SLR FAQ

A: SLR foster dogs are turned over to us either by their owners, by shelters, or by someone who has found a stray.


A: Each one of the dogs we bring into our rescue has its own unique story that we sort out during the time they are in the care of their foster. Dogs are only offered for adoption after we have a full understanding of their behaviors and after all of their vetting has been completed, all of which takes time. The typical best case is a dog that comes to us already spayed or neutered, up to date on all of the vaccinations and preventatives, groomed, microchipped, and with a mouthful of healthy teeth. Only a small percentage of dogs come to us like this and the ones that do typically need only a few weeks with their foster for their behaviors to be observed and documented. The rest come to us needing many, if not all of the things listed. The bottom line is that taking care of each dog’s individual needs and documenting their behaviors so that they are ready to be adopted takes time, sometimes as much as two months or more.

A: Our commitment is to always do what is best for our dogs. While our fosters are getting each dog ready for eventual adoption, our Adoption Coordinators are busy looking at the adoption applications we have received to start looking for possible matches between families hoping to adopt and our available dogs. The only way the Adoption Coordinators can do their jobs is to start to learn as much as they can about potential adopters from the information on their applications.

A: Adoption fees are typically based on the age of the dog and are usually between $250 to $500. Sometimes the adoption fee is waived when our only consideration is being able to place a deserving dog in a loving forever home. Once people know and understand what goes into rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-homing just one dog, they understand that our adoption fees are very modest and only cover only basic medical expenses. Every dog we take in goes straight to a veterinarian where they are evaluated and given a thorough physical exam including blood work, vaccinations, heartworm tests, heartworm preventatives, fecal tests and de-wormers, if necessary. Many have to be treated for flea and tick infestations or other parasites and about 50% of them have to be spayed or neutered, which are surgical procedures. A lot of our dogs also require surgical dental work that includes cleaning and, if necessary, extractions.

A: In addition to the many healthy young dogs that come to SLR, we also take in numerous special needs, stray, and senior dogs. We believe that every single dog deserves a second chance for a good life and it is our mission to find a way to provide it. We take in dogs regardless of their age and condition from numerous cities and towns throughout the southeast. Many of our dogs require extensive veterinary care, including surgeries, spay/neuter, and dental work, before they can be adopted. SLR underwrites all of those costs so these wonderful dogs can become members of their new families. Adoption fees alone fall far short of covering all of those costs. It is also important to know that 100% of the money we bring in goes toward helping the dogs. SLR is made up of 100% volunteers, and no one is paid for the selfless work they do.

A: Your generous gifts are the lifeblood of our rescue efforts. If you can, please make a tax deductible donation and be sure to check our Facebook page often so you can stay up to date on our special needs because we always have dogs in need of veterinary care far above and beyond what adoption funds provide. In addition to your continued financial generosity, our greatest need is always for people who can open their hearts and homes to foster and care for our dogs until they are ready to be adopted. If you are not in a position to foster, there are still many ways to help. Maybe you can transport, pull dogs tagged by SLR from a shelter in your area, help us spread the word and raise awareness using your social networking skills, photograph new dogs that come to us or help groom our dogs so they put their best paw forward when potential adopters view their photos. If you want to learn more about becoming a volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer Application and we will definitely contact you!

A: Yes, those types of things are an enormous help! If you own a business with any type of goods or services that would provide SLR with necessary services or product needs, we will happily list you on our Business Partners page.