Of course! the first step is to fill out an application to adopt here. It's free to fill out and it's not a contract to adopt. Once you're approved, you'll receive a link to schedule your meet and greet and contact information for the dog's foster parent so that you can ask any questions you might have. By having your approved application on file first, we ensure that your dog and his foster are available and prepared to meet with you, and that if you hit it off, you can bring your new baby home the same day.
Because you focus on rehab cases, are your dogs disabled/special needs?
Every dog is different, but actually most of our dogs have no ongoing problems! The reason we chose to focus on dogs who are not immediately adoptable is that many of these dogs become adoptable with just a tiny bit of work. Any dogs who do have special needs will have their needs clearly articulated in their description.
Is this puppy hypoallergenic? Does this puppy shed? Do you promise that this puppy won't grow bigger than x lbs?
No, yes, and no. All of our dogs are true rescues, which means they come out of neglectful, abusive, or abandonment situations. We may or may not know their parentage, we may or may not know where they came from, and the breeds in the description are most likely just a guess. We work with a lot of dogs and we make educated guesses on things like size and future temperament, but we aren't doing DNA testing and at the end of the day, these are living animals with their own lives, stories, and free will. We can't control them completely and we wouldn't want to!
How accurate are your breed determinations?
Short answer: not very. We work with a lot of dogs and we make our best guess about breeds based on what each dog looks like and any information we have on its parents (if any), but we're only human! Within one litter, puppies might have different fathers. They may have a mother who looks like a pure Australian shepherd and puppies who all look like pure bulldogs. One study found that veterinarians, rescue workers, and breeders who were asked to guess the lineage of mutts were completely wrong 60% of the time! We'll do our best to guess for you (keeping in mind that adoption websites only give you space for two breed determinations and that the list on each website is different), but these are rescues. If you must have a specific breed, go to a breed specific rescue or a reputable breeder.
My sister/friend/neighbor/coworker has a (insert breed here) and that dog is amazing! I want one just like that so I need that breed.
We're so glad you like your friend's dog, but that's no guarantee that another dog of the same breed would be anything like him. Studies have shown that while breed has some impact on a dog's tendencies and personality, nurture (how your dog was raised) plays a much bigger role. In addition, people are not good at guessing breeds (see the question above), so unless your friend's dog has a pedigree from a breeder, there is no guarantee that it's actually the breed she thinks it is, and there is definitely no guarantee with any of the dogs you see here. If you want a specific breed, go to a reputable dealer or a breed specific rescue. If you're looking for a great dog, talk to us! Our fosters know their dogs and we can probably point you towards a good fit.
My local shelter's adoption fees are much lower than yours. Why are your fees so high?
For a couple of reasons! First of all, your local shelter is probably receiving funding either from a government entity or from various grants. We're a new rescue (est. 2017) so we're running on adoption fees only for now. The other reason is that our mission is to work with dogs who are not immediately adoptable. Not immediately adoptable means more time in the rescue, more veterinary care, and more resources, or in other words, more money. You're paying for veterinary care, food, equipment, cleaning supplies, and the other associated costs of keeping these pups happy and healthy.
The Adoption Process
I'm really interested in one of your animals! How do I know if he or she is still available/that the information is up to date?
Generally, if the animal is still on our website, it's still available. We're very careful to keep our photographs and information up to date, so you can be sure that whatever you see on this website is accurate. If you do apply to adopt an animal who gets adopted, we'll get in touch with you right away and try to offer suggestions for someone else who might fit your needs and wants.
Okay, I want to adopt. What do I do?
Wonderful! We're thrilled you chose to rescue your newest family member. Go to the Adoption Applications page for detailed information on our adoption process.
I think I want to adopt, but I'd really like to meet the pet first. Is there a way to come see him/her?
Absolutely! You're welcome to visit us at the Adoption Center inside Rutherford Pet Supply any time the store is open, 9-7 Monday-Saturday, 1-5 Sunday, but best practice is to fill out an application first. You'll be able to make an official meet and greet appointment, ensuring that the pup you want to meet and a Lee Shore representative will both be available to meet with you. It also allows you to bring your dog home the same day if you do hit it off.
I filled out an application. Did you get it?
Don't worry! If you filled out the form on our application page, we received it. You will receive an email letting you know when we start to process it, and after that it should be a couple of business days depending on how quickly we can get in touch with your references.
How can I be sure my application will be approved?
