+ Where are you located?

SOS does not have a facility. We prefer to see dogs in foster homes to adjust to their new surroundings as we learn what a suitable furever home looks like. Our dogs are fostered throughout cities in Southern Ontario.

+ Do you adopt dogs out all over Canada?

SOS adopts dogs out mostly in Southern Ontario. If you’re looking for dogs in other provinces, please contact your local animal shelters/rescues. If you’re in Ontario, you must be willing to drive to pick-up the dog where they are currently fostered. You may also be required to travel for meet and greets, and initial vet appointments. North Bay, Sudbury, Ottawa are examples of areas we have adopted to, although most of our dogs reside in the Toronto (GTA) area.

+ How long does the adoption process take?

The adoption process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. It depends on availability of the applicants and our volunteers. Please only apply if you are prepared to welcome the dog immediately. We do not hold dogs for any reason.

+ I saw a dog on social media but they're not on the website - can I apply?

This dog is likely no longer (or not yet) available for adoption. The dog could have an adoption in the works, or could be settling into foster care. Popular dogs can be removed within 24hrs. Tip: Keep an eye on our website for the latest adoptables & apply when you first see them posted after reading their bio to see if they’re a good match! To respect our volunteers’ time, please only apply if/when you see them posted to our website.

+ Can you let me know when a particular dog is open for applications?

No, our adoption team is run by volunteers and we currently do not have the capacity. Please check our website regularly if you are interested in a particular dog.

+ Will you adopt a dog to a home with cats if its bio says "not cat tested"?

“Not cat tested” means the dog hasn’t met a cat in foster care, so we have little to no knowledge on how the dog will do in the home with a cat. If the dog does not show signs of prey drive, we are open to a home with cats. However, there are things for cat owners to consider before submitting an application for a dog that isn’t cat tested. We do not offer dog/cat meet and greets before a dog is adopted. Therefore, you MUST do your research on proper dog/cat introductions in the home. Also, you must be willing to work with the dog if the dog does start to chase or show unwanted behaviours toward the cat. This may require the support of a professional trainer, so you also must be prepared for potential costs associated with this. Lastly, all adoptions have a trial period of at least one month, which will give a small indication on how manageable the relationship will be.

+ Will you adopt a dog to a home with children if the bio says "not kid tested"?

“Not kid tested” means the dog hasn’t had significant interactions with children while in foster care. We are open to homes with children but it is important the children understand how to properly approach and respect a dog. Doing research and speaking with your children before adopting a dog is vital. Be aware of bios that may specify things such as “dog savvy children,” or “only children 12 and older.” Sometimes, we specify this in bios for dogs that generally get along with kids, but may be grumpy if they are pet or played with in a way they don’t appreciate. Some dogs may also get excited/jumpy easily, in which case we may say it is not suitable for families with young children. We do our best to screen dogs that innately would be better suited for homes without kids, and will specify in bios as “no kids”.

If you are approved for a meet and greet, we do require all family members, including children, to attend. This is an opportunity to see if the dog is the right fit for your family, and for us to see if your family is the right fit for the dog.

+ I like a few dogs but can't decide which one to apply for. Can I apply for multiple dogs at the same time?

We can only process an application for one scruff at a time. We recommend you go to our website and carefully read the bio of each dog you are interested in. Our volunteers put a lot of effort into these bios, so it's important to read them thoroughly and think about how each dog will fit with your lifestyle and personality. If that adoption doesn’t work out, we always keep your application on file, which you can use to apply to adopt another dog(s).

+ Is there any way I can meet a dog prior to applying?

Some dogs are also available for informal meetups. If this option is available for a dog, it will say so in their bio. There will also be an email in the bio to reach out to if you are interested in an informal meetup for a specific dog.

For all other dogs, if your application is processed and you’ve completed the interview, you may be approved for a meet and greet with the dog and their foster. All people in the home (including partners, children, roommates, etc.) and dog (if applicable) must attend this mandatory meet and greet in order to determine if the adoption will be approved. Options for meet and greets are virtual and in-person, depending on the comfort level of the foster parent and applicants, as well as current provincial COVID-19 protocols.

We do also host events, and some will include adoptable dogs. Keep an eye on our website & social media, and sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.

+ I've submitted an application but I haven't heard back yet - what should I do?

Please give our Adoption Coordinators up to 5 days to respond to your submitted application, we do respond to everyone who applies. Please also check your junk folder as sometimes our emails end up there. If you don’t receive an email from us after 5 days and have checked your junk folder, you can send a follow up email to adoption@saveourscruff.org. We appreciate your patience.

+ The dog I was interested in has been adopted. Do you keep my application on file if I see another dog I’d like to adopt?

We keep all applications on file for one year. If you have already completed steps in the application process (eg, interview), we will also keep this information on file.

If it has been less than one year since you submitted an application, please reply to your last application email with responses to the below two questions about the dog you’re interested in:

1. What about this dog makes you feel that they are the perfect fit for your family?

2. How will you help this dog with their needs? How will you help them to be successful? Do you have any experience with these things? (Please be as specific as possible)

If any details from your application have changed, please also update us on those details.

+ My animals are not spayed/neutered, can I still adopt?

