Adoption Program

The purpose of our adoption process is to ensure the best adoption outcome for each and every one of our available rescue pets and their human families. Please read the guide below and feel free to email us at adoptions@rainorshinerescue.com if you have additional questions. Thank you!

Please note:

1. Our Adoption Application and Foster Application are one and the same. HOWEVER, each track has its own unique onboarding process. Please be sure to read the adopter onboarding process below if you are applying to adopt.

2. Being approved to Adopt does not mean you are also approved to Foster. There will be a few additional (but simple) steps to complete before an approved adopter is approved to foster.

3. Fosters do not have the first right of refusal to adopt the pet they are fostering. Rain or Shine Rescue reserves the right to facilitate the adoption of a pet in rescue to any person(s) of our choice.

Adopter onboarding process:

1. It takes our team 7-10 business days to process an adoption application, including:

   a. Review the application and follow up where necessary

   b. Check personal references

   c. Check vet reference if applicable

   d. Schedule and conduct a virtual interview

2. We conduct a virtual interview with every applicant to get to know them better so that we can make the best possible pet match. It also gives them the opportunity to ask our adoption coordinators any questions they may have.

3. We depend on the applicant and their references to respond in a timely manner in order to move their application along.

4. The primary adopter and co-adopter (if applicable) must meet the pet they wish to adopt in person, with an adoption coordinator present, before an adoption can be finalized.

5. We do not hold pets for potential adopters. Adopters must be able to meet and bring their adopted pet home at the time an adoption is finalized.

6. Adopters with resident pets will be granted a one-week grace period to integrate their newly adopted pet into their home. If there are any concerns for the safety of their new pet and/or their resident pets during this grace period, they may return their new pet to Rain or Shine Rescue for a refund of their adoption fee.

What we need from adopters:

1. Must be 23 years or older to apply as the primary adopter.

2. Complete Rain or Shine Rescue’s adoption application.

3. Attend a virtual interview with our adoption coordinator.

4. Sign the Adoption Contract, which will be emailed to adopter prior to finalizing an adoption.

5. Pay the standard adoption fee of $550 (dog) or $125 (cat) in order to finalize an adoption. The fee covers part of your new pet’s spay/neuter, core vaccinations, microchip, basic vetting and boarding among other expenses. Rain or Shine Rescue does not make a profit from adoption fees.

6. Show one form of government-issued identification (e.g. driver’s license, state ID, passport) to our adoption coordinator during the adoption meeting/pet pickup.

7. We require the primary adopter and their co-adopter to meet the pet they wish to adopt in person before the adoption can be finalized. This meeting may take place at a Rain or Shine adoption event or at/near the pet’s foster home.

8. Once the adoption is finalized, the pet’s adopter is responsible for any and all costs associated with transporting the pet to their new home. We DO NOT allow adopted pets to travel via cargo.