With the large number of amazing Coco’s Heart volunteers, donors and interested adopters, we would love everyone to know that we appreciate your passion and your help to keep Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue the amazing organization that it is! We have processes in place to streamline things as best we can, and in order to make our growing organization be the best it can be, we have processes that help assure our rescue stays top quality! We hope these FAQs, along with our website, help answer some questions! Thank you for choosing to rescue!
A word about our processing fee:
We clearly outline our process for people to read before they apply. Our fee is non-refundable and a one time fee! We want to help find a dog for 100% of our applicants. We suggest researching different rescues and applying to ONE rescue that you relate to their mission and want to support. Don't worry so much about the specific animal’s photo that you are drawn to, choose the rescue, not the animal. We value high quality vet care and matchmaking. We value applicants that appreciate our process. It takes patience to go through rescue for your next pet, and it is not for everyone. Some might prefer to go to their local shelter to be able to look at many animals and bring one home same day. That is great! We are all here to complete one mission-to save animal and give them stable homes for the rest of their lives!
We will not answer or process an application without receiving the processing fee. Click HERE to pay the fee if needed.
I have paid the processing fee, but have not received the application:
Our application is online found HERE. We do not email or send an application.
What does your adoption status mean on the dogs individual profiles:
The animal’s adoption status's are updated M-F 8am-5pm. If an application comes through after 5pm on a weekday or on the weekend, that may effect the adoption status although it may not be updated yet. We do our best to keep the website as updated as possible but cannot guarantee the animal is available if it is marked as available. We would be happy to make recommendations if needed. If an animal has a pending adoption, we will accept applications for that animal and will put an approved application on their waiting list in the event the animal becomes available again. A pending adoption means an applicant is in contact with that foster animal and their foster family and we focus on one animal per applicant. *An animal listed as available, may not be available if they have an application waiting in queue to be processed. We will move forward with the first approved application*
A animal that is listed as “accepting adoption interest” means that we are still accepting adoption interest for that animal however we cannot guarantee your application would be first in line as we process applications M-F and in the order received.
I have been in contact and approved through your Adoptions Coordinator but have not found the right match yet. What do I do if I see another animal I am interested in?
You’ve been approved- that’s great! We only need one adoption application on file and it is good for one whole year (unless your information changes, then we do ask you to reapply). If you see another animal you are interested in and already have an approved application on file, please e-mail our Adoptions Coordinator directly at adoptions@cocosheartdogrescue.org. You do not need to submit a new application for each animal or each time- one application is all we need as well as only one processing fee (it is a one time fee).
I just have a quick question about an animal before I apply, who do I contact?
We suggest that you fill out an application. There is no obligation to adopt once you learn more about the animal or meet them. Due to the volume of emails we receive, we give priority to people who have filled out an application. We appreciate people’s interest and enthusiasm with animal rescue, and hope that a serious adopter would take the time to apply and go by our process. It really does work!
I have adopted from CHDR in the past and am wanting to adopt again, what now?
That is wonderful news! The first step is to submit an adoption application as your information needs to be updated with your adopted animal. The processing fee would not need to be paid again however as that is a one time fee. We look forward to working with you again soon!
Coco's Heart requires waiting 6 months between adoptions (regardless of where you adopted from). We feel strongly that allowing the first dog to acclimate, learn home/social boundaries, and develop strong communication will help to set up a successful life-long foundation between the dog and adopter. However, if an adopter feels differently, we will consider adoptions at 4 months between adoptions should an adopter submit proof of completion of obedience course (for dogs under 2 years of age) OR feel strongly the specific adult dogs require companionship to thrive (veterinary or trainer recommendation ideal). CHDR discretion applies.
Why are your adoption fees so “high”?
Our adoption fees are non-negotiable, and are the same whether you are a part of Coco’s Heart as a volunteer or not. Our adoption fees go toward our high quality vetting, and keep our rescue going! More information on what goes into our fees and vetting can be found in the adoption section of our website. We also help sponsor and fund spay surgeries for unaltered females found on the reservation. Each spay/exam for the dogs we provide on the reservation costs our organization approx $300-350.
Behind our mission: While, not traditional in rescue, some of our adoption fees are higher in an effort to afford welcoming animals that need us badly. The ones that many other organizations have had to turn away for financial reasons. We, too, would need to turn them away if we could not afford to help them. At this time we need the increased adoption fees to ensure we can be a sustainable organization while continuing to rescue.
We know we cannot save them all, and we understand balance, but we feel right doing what we can to help the animals that we do. All animals receive the quality care they deserve and adoption fees go right back into our rescue efforts to serve the animals that need help the most. Our average cost of care per animal in the first months of 2021 is estimated to average out to $845/dog.
Coco's Heart Dog Rescue relies on adoption fees and donations to fund our rescue efforts. We can only afford to continue to welcome dogs that need extra care (at the rate that we do) if we can fund it. We want to give each animal we welcome to rescue the care that they deserve and while many of them are in reasonable condition when they arrive, many of them have extremely sad pasts and need extra care in order to have a chance at health and loving homes. While they absolutely deserve it- that care has been expensive. Please feel free to email our director with any other questions (ashley@cocosheartdogrescue.org). We appreciate your effort and support!