We require all adoptive homes to have their current dogs and cats spayed/neutered unless there is a particular reason as to why it can’t be done. This will be discussed with applicants to ensure we are comfortable moving forward. Please mention it in your application.

SOS’ mission is to help control overpopulation and an unfixed animal, no matter how careful you are, can end up procreating.

+ I’m looking for a specific breed or a hypoallergenic dog. can you help me find a dog?

The majority of dogs that come into our care are mixed breeds who shed, but on occasion we may have some lower shedding dogs available for adoption. We can never guarantee that a dog will be hypo. If you are looking for a specific breed, it may make more sense for you to apply for breed-specific rescue.

+ I’m new to dog ownership and wondering what costs i can expect when adopting a dog?

Owning a dog can be expensive and we do want applicants to be prepared for this before adopting. Here are some general vetting fees associated to help you to make an informed financial decision. Let me know what your thoughts are on being able to manage these costs.

Puppies: $1800 (initial year) for things like Heartworm, Flea/Tick Prevention, Exam with Vaccines, Deworming, Fecal Exam, Microchip and Spay/Neuter

Young/Adult Dogs: $1700 a year, based on the size of the dog and general health! Includes Heartworm, Flea/Tick Prevention, Annual Exam with vaccines,, Annual Wellness Profile, Annual Fecal Exam, Professional Dental Care.

Emergency Vetting Costs:

• $200+ just to walk into a Emergency Vet Clinic
• $3000+ for MRIs
• $3500-$5500 for Bloat
• $3000-$4500 for foreign body removal

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+ Are all your dogs potty trained?

Our awesome foster parents work with their foster dogs on all basic training, including potty training. However, you should expect for your dog to potentially regress once you take them home to a new environment. For adoption trials, where the applicant is welcoming an out-of-country intake straight into their home, all basic training including potty training will be required. That said, this is one of the least common areas of support fosters & adopters need in our care. You’ve got this!

+ Will my application be rejected if i don’t have a backyard?

Definitely not! It’s important to read the bio of the specific dog you’re applying for in case there is a requirement for a fenced yard. However, we have many dogs who are suited to condo/apartment living, and can thrive in this environment once they get enough exercise and mental stimulation.

+ Will the dog i adopt come with details of their medical history?

Post-adoption our approved vet will send you all of the dog’s medical history which includes any records from before they were in SOS care, as well as the vet paperwork from their visit to our approved vet here in Ontario. Everything will be shared with the adopter. During the adoption process, we will discuss any medical concerns that have come up in care – common examples include allergies, future dental needs, positive for tick borne diseases, etc.

All dogs will be vetted before adoption with the following, although we always recommend visiting your vet within 1 month of adoption to start a wellness plan & get familiar with your vet. Each dog has had a general health exam which includes, if due: DHPP vaccine, Rabies vaccine, Fecal Test, Flea/Tick & Heartworm prevention while in care, 4dx bloodwork as well as spay/neuter if over 6 months of age.

+ I’ve read over all of the FAQs and still have a question that hasn’t been answered. Who can I contact with my question?

Please reach out to our Adoption Coordinators at adoption@saveourscruff.org. It could take up to 5 days for one of our volunteers to get back to you. Remember to check your junk folder, too, in case an email from SOS ends up there.

+ What is the difference between a Tractive GPS and a Microchip?

Though they may seem similar, a Tractive GPS and a Microchip serve different purposes. Microchips allow for dogs to be identified by an ID number when visiting a veterinarian. The GPS allows you to track your dog’s location in real time through an app on our phone. Current microchips do not allow you to track your dog’s location. Read more about the difference on Tractive’s website.

+ Why does my dog need a GPS tracker?

A GPS tracker is important for your dog’s safety. It is very common for dogs to be a flight risk in new situations. Having a GPS tracker allows you to track and locate your dog in the event of them getting away from you, a dog walker, a babysitter etc.

+ Why do you recommend a waist leash for handling a new scruff? How does it work?

A waist leash is a type of leash that is safely secured around the handler’s waist, as opposed to being held in their hand. It is a safety tool for working with your new scruff, as it provides a hands-free option for walking with your dog. Used in conjunction with a second, traditional leash, it decreases the risk of your dog being able to get away if they get spooked or excited and want to run away. It is easy to accidentally drop the leash in hand (think..hot coffee, tripping hazards etc) so the hands-free leash acts as a back up. It gives security to anyone working with a new or nervous dogs outdoors giving security that the dog won't get away, letting the focus be on training and guidance with the regular leash. We suggest the hands-free leash be attached to the harness, while the regular leash be attached to the martingale collar around the neck.

+ Do I need to incorporate formal training with my dog?

Yes. As part of an update to our Adoption Policy, all our adopters are required to enrol in and complete formal training with their scruff post-adoption within the first 6 months of adopting. Yay! A beautiful relationship between you and you dog awaits.

+ Do adopters need to be experienced with dog training?

No! Save Our Scruff will often place dogs with first-time dog parents if we feel it’s an appropriate match and adopters are not expected to be pros with training. In fact, training is a lifelong commitment and we encourage adopters to continuously approach training with a beginner’s mindset. You’d be surprised how much both you and your scruff can learn and accomplish together.