To Apply for a Stella's Hope rescue dog, please read through our adoption process and policies FIRST, then download and fill out the adoption application below, and send the completed app to
stellashope_gmail.com
**PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT DO OUT-OF-STATE ADOPTIONS**
Adoption Process and Policies:
All dogs listed on this website are currently available for adoption, and are seeking permanent loving homes. Before applying to adopt, please understand that we are looking for people and/or families that are ready and willing to commit to a dog for its entire lifespan, which could be up to 20 years. Adoptive families must be looking for their companion pet to be a member of the family and not an outdoor only dog.
Process:
Application - Adopters fill out and submit an adoption application that will be reviewed by a minimum of 2 Stellas Hope staff members. (in addition, we reserve the right to schedule a phone interview prior to moving forward with the process).
Meet & Greet - If the application is approved, we will schedule a meet and greet with the potential adopters and dog(s). It is required that all members of the adoptive family be present for the meet and greet.
Home Check - Once the meet and greet has occurred, we will schedule a mandatory home visit. (*please note, if you are in a rented home, we will be contacting your landlord for their approval prior to adoption).
Pet Introduction - If the adopter already has existing pets (dogs or cats), we require that the pets are properly introduced by a member from Stella's Hope. We will not adopt a 4th dog into a home under any circumstances.
Adoption Requirements:
Adopters must be at least 21 years of age Adopters must live in the state of California Must have a valid CA Drivers License Be willing and able to follow the mandatory adoption process Must allow a representative to follow up with the adoptive family post-adoption Be willing to provide the adopted dog with food, water, regular medical care (vaccines, flea/heartworm treatment, etc.) for the rest of their natural life Agree to the Stellas Hope adoption contract Also agree that Stellas Hope has the RIGHT to regain possession of the adopted dog without notice, if any of the terms of contract have been violated. If applying to adopt a large-breed dog, adopter must provide proof of homeowners/renters insurance that is not breed-specific (upon request) Adoption Donations:
We incur significant expenses in rescuing dogs (shelter pull fees, medical treatment, food, transportation, etc.) Our adoption fees are not the purchase price of a dog. Your donation is towards not only your dog, but other dogs in our care, and future dogs that will be rescued. Your dog was rescued and cared for thanks to the person that adopted before you.
All Stellas Hope dogs require an adoption donation. Puppies under the age of 6 months that have not yet been altered also require an additional $150 spay/neuter deposit. It is the responsibility of the adopter to pay for the altering of the dog when age appropriate (and by the date specified in our contract). Upon receipt of a sterility certificate (prior to date listed on contract), adopters will be reimbursed their $150 deposit.
(Please note the adoption contract is not valid or final until the dog is altered as stated on the contract)
The adoption fees for our dogs ranges from $150- $450
The fees depend on the age and breed of the dog .
All Stellas Hope adopted dogs receive the following:
+ Spay/Neuter (if age appropriate)
+ Appropriate vaccines depending on age of dog
+ Microchip
+ Clean bill of health from our veterinarian
+ treatment for any and all parasites
+ a free visit with our vet at no charge for a general health exam
Please note that we do not make any guarantees on the future health, temperament, size, or breed of our adopted dogs. We do our best to all of our in safe and healthy environments prior to adoption, and expect our adopters to do the same for them post-adoption.
Notes about our Adoption Process:
The decision to place one of our rescue dogs into an adoptive home is not one that we take lightly. We do not, under any circumstances, stray away from our adoption process for anyone. We reserve the right to deny applications for any reason. We also reserve the right to deny your application without providing a reason. We do not operate on a first-come first-served mentality, but rather seek the best fit and best home for our dogs.
Also, just because your application has been approved to move forward in the process, does NOT mean that you will be guaranteed approval for the particular dog for which you have applied for. Once all steps have been completed and if approved, a Stellas Hope volunteer will contact you and give you official word. Until this point, please do not expect to be guaranteed adoption approval.
We often have multiple applications for the same adoptable dog. We will disclose information about other potential adopters nor we will stop accepting applications on that dog until it has officially been adopted.
When you are applying to adopt, please be considerate of our process, and we will do our best to communicate with you at an appropriate pace. We understand that adopting a companion pet can be a very exciting and emotional process, but we ask that you please understand the importance of our process and respect our guidelines, knowing that the dog is not officially yours until the adoption has been approved and the contract has been signed. For this reason, we suggest you do not purchase supplies, or get any person (including children) in your family overly excited until you have signed the adoption contract, since there are many factors that could affect whether or not your are deemed the right fit for the dog you have applied for.
In the event that the adopter is no longer able/willing to care for the adopted dog, the adopter understands that the dog MUST be returned to Stellas Hope.
** ADOPTION DONATIONS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE**
Please do not apply to adopt if you are not prepared to commit to a dog for its lifetime.