While there is no way to guarantee an approval, there are a few things you can do to help it along. The most important of these is to make sure that you provide a good vet reference if you have current pets, or have within the past two years. The vet should know you and have record of your pets' vaccinations and sterilizations. If you recently moved, let us know in your application, provide the information for the vet at your old home who knows you, and let us know what your plan is for your new pet's veterinary care. The other most important part is your personal references. Make sure your contact information is up to date and that your references know to expect our call. Your references should not be related to you or employed by you. This is especially important if you don't have a vet reference because you haven't had pets in a while. *Note: If you are under 25, please include the number of a parent or other trusted adult over 25 who knows you well. This person will be required to cosign your adoption agreement, ensuring that your new pet is cared for in the event of a big vet bill or unexpected move.*
What if there is more than one application for the pet I want?
In the case of more than one application (this is especially common with popular breeds and young puppies), we process and approve the applications in the order they are received. If you are approved and we don't hear from you with other applicants waiting in line, we reserve the right to move on.
How big will this puppy get?
Unfortunately, there's no way to know for certain. We take our best guess at a broad category, but we're sometimes wrong. Even with purebred dogs, there is a range of normal, and with rescue, we have no way to know about the pet's complete lineage. The rule of thumb is that the puppy will double in size from his/her size at four months, but this is not infallible, and obviously not very useful for an eight week old puppy.
Can I adopt two puppies?
We don't allow simultaneous adoptions because of something called littermate syndrome. This is essentially a situation in which two puppies become codependent on one another and are less able to bond with humans and absorb their training. If you want a pair of dogs to be one another's companions, we recommend adopting one puppy now, and another in six months to a year.
After You've Adopted a Pet
How does the spay/neuter rebate work?
If you choose to have your pet altered with your personal vet, all you need to do to receive a rebate from us is provide an image of the certificate of spay/neuter. Send us an email at contact@leeshorerescue.com with the subject line: SPAY/NEUTER REBATE. Include a copy of the certificate and your contact information. We use PayPal to deliver the rebate. We'll send you a rebate of up to $50 of your costs.
Can you have my pet spayed/neutered for me?
Sure! If you're local and prefer to allow us to arrange the surgery, we're happy to do so. We have an ongoing arrangement with a local clinic. Once or twice a month, we send pets on a transport van to this clinic for spay/neuter. Your pet will need to be dropped off on a scheduled Tuesday, at 7:30 AM at the Spindale, North Carolina Tractor Supply store, where they will get on a transport van to a clinic in Asheville. You'll pick up your pet the next day at the drop off location. Pick up times vary a bit, usually from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Spay/neuter at this clinic also includes a rabies vaccine. If drop off/pick timing is a problem, talk to us, we may be able to help. If you use this program, we will pay the cost of surgery and the rabies vaccine.
Will you cover my pet's vaccinations as well?
Animals in our care receive any necessary veterinary care, including shots. Once they go to their forever homes, their ongoing veterinary care is the adopter's responsibility, with the exception of the $50 spay/neuter rebate.
Will I get my pet's vet records?
Yes. Whether you pick up or your pet is delivered via transport, you will receive your pet's veterinary record, a blanket that your pet is used to, and a couple of gallons of the food your pet is used to eating.
What should I feed my new pet?
That's up to you. We use donated food, and it's mixed brands so you can't reproduce it. We recommend choosing the highest quality food you can comfortably afford, but don't feel like you have to bankrupt yourself! You can compare brands at dogfoodadvisor.com. In general, when you read the ingredients on your pet's food, if the first few ingredients sound like real foods you would feel comfortable eating yourself, it's probably fine. When your pet comes home with you, you'll receive a couple of gallons of food, which you can mix with your chosen brand over the next couple of weeks to help your new pet become adjusted to the new brand.
Help! I have to move and I need a place that will take my pets!
Apartment Guide has reached out to us to let us know that they would like to be available as a pet friendly housing resource. Use their search with the Pet Friendly filter on, and you'll be able to see rentals that will be safe and friendly for your whole family.
Getting Involved
I'd like to donate.
Thank you! Follow the link below to use PayPal or send checks to Lee Shore Rescue, c/o Rutherford Pet Supply, 115 Reservation Drive, Spindale, NC 28160. Checks can be made out to Lee Shore Rescue, Inc.
Unfortunately, we don't have any paid positions available right now. We are a new rescue who does not receive funding from any public institutions and we rely on adoption fees to keep us running. But if you'd like to volunteer, we'd love to have you!