Before applying to adopt, make sure to view our Available Shelties.

TERMS OF ADOPTION

1. Care of Our Rescues: Our dogs are adopted to loving homes that want a Sheltie for the intelligence, charm, and companionship they offer. As rescued Shelties, our dogs have already been through enough heartache in their lives. Dogs adopted from Austin Sheltie Rescue will not be used for animal research or experiments, breeding, attack training, or dog fighting; they will not be tied up or chained, confined exclusively outdoors, abused, neglected, given to another owner, or abandoned to the streets. Obedience training will be reward based; shock collars will never be used on our dogs. Austin Sheltie Rescue reserves the right to check on the status of our rescued Sheltie and to request updates, removing our rescued Sheltie if we discover these terms are violated by the adopter; there will be no refund of the donation.
2. Return: The adopted dog may be returned to Austin Sheltie Rescue within two weeks of the date of adoption for a full refund of payment if the adopter is not satisfied with any aspect of the adoption. We will accept the return of our dog at any point in the dog’s life; however, after two weeks from the adoption date, no refund will be given.
3. Transfer of Ownership: The adopted dog may not be transferred to any other person for any reason. If the undersigned adopter is forced to relinquish custody of the dog at any time, said dog will be relinquished only to Austin Sheltie Rescue Inc…
4. Refund: There will be no refund or reimbursement for any expenses incurred by the adopter for the adopted dog, even if it is returned to Austin Sheltie Rescue Inc…
5. Health Program: The adopted dog will be cared for humanely, including adequate food, shelter, water, heartworm preventative, flea medication, vaccinations, and any other necessary veterinary care, and will be licensed in accordance with the laws in the jurisdiction in which he resides. The dog must be exercised in a fenced yard or on a leash and shall NOT BE FREE TO ROAM THE STREETS.
6. Loss: If the adopted dog is lost or stolen, the adopter will notify Austin Sheltie Rescue immediately so we can use our resources to help locate the dog as soon as possible.
7. Reservation of Rights: Austin Sheltie Rescue reserves the right to enforce this contract in order to protect the welfare of the adopted dog. It is understood that Austin Sheltie Rescue may examine and may make inquiries about the said dog at any time after adoption and will do so. We appreciate updates and photos of our adopted Shelties. If the terms and conditions of the Adoption Agreement are not upheld, Austin Sheltie Rescue reserves the right to terminate the Agreement and to reclaim the dog; there will be no refund of the donation.  
8. Liability: If the dog develops behavioral or severe health/medical problems in the new owner’s care, the adopter may return the dog to us but will not hold Austin Sheltie Rescue responsible for such sudden changes or expenses.
9. Return Check Charge: There will be a $25.00 charge on all returned checks submitted by the adopter.  If the check is not covered, our Sheltie will be relinquished to Austin Sheltie Rescue
10. Right of Refusal: To determine what is best for our dogs, Austin Sheltie Rescue reserves the right to refuse any application.

For the best match between sheltie and family and to protect our dogs, Austin Sheltie Rescue screens our applicants carefully through the application, checks with the veterinarian, and performs a home visit. If you are under age eighteen, a parent or guardian must complete and sign this application and must also want to adopt.  After carefully answering all of the questions below, please print the filled-in form for your records. Please allow 5 business days for us to get back to you. Thank you for your interest in adopting a rescued sheltie.

Contact Information

Let us know how to get in touch with you. We do not adopt outside of Texas.

Name *

First

Last

Joint Applicant Name

First

Last

Email *

Cell Phone *

Home Phone

Work Phone

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

TexasAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Occupation *

Driver's License Number *

Privacy Note: The requested information is for the private use of Austin Sheltie Rescue and will never be made public.


Preparations

Confirm that you have discussed rescuing a sheltie with others in your home.

Are other members of your household aware that you are considering adopting a pet? *

• Yes
• No

Does everyone in your home want this dog? *

• Yes
• No

Shelties

Tell us about the sheltie you’re interested in and any Shelties you have/had.

Name(s) of sheltie(s) you are interested in adopting *

Why do you want a Shetland Sheepdog? *

Have you ever owned a sheltie before? *

• Yes, spayed/neutered
• Yes, Not spayed/neutered
• No

Why did you choose to not spay/neuter your sheltie?

Do you still have the sheltie? *

• Yes, Male
• Yes, Female
• No

How old is/are your sheltie(s)?

Have you done some research to learn about the breed?

• Yes, lots!
• Yes, some.
• Nope, not yet.

For what purpose do you want this dog? *

Do you have a sex preference? *

• Prefer male, but will consider female
• Only want male
• Prefer female, but will consider male
• Only want female

Color preference (1st choice) *No preferenceSableTri-ColorBi-BlackBi-BlueBlue Merle

Note: due to the popularity of Blue Merles, we do not see them often in rescue.

Color preference (2nd choice)No preferenceSableTri-ColorBi-BlackBi-BlueBlue Merle

Note: due to the popularity of Blue Merles, we do not see them often in rescue.

What age range would you prefer? Would you consider an older dog? If yes, what age range? *

Would you consider a sheltie mix? *

• Yes
• No

What size sheltie do you prefer? Would you consider a smaller sheltie?Would you consider an oversize sheltie up to 20"? *

The AKC Standard is 13″-16″ at the shoulder.

Other pets

Tell us about your history with pets.

Name and phone number of your veterinarian *

Please let your clinic know we will be calling so they can release information to us.
       

