Thank you for considering getting involved in rescue! Clicking on any of the applications below will initiate download. You can send us your completed application by uploading and submitting it below, or you attach it in an e-mail to adoption@dcsir.org. Adoption donation for adult dogs is $300 and for puppies (less than one year old) is $450.

Download Adoption Application

Adoption Process:

Please be patient with our adoption process. We are committed to finding the perfect home for each dog that comes through DCSIR. We also ask that, if you did not get a particular dog, please understand that this does not mean you are not a qualified adopter. 99% of applicants won’t get the first dog they apply for. Most of our adopters end up with their perfect dog down the road and are overjoyed that they waited. Please be aware that our adoption donation for adult dogs is $300 and for puppies (less than one year old) is $450. This is what to expect when applying to adopt a dog from DC SIR:

Complete the DCSIR Adoption Application: Please download and complete the Adoption Application above and follow the instructions to submit the application by e-mail. Please be honest and detailed. Make sure that the Adoption Application is submitted in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx extension) only.

Phone Interview: Once we receive a completed Adoption Application, a DC SIR volunteer will e-mail you to schedule a phone interview. This will be a general interview, but we may also discuss the particular dog you are interested in, if time permits.

Reference Checks: If we move forward, DC SIR will contact the references/veterinarians listed on your Adoption Application to obtain additional information.

Home Visit: Two DCSIR volunteers will coordinate this with you. All parties living in the home must be present for the entire home visit. We may bring a ‘test’ dog, and not the specific dog you are interested in adopting, as this may not be an ideal meeting time or convenient location.

Meet and Greet: This involves meeting the particular dog (if any) that you are interested in. This step may be interchanged or combined with a Home Visit, based on timing and location.

All formal notifications regarding approved, finalized adoptions are conducted by DC SIR officers. The individual(s) who conduct the phone interview and/or reference checks may not be the same individual(s) who make the final decisions/notifications regarding adoptions.

Please be patient with us, as DCSIR is a group of volunteers who have full-time jobs, families and other responsibilities. It is our goal to dedicate as much of our free time as possible to caring for and placing these wonderful dogs!

Download Foster Application

Foster Process:

Essentially, the foster process is similar to the adoption process. However, you are being notified about dogs in DCSIR’s custody and care prior to the general public. You will also have the opportunity to ‘try out’ the breed without making a full commitment. Maybe you are looking for the perfect companion for your current dog. While all dogs take time and effort no matter how perfect they seem, this process allows you to ensure that you have found the perfect friend for Fido, Kitty or the kids in your home! Most importantly, you are saving a life. Sometimes we have a matter of hours to determine whether we can place a dog in a foster home before he/she gets put to sleep. Without foster homes, we could not operate.

Complete the DCSIR Foster Application: You can download and complete the Foster Application above and follow the instructions to submit the application by e-mail.

Phone Interview: Once we receive a completed Foster Application, a DC SIR volunteer will e-mail you to schedule a phone interview. This will include questions about your current pets and their temperament. The interview will focus on your personal experience with dogs and your current lifestyle, to match the best fit with your experience.

Reference Checks: If we move forward, DC SIR will contact the references/veterinarians listed on your Foster Application to obtain additional information.

Home Visit: Two DCSIR volunteers will coordinate this with you. All parties living in the home must be present for the entire home visit. All pets residing in the home must also be present during the home visit. We may bring a ‘test’ dog to see how they interact with your current pets and family members.

Welcome Documents and Forms: You will be required to read our policies and Foster Guide and complete forms to join the DCSIR Foster group.

DCSIR Foster Listserv: You will be officially added to our active foster mailing list. E-mails are sent out with pictures (when available) of rescued dogs. Sometimes we have mere hours, other times we have several days to pull a dog before s/he gets PTS (put to sleep). Please provide an e-mail address that will be viewed often. We don’t send many e-mails. Please volunteer only if you plan to commit to helping the dog. Most dogs are in a foster home from 2 weeks to 2 months.

 
Download Volunteer Application

Download Transport Application