A: You must meet our requirements, and follow our adoption procedures. Complete info about this is on our adoption info page on the website. The first step is submitting a complete adoption application.
Q: Do you only adopt to experienced dane owners?
A: It's always nice to have adoptors who are familiar with the breed, but we also value people who are committed to the dog and are willing to learn. So, if you are new to the breed, don't assume we won't consider your application.
Q: I'm not sure a dane is for me, how can I find out?
A: There is a list on the adoption info page of available resources. It's important to be familiar with breed characteristics, common health problems, etc. In addition we suggest you contact us to arrange to visit with some examples of the breed. It's helpful to have a volunteer's dane visit you during your homecheck to see what it's like to have a dog the size of a person in your house.
Q: In my house? But I don't want a dane in my house!
A: Then a dane is not a good choice for you. If you think danes are too big to be in the house, then you need to choose a smaller breed. If you think all dogs should be kept outside, then you should go buy a lawn statue instead of any live dog (of any breed).
Our dogs are in our houses and on our beds/couches/furniture. They are our companions, and are integral parts of our families. We are committed to our dogs for their lifetimes. We expect the same of families who adopt from us. And we follow up after the adoption- to be sure you're happy with your new dog, that the dog isz happy with you, and that the minimum standards of care you agreed to are followed. We are responsible for the welfare of the dogs in our care and we take that responsibility very seriously. We are under no obligation to adopt to any home which we don't approve, and homes are approved/or refused based on the information you provide us. If you were refused a dog and this has upset or insulted you we are sorry, but to be frank your feelings are really not our concern. We only refuse dogs to homes we feel are completely unacceptable or inappropriate.
Q: Why are there so many personal questions on the application, and who has access to that information??
A: The questions we ask you help us determine if you'll be a responsible & committed home. They also help us determine what kind of dane will be a good match for you, based on your family size, other pets, and previous experience with dogs/danes.
Your application is reviewed by the volunteer who receives it and the director. If you are approved for adoption your application goes in your file with our copy of the adoption contract. If not, it normally goes in the shredder.
Q: Where do these dogs come from?
A: The danes in our program come from shelters, owners who can no longer keep them, and sometimes literally off the streets. Sometimes we have some background information, sometimes all we know is what we learn about them while they are in our care. We do our best to share with you everything we find out, so that you & your new companion have the best chance at a successful placement.
Q: Are all the dogs in your program "purebred"?
A: Since we did not create the dogs we rescue, most come from poor/unethical breeding, and even pedigrees & registrations can be fraudulent, we make no guarantees that dogs we adopt out are "purebred." However, at this time we are taking only dogs we believe to be purebred great danes. Our definition of purebred is a dog who looks & acts enough like what is typical for the breed to be classified as a great dane. Normally a dog is evaluated by someone who has some knowledge of the breed before we agree to take the dog.
While at one time we were willing to take in mixes, at this time we are not able to take anymore, and our intake will be limited to dogs who have been declared purebred great danes by someone who has experience with the breed, or one of our representatives. Our reason for this is very simple- few people who come to the great dane rescue are willing to take a mixed breed (most people who take the time to find the Great Dane Rescue are looking for something specific), and we feel that these animals have a better chance of being adopted if they go to an all breed rescue organization. We have several mixes available, as you'll see on the available dogs pages, who we have had for quite some time. Our costs are normally the same or higher for great dane mixes than they are for "purebred" great danes. This is primarily because of the time it takes to get them adopted out- if a dog is in the rescue system 2 years it will cost much more than a dog who is with us 2 months. Because of this, we are now offering the mixes currently in our care at a reduced adoption fee (100.00) to give them a chance at a permanent home. In the future, mixed breeds will referred to an all breed rescue organization or listed on our website as a referral service only.
Q: I really want a dog who looks like the ones on the GDCA website, why don't yours look like them?