By filling in this information, I hereby authorize the veterinarian named herein to release information about me or my pet(s) to Austin Sheltie Rescue as necessary to evaluate this application. In order for the application to be considered, the veterinary records for current resident pets must be complete and up to date; all resident dogs and cats must be vaccinated, and dogs must be on heartworm preventative. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

Have you had a dog before? *

• Yes, spayed/neutered
• Yes, not spayed/neutered
• No

Why did you choose to not spay/neuter your dog?

What happened to your last dog?

Have you lost a pet (not through death)? *

• Yes
• No

Please describe how the pet was lost

Have you had a pet poisoned? *

• Yes
• No

Please describe how the pet was poisoned

Have you had an animal killed by a vehicle? *

• Yes
• No

Please describe how the pet killed

Have you had an animal die due to disease? *

• Yes
• No

What disease? Please share details.

Do you have any other animals in the home? *

• Yes
• No

List type, age, sex, and if they are spayed/neutered:

Due to the many health benefits accruing from spaying and neutering, as well as to prevent accidental litters, we require that all resident pets must be neutered/spayed.

Your household

Do you have children at home? *

• Yes, all over 5 years old
• Yes, one or more under 5 years old
• No

How many and what ages?

Where do you live? *

• House (Rent)
• Apartment (Rent)
• Condo (Rent)
• House (Own)
• Apartment (Own)
• Condo (Own)

For safety reasons, Austin Sheltie Rescue does not adopt to mobile/trailer home environments

Do you have the landlord's written permission to keep a dog and proof of pet deposit where required?

• Yes
• No

Please email a copy of the landlord’s permission and your pet deposit receipt; we will not do the home visit or adoption without it, nor will we contact landlords to secure these documents.

Do you have a yard? *

• Yes with chain fencing
• Yes with wood fencing
• Yes with other fencing
• Yes with no fencing
• No

The yard must be fenced.

What type of fencing do you have?

If you have a doggy door, does it open only into the fenced yard? 

• Yes
• No

If you live in an apartment/town home, is there a safe place to walk/exercise the dog?

• Yes
• No

Is someone home during the day? *

Please explain.

What provisions will be made for your sheltie if nobody is home during the day?

• Loose inside
• Loose in fenced yard
• In a crate

Is anyone in your house allergic to animals? *

• Yes
• No

Please explain how the allergy will be treated if you are bringing in a dog.

Do you intend to keep this dog primarily *

• Indoors
• Outdoors

Where will the dog sleep?  *

Please explain.

Are you planning to move in the near future? *

If yes, please explain. If yes, are you willing to give Austin Sheltie Rescue the new address?

Are you willing to allow an Austin Sheltie Rescue representative to visit your home by appointment? *

• Yes
• No

Caring for your sheltie

Are you prepared to assume the financial responsibilities of caring for an animal, including inoculations, heartworm preventative, veterinarian care, good quality food, licensing, etc.? *

• Yes
• No

Do you understand that the sheltie you adopt must be kept on monthly heartworm and flea preventative?  *

• Yes
• No

Do you understand that shelties are known for being barkers? *

• Yes
• No

Do you understand that shelties can be shy and aloof with new people? *

• Yes
• No

Are you prepared to do the extra grooming a sheltie's double coat requires? *

• Yes
• No

Do you understand that any rescue sheltie that you may adopt through Austin Sheltie Rescue will be spayed/neutered? *

• Yes
• No

What circumstances, in your mind, justify giving up a dog? *

Austin Sheltie Rescue

How did you hear about Austin Sheltie Rescue?   *

• Internet Search
• Petfinder
• Vet, Clinic, Pet Store, or Shelter Referral (provide name below)
• Dog/Obedience Club (provide name below)
• Breeder (provide name below)
• Another Rescue Group (provide name below)
• Friend/Neighbor (provide name below)
• Other (provide info below)

How did you hear about Austin Sheltie Rescue (other)?

Austin Sheltie Rescue works closely with other rescue groups around the state and nation, doing referrals and also deferring to those groups' service areas. If you are applying to other rescue programs as well, please advise us of that and which ones.

References

This must be someone other than your veterinarian. Examples: groomers, dog trainers, rescue organizations, other pet owners.

First Reference *

First

Last

First Reference Phone *

First Reference Email *

Second Reference *

First

Last

Second Reference Phone *

Second Reference Email *

Acknowledgements

Do you accept that the adopted dog may not be transferred to another party and that if the dog must be given up for any reason, he or she is returned to Austin Sheltie Rescue? *

• Yes
• No

Do you accept that to defray our program expenses for rehabilitating your dog and to help the next rescue sheltie there will be a $300.00 donation for an adult age 1-9; $350.00 for puppy under 12 months, $150 for adult age 10+, payable immediately by check, cash, or money order upon adoption and delivery of the adopted dog?  *

• Yes
• No

I have read and am in full agreement with the Austin Sheltie Rescue Terms of Adoption. By signing below I am attesting to the truthfulness of my answers.  I agree the adopted dog shall not be kept exclusively outside, will be on regular heartworm and flea preventive for life, and will receive good nutrition, all vaccinations, and normal health care. I understand that falsification of any of the above information will be grounds to disallow the adoption of a rescued sheltie. I further understand that Austin Sheltie Rescue will always be interested in our adopted dogs and may at any time inquire about the welfare of the adopted sheltie during the life of my dog and that I will respond in a timely fashion. I will also provide the coordinators with new e-mail addresses and changed home addresses and phone numbers as they occur, as well as annual updates on how my sheltie is doing in his/her new home. *

By providing your full name above and the date below, you are agreeing.

Date / Time *

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