+ How does applying to adopt work?

If you are interested in adopting with us, we recommend applying online. The initial application review generally takes 5-7 days. After submitting an application, our Adoptions Team will be in touch via email. Each applicant must schedule a phone call with one of our Adoption Ambassadors to speak further about their interest and preparedness to adopt, after which a determination will be made, generally via email. Once approved, you will be eligible to adopt with us for one year and will have the opportunity to set up a meeting with a specific dog. We encourage you to apply online even if you haven’t spotted a great match yet so that the process can be expedited!

+ Should I re-apply for each dog I am interested in?

There is no need to re-submit an application if you’ve been approved within the past year!

+ What are your adoption fees?

As you explore adoption, we encourage you to also consider the significant time and financial commitment that comes along with dog ownership. Adoption fees range from $375 - $575 depending on the dog’s age. Below is a breakdown of how fees are determined:

• Under 1 year old: $575
• 1 year & 1 month - 4 years old: $525
• 4 years - 7 years: $475
• 7 years - 10 years: $400
• 10 years + : $350

If a dog is underage and unable to be spayed or neutered at the time of adoption, there will be a $100 deposit required in addition to the adoption fee. Adoption fees are not negotiable and must be paid in full at the time of adoption. We are proud to offer full medical care, vaccinations, deworming, flea/tick medication, spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, transportation from shelter to foster, food, leashes and other incidentals for all of our dogs. Our adoption fees also include a martingale collar, leash, and a Muddy Paws Rescue ID tag. While some dogs only need standard care, others require more extensive veterinary care or behavioral attention. As a non-profit organization, we rely entirely on adoption fees, donations, and fundraising to enable us to continue rescuing dogs.

+ Do you adopt to out-of-state adopters?

Of course! However, we do require all adopters to travel to NYC to meet the dogs in person before adopting to ensure that it is the right match. If traveling by plane, your adopted dog must be able to fit in the cabin with you rather than in cargo. Before adopting, we recommend checking your specific state or country requirements for traveling with an animal across state lines. While we always appreciate the support of out of state adopters, we encourage you to also consider adopting locally as there are many homeless dogs at your local shelter or rescue.

+ What is your age requirement to adopt?

We require our adopters to be 21 years of age or older.

+ Where do your dogs come from?

We are proud to partner with our local shelter, Animal Care Centers of NYC, in order to rescue dogs in our own community. We also partner with open-intake facilities in the southern states to rescue dogs who are at risk due to space limitations.

+ Where can I see your available dogs?

The best place to keep up to date with our available dogs is our Adoptables Dog page here.

+ How do I meet a dog I’m interested in adopting?

If you are already pre-approved to adopt, we encourage you to email us at adoptionmeetings@muddypawsrescue.org to let us know when you are interested in a specific dog listed on our Adoptable Dogs page. If that dog seems like a good match and you are able to attend our event, our Adoptions Team will do our best to schedule a one-on-one meeting at a pre scheduled time. We also keep a short waitlist for each dog. The first adopter on a dog’s list will have the opportunity to meet the dog and adopt. If they decide not to adopt, the next person who is on the waitlist and present at the event will be able to meet the dog.

+ What is an adoption event?

Adoption events are crucial for our dogs to receive exposure and to find their forever homes! Leading up to our events, our adoptions team will schedule meetings with pre-approved adopters. Pre-scheduled meetings will take place during the first half of our event. Some dogs will have meetings scheduled prior to the event starting, while others will not. Meetings will also be scheduled the day-of events as walk up adopters go through the pre-approval process and pre-approved adopters sign up to talk with one of our Matchmakers.

Meetings are generally 15-20 minutes long. Adopters must be pre-approved in order to meet with a dog. If dogs are adopted during the event, they will go home with their adopters that day.

+ How does a pre-scheduled adoption meeting work?

When you arrive at an adoption event, please check in with a volunteer at our sign in table to let them know you have been pre-approved and have a meeting scheduled. Please bring a state-issued photo ID. Once you are checked in, you will be paired with a Matchmaker who will help facilitate your meeting. If you are scheduled to meet an adult dog who has all vaccines and can walk outside, you can take the dog for a walk. If you are meeting with a puppy who is not yet fully vaccinated due to age, you will be able to hold the pup.

After you spend time with the dog, you will have a chance to ask your Matchmaker any questions you might have. If you are ready to adopt, a Finalizer will review your pup’s medical records, help you fill out necessary paperwork, complete payment and provide you with post adoption support materials.

Please remember most rescue dogs have been through a lot of upheaval throughout their lives and even more over the last few days or weeks. Adoption events can be stressful for dogs, so please trust that although a pet might not display all the qualities you read about in a foster parent's description, this may be due to the environment, and it will likely take time for the dog to acclimate in a new home. A dog who won't even look at you at an event could be attached at the hip after 24 hours in your home, a dog who just wants to run at an event might be a couch potato, and a dog who barks in a crate at an event could be quiet as a mouse at home. We are always as honest and transparent as possible about our dog’s behaviors, so please feel free to ask questions!

+ Can I place a dog on hold?

We are not able to place dogs on “hold” for adopters who are unable to attend the earliest available meet and greet time due to a high number of pre-approved adopters. Please be prepared to take your new pup home with you directly from your meet & greet (assuming all goes well, of course!). We will not be able to hold that dog for you past that time. We are a foster-based rescue and are so grateful for our fosters who volunteer to care for our dogs before they are adopted. By doing same-day adoptions, we are able to make more foster homes available to new dogs, and ultimately save more lives.

+ What if I'm not sure a dog is the best fit?

For some of our pups, we offer a "Trial Adoption" option, so that you can get to know the dog a bit better before making that final decision. This is a wonderful option for you if you need some extra time, and for our dogs who will have the opportunity to show off their best selves! Dogs who are eligible for Trial Adoptions will have a label on their profile on our Adoptable Dogs page. Learn more about our Trial Adoption program.

+ What should I do to prepare for a new dog?

We are glad you want to be prepared for the newest addition to your family! See here for detailed information about how to prepare.

You can also read more on “What to Know About Adopting During a Pandemic” here.

+ I just adopted and have questions or need some advice. What should I do?

The Adoptions Team is always happy to help answer any questions that you may have after you’ve adopted. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!