A: While most of our dogs clearly look like great danes, these ARE rescues. By definition, these dogs are going to pale in comparison to dogs who have be lovingly and carefully bred by a conscientious breeder. And, sometimes they have some problems, like health problems, behavioral problems, etc. That just goes along with being a rescue. It's not their fault, and each and every dog we rescue deserves love, kindess, and companionship- a real, permanent home of their own- whether they look like the danes you see at dog shows or not. Ocasionally we get dogs who are beautiful & have no "baggage", but more often than not they are just wonderful dogs who could use a couch to lay on. They often have many virtues- some go on to compete in dog sports, become therapy dogs, and make wonderful companions. If you are looking for something specific- a health guarantee, an impressive pedigree, temperment you can track, beautiful correct type, or that perfect dane silhouette, we will be happy to refer you to a breeder we can recommend. If you are just looking for a wonderful dog you can love, who might not win any dog shows or be worthy of producing a litter but can be beautiful to you just the same, who is just as deserving of a loving home as a breed champion, then put in an application.
Q: I looked at the available dane photos and didn't see anything I was interested in. Now what?
A: Please put in an application! Do not make decisions on which dog to adopt or whether to adopt at all based on the dogs listed on the website! Pictures tell you very little about a dogs personality, and often photos are not available. Often highly adoptable dogs are placed in new homes with approved applications without ever having been listed on the website. And it's really important to meet a dog to see whether you hit it off before deciding that dog is or is not the right dog for you. If you are seriously interested in adopting you need to submit an application, have an interview, and a homecheck!
Q: I looked at the available dane photos and found the perfect dog for me! Now what?
A: Again, it's really important to meet a dog to see whether you hit it off before deciding that dog is or is not the right dog for you. If you are seriously interested in adopting you need to submit an application, have an interview, and a homecheck.
Q: What happens if I'm having trouble or the adoption isn't working?
A: We are always available for information/advice regarding the dogs we place- for the dogs lifetime. We hope that if you have questions, concerns, problems you need help solving that we'll be the first you'll call. We also take the dog back at any time (actually require you to return the dog to us should it need to be rehomed). But we hope to screen both you and the dog thouroughly enough to insure that the placement is a good fit.
Q: What is a homecheck and why do I need to have one?
A: A homecheck is just that- we check your home to be sure that what you told us on your application is accurate (believe it or not we've had people lie about their address/fence/other pets, etc), and that your home is a good fit for the particular dog you want to adopt based on that dog's individual needs (or to help us determine what kind of dane would be a good fit). We DO NOT look to see how much dust is on your booksheves or if you have designer furniture. We are NOT concerned with what part of town you live in, how big/expensive your house is, how big/small your yard is, etc. Our primary concerned is that the dog will be safe, loved, and needs will be provided for.
Q: Are all the rescues spayed/neutered before adoption?
A: Yes!
Q: But, I want to breed, can I adopt one who's not spayed/neutered?
A: NO! Our rescues are generally not "breeding quality" dogs, and it would be irresponsible of us to allow them to be bred. Please read through our links on breeding for more info on what responsible breeding is.
Q: I want a puppy. Do you have any?
A: In most cases, no. Most of the dogs coming through our program are between 1 & 5.
Q:I have kids, cats, other dogs, other pets, etc. Shouldn't I get a puppy?
A:Not necessarily. Many of the dogs who come through our program have grown up with kids, are fine with other animals, and were given up through little or no fault of their own. Each of the danes are evaluated to determine what kind of home would best suit them. Often with adult rescues, what you see is what you get. They can be trained for certain behaviors, but their basic personality is set. We often know in a short amount of time whether they will fit in well in a home with children, other dogs, small animals, livestock, etc.
Also, dane puppies are alot to handle- especially for families with young children who are first time dane owners. You have to remember this is a breed that is 3/4 of their adult weight and height by 6-9 months of age. Without the proper training & socialization they can be out of control & difficult to handle very quickly. Even well trained dane puppies can be hyper, bouncy, & silly. We often recommend that families with small children adopt a mature dane that has already mellowed as their first experience with the breed.
Q: What is the 200.00 adoption fee for?
