your new pet, pay the adoption fee and take them home (after stopping at the Supply Co)!

    Step 4
    Love them!

    Taking them home is just the beginning. Your pup will need lots of patience and TLC!

    About Saving Grace

    Meet Molly Goldston Founder of Saving Grace

    Saving Grace Cottage A great place to stay!

    Our Pack

    Spay/Neuter Clinic

    Saving Grace Wake Forest

    aka "The Funny Farm" 
    13400 Old Creedmoor Rd,
    Wake Forest, NC 27587, USA

    Saving Grace Wake Forest

    13400 Old Creedmoor Rd
    Wake Forest, NC 27587, USA

    Volunteer for Saving Grace

    Step 1 Explore our volunteer options

    Step 4 Attend a mentor session

    Step 2 Fill out the application form

    Step 5 Sign up for shifts/tasks

    Step 3 Attend volunteer orientation

    Step 6 Keep coming back!

    We Need Fosters!

    Not all our dogs are ready to stay at the Funny Farm - our Fosters help get them ready for adoption!

    Host a Dog for a weekend

    Will you take a deserving dog for the weekend to give them a break from the Funny Farm?

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    Donate Supplies

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    Shop the Supply Co.

    Other ways to give:

    Saving Grace Supply Company

    Monday - Friday: 12pm - 7pm
    Saturday: 12pm - 2pm
    Sunday: Closed

    4016 Durham Rd Raleigh, NC 27614

    Saving Grace Supply Company

    Get the basics to help you make your new adoptee feel at home!

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