Did you know? Adoption fees are most commonly $750 but do range from $550-$1250. Our average cost of care was approximately $900/per animal in previous years (often times $1K-$20K + per case). The higher adoption fees help us to provide extraordinary care to many special cases we welcome to Coco's Heart. Without the adoption fees, we could not help them in the way that we do. In addition, last year we made a massive commitment and investment to launch our in-house veterinary center. The adoption fees help us to be sustainable despite these costs. While they may be higher than some other organizations, they help fund our rescue efforts so that we can continue to do the best we can by every single animal and also cover business expenses. Overall, our adoption fees have been well received but we understand not to everyone. We appreciate your support of rescue!
Do you require a fenced yard to adopt?
We do not require a fence to adopt one of our animals. We will follow up about your safety plan when your animal is outside if you do not have a fence.
Do you adopt out of state?
Yes. We do not have a radius that adopters must live in to adopt from us. We do not ship our animals and do ask that applicants are able to come to our area in a timely manner to meet the animal they are interested in.
Why do you require obedience classes for dog adoptions?
Included in our adoption agreement is a clause that we require our adopters to enroll into obedience classes for all dogs under 24 months old, and strongly recommend it for all dogs. Sadly, 100 percent of all of our young dogs that have been returned to us, the owners did not hold up their end of the contract and did not enroll in a class. Even those of us who have already been through obedience classes before understand how important it is for each individual dog for learning obedience. It is also fun! We feel strongly that obedience classes help strengthen bonds, communication, and enhance basic obedience. Regardless if a person has completed an obedience class, each dog should enroll in a class to ensure they receive the benefits of the classes. It may seem silly..but they really do make a big difference! We will follow up to verify the obedience course has been completed and require proof of completion.
What is your adoption timeline?
We process applications M-F, and approval takes 1-3 business days- not including the day of submission. If you apply on a Friday, you may receive a response as late as Wednesday. If you apply on a Monday, you may receive a response as late as Thursday. If you do not hear back in 3 business days, please email Adoptions and/or check your email junk folder. We respond to ALL applications. Our adoption process can be very quick if all goes well, please be ready to adopt when you submit the application. We cannot hold an animal in rescue and request our applicants be able to schedule the home visit and/or meet'n'greet within one week of being connected to the foster family. Our adopters must be able to adopt the animal when the animal is available- we will not hold the animal any longer than one week or more. The meet and greet and adoption timeline depends on when the animal arrived and their age. Our young puppies are posted 10 days to 3 weeks in advance and cannot have meets until surgeries and vaccinations have been completed. With all of our other animals, the meets and adoptions can happen within days of initial approval, so please apply when you are ready to adopt, as we cannot hold animals for vacations, moving, etc.
I want to adopt a puppy. Can I meet the litter and choose?
Applicants choose a puppy to set up a meet with based on their website profile. We do not allow visits outside of the foster home until puppies have had two rounds of vaccines. Puppies are posted on our website at 6 weeks old but cannot be adopted until they have been spayed/neutered at 9 weeks old. We accept applications on our puppies at 6 weeks and that puppy is held "pending" for an applicant and is on hold until they have had an opportunity to meet the puppy. Many visitors can jeopardize a litter’s health and cause the puppies to become sick. Once the puppy is ready for a meet'n'greet, the applicant can decide if they would like to finalize adoption at that time. Each puppy in a litter will only have one applicant signed up to meet them, we do not accept multiple applicants for our dogs or puppies. In the unlikely event the applicant does not finalize adoption at the meet, we move to the next interested applicant. We focus on only one dog per applicant at a time.
I would like to meet multiple animals on your website, how do I set up multiple meets?
Our applicants can meet multiple animals, however, we focus on one animal per applicant at a time. You would set up a meet with your first choice based on the website information and availability. Then, you have 24 hours where that animal is on "hold" just for you. If you decide to meet more animals, then the first animal that you have met becomes available again to any waiting applicants. A great way to meet multiple animals in a short amount of time is to attend one of our adoption events.
Can I meet an animal and then adopt when I return from vacation, or on a future date?
Our application states that we cannot hold animals in rescue. Your application will be processed in 1-3 business days (M-F). Please do not apply until you are ready to bring home the animal. (Our youngest litters may not be ready for a couple weeks, depending on age) Please understand that there will always be a function or a trip, and on our application we ask what your arrangements would be if you have to be away from home. If you cannot utilize your plans for boarding or animal sitting, please do not hold up a animal’s possible adoption. We rely on the availability of our great fosters, and delaying adoption means the inability to rescue the next animal!
I would like to adopt two dogs at one time, can I do that?
We do feel strongly that adopting one dog- providing them with a consistent routine, level of appropriate obedience, and getting them acclimated to your life is important prior to bringing home another dog. We recommend waiting six months in between adopting another dog. This will lead to less developed behavioral issues between one of them and will be easier on you to give your focus on one dog at time for training purposes.
I would like to adopt littermates, can I do that?
We recommend researching "littermate syndrome". There is some extensive research that recommends not to adopt littermates into the same family as the puppies tend to build a bond with each other and are unable to bond with the family. They also are much more likely to develop unwanted behavioral issues because of this. We feel based on the research and recommendations from our veterinary clinic to not allow puppies to be adopted into the same family. While they enjoy playing with other, it is important for puppies to be separated so they begin to develop on their own and not rely on their littermates.
Do foster families adopt their own foster animals?
Yes! It is often referred to as joining the Foster Failure Club however foster families are held to the same adoption process as any other applicant. Their application is processed in the order received and will not bump another family in line who applied prior.