A: This fee helps us cover the cost of getting the dogs into adoptable condition, and is the average amount we spend per dog. This includes food, spay/neuter, vaccinations, parasite checks & treatments, and treatments for other illnesses & injuries. Even when a dog's costs far exceed the adoption fee, it stays the same. We "eat" the cost or apply the occasional donation towards it. When a dog's rehabilitation costs less than the adoption fee, the remaining money is applied towards another dog's vet bill, towards dog food (which can run up to 800.00 per month), or towards supplies needed by the dogs. Some of our dogs are "unadoptables", dogs whose health or temperment problems make their chances of finding a home very low. These dogs are not euthanized, instead they are cared for by the rescue for their lifetime. These dogs need food, vet care, etc just like any other dog. Adoption fees and donations also help pay for care needed by "unadoptables."
Q: $200.00 is alot of money, why shouldn't I just go buy a puppy?
A:Well, if you want a puppy, we'll happily refer you to a list of responsible breeders- if we approve your application. But the cost of a responsibly bred puppy definitely won't be cheaper. You can expect to pay a minimum of 800.00 to 1,000.00 for a responsibly bred "pet" puppy, depending on color. To that you'll have to add in the cost of any remaining vaccinations, spay/neuter (which you''ll be required by contract to do on a pet only pup), and other first year "puppy" costs.
If you choose to buy a puppy from an irresponsible breeder, you will not only be contributing to the rescue problem, but you probably won't save any money. If a puppy out of the paper costs you 150.00 to 300.00, you'll then have to spend another 150-200.00 on vaccinations, spay/neuter, worming, etc. These things are included in our adoption fee, as are most other things a rescue needs while in our care to become "adoptable".
Q: Seems like a lot of hassle to adopt a pet. Why shouldn't I just go buy a puppy from an ad in the newspaper?
A: Many reasons! In order to get a puppy the easy way, you have to buy one from an irresponsible breeder (because responsible breeders have the same kind of screening process we do). Rescue exists because of irresponsible, casual breeding practices. If you buy a puppy from a casual breeder you are supporting & condoning their practices & compounding rescue's problem. EVEN if you are buying the puppy because you feel sorry for it or to get it out of a bad situation.
To understand this you need to understand the dynamics of irresponsible breeders, responsible breeders, and rescues.
Responsible breeders are those who are breeding with the breed's best interests in mind. Their breedings are planned carefully, normally their dogs have titles, health certifications, and other objective certifications which justify them as breeding quality. They carefully screen homes before selling a puppy (much like we do), pet puppies are sold with an agreement to spay/neuter, and all puppies are sold with a contract which requires you to care properly for them and restricts you from selling or giving the dog away without their consent & approval (much like our contract). These breeders take responsibility for dogs they produced. When & if a dog from their breeding enters rescue (which is not very often), upon being contacted by rescue they make arrangements to place the dog themselves or pay for the cost of care & help with placement. They wouldn't dream of saying sorry, not my problem anymore!
Irresponsible breeders make up a large group- from the person who has an "accidental" breeding to the person who is running a full fledged puppy mill. Several things set these breeders apart from responsible breeders. They do not screen homes properly. They do little or no follow up on puppies after they are placed. They do no objective health checks on parents, rarely show, and know little background on the family/pedigree of the dogs they are breeding, and are not very selective when it comes to breeding choices. Usually whats in the backyard will do. They sell their dogs with no "papers" for a minimal fee, and when they do have "papers" there is no contract which safeguards the puppy's welfare & binds them to being responsible for the dog they produced. If we can prove they produced a dog who enters our rescue (usually through "papers"), this is the kind of breeder who says, sorry, it's not my problem anymore. This is the same kind of breeder however, who often claims "all my puppies go/went to "good" homes, I couldn't possibly be contributing to the rescue problem!" These are often nice, well meaning people whose pets are otherwise well cared for. But being a responsible breeder takes more than being a "nice" person.
The need for rescue simply wouldn't exist or would be very minimal if it weren't for these irresponsible breeders.
We understand that our adoption process is a hassle. There is a great reason for that. We want to be sure you are committed to providing a loving forever home for your new dog before the adoption takes place, and we want to make sure your home is the best match for that particular dog. We want to minimize the possibility that any dog is rehomed again- they have often been through hell by the time they reach rescue, so it's their happiness & welfare that is of utmost importance to us. And we hope you think thats important enough, too to put up with the hassle.
A big thanks to JT (and Cindy!)
for the graphics used on this site!
