APPLICATION PROCESS

SUBMITTING A PRE APPROVAL APPLICATION​

1. Submit application for pre-approval: Complete an application to adopt by following the steps in the link below. If you are interested in applying for a specific dog on the website, please be sure to list their name. Please note that submitting an application is the first step in our process and does not guarantee adoption of a particular dog​

2. Application Submitted: Once your application has been submitted, an APR volunteer will be assigned your application. The APR volunteer will contact your references as well as your vet to ensure all pets are up to date and fixed.

   • Please make sure you have called your vet and given them permission to speak to us, so it does not slow down your application process.

   • APR will also contact your landlord/property manager (if applicable) for permission and any restrictions.

3. ​Home Visit: Once the APR volunteer has made all required calls, you will be contacted to set up a home visit. During which, the Volunteer will meet with all residents of your home to ensure that everyone is on board to adopt to ensure the dog is being set up for success!​

4. Determination: Once all calls have been made and a home visit is completed, you will be contacted via email or phone by an APR Volunteer within 10-14 business days of submitting your application to let you know if you have been approved.

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POST-APPLICATION APPROVAL

1. Official pre-approval: Following the successful completion of steps 1-3, you will be pre-approved to adopt! You can view the list of current animals online or attend one of our Upcoming Events to meet our adoptable dogs. ​

2. Express Written Interest: See a dog on our website or Facebook page that you're interested in meeting? You can message the APR Facebook page or send an email to awesomepawsrescue@gmail.com to get on that dogs list. Please make sure to include your name (as it is on your application), phone number, that you're already pre-approved and which dog you are interested in meeting. A volunteer will then send your information to that dog's foster parent, who will reach out to schedule a meet and greet with you!

3. Meet & Greets: The foster parent will set up one meet & greet at a time to ensure families are able to make sure the dog is the right fit for them as well as for the dog. If you and the foster parent feel it is a paw-fect fit, the adoption may be finalized on the spot! If you want time to think it over, our foster parent will take the dog back home with them and allow you 24 hours to think it over then provide them with a decision. If it doesn’t work out, fosters will move on to the next applicant. However, your application will remain approved for 6 months.

4. Approved adoption: Yay! After your successful meet and greet, you are ready to make an adoption decision! Adoption fees are due at the time of adoption, and you must bring a leash, collar, and dog tag that has your contact information on it for your new furry friend! 

   1. Adoption fees can be paid via: cash, check, Venmo, or PayPal

   2. Adoption fees are as follows:

      1. Puppies under 1 year: $500

      2. Dogs 1-8 years old: $450

      3. Dogs 9 years or older: $200

         1. Upon proof of completion of a puppy training course for dogs 0-8 years old, APR offers a $50 refund​​​​

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Included in the Adoption Fee: 

• Spay/Neuter

  • We strive to have all dogs spayed/neutered prior to adoption. In the chance your dog is not spayed/neutered at the time of adoption, our coordinator will work with you to schedule an appointment at one of our vet offices around WNY. 

    • Please note, if you choose to take the dog to your own vet, the cost will not be covered by APR. ​

• Age-Appropriate Vaccinations

  • This does NOT mean your dog will be fully vaccinated at the time of adoption. We will give all age-appropriate vaccinations to the dog but depending on their age and how long they were under care of APR, you may be responsible for any remaining vaccinations. Please thoroughly review the folder at time of adoption and contact your vet to schedule any needed vaccinations.

• Deworming

• Flea/tick treatment

• Heartworm test for dogs six months and older

• Microchip​

  • The microchip will be inserted at time of spay/neuter.  The microchip is located in your dog’s folder, so make sure to bring the folder to the appointment. The microchip will be registered and linked to your adoption application.  ​

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Please note: Our adoption radius is within approximately 45 miles (if there are pets in the house) and 100 miles (if there are no pets in your home) from the Buffalo Airport. We currently don't adopt to Canada. Please do not apply if you are outside this radius or in Canada.