The Adoption Process
For Bichon FurKids, the most important aspect of what we do is to ensure that our rescued dogs find happy and secure Forever Homes. Our goal is to be as thorough as possible in matching the wonderful dogs in our care with wonderful applicants seeking to add loving ‘furkids’ to their families.
Here is how our process works:
Applicants begin by completing an Adoption Application. When you complete and submit it, the form goes directly to a committee which will review your application. You will then be contacted by our Applications Coordinator who will advance your application, if appropriate, and request that a home and yard safety check be scheduled. (Because bichons and bichon mixes are fairly small and generally quite agile, we want to be sure that your home and yard are safe environments for our fur kids.) Upon being approved, one of our Placement Team will contact you to talk about the FurKids in our care – and who represents a viable addition to your family.
At that point we will share your application with the appropriate foster moms and dads. You will have an opportunity to speak with them, ask additional questions and schedule a time to meet the FurKid in whom you are interested. With all of our puppies and young dogs, since they are energetic, enthusiastic and curious, we require them to be adopted to homes where they will have LOTS of companionship. It is our belief that bichons do best when they are not left alone for more than a few hours.
Our adoption fee is $500 for dogs over one year. For puppies, under one year, the adoption fee is $750. We do not separate bonded pairs and there is a fee for each dog. Adoption donations for Senior dogs (10 years or older) will be quoted prior to the adoption meeting.
Our goal is to find forever homes for our dogs and to provide a high standard of living regardless of age. All of our dogs are up to date with shots, spayed or neutered, and ready to become a part of a forever family. They are also microchipped. All come with supplies including a bed, blanket, leash, collar, food, vitamins and training CD. Many are already trained and all are socialized.
We appreciate your awareness that there are many wonderful fur kids looking for Forever Homes – and we look forward to meeting you through our adoption process.
The Surrender Process
Bichon FurKids Rescue wants to help Bichons and Bichon mixes that can no longer be cared for by their current owners. We then find loving, forever homes for dogs surrendered to our care.
Our surrender fee is predicated on the age and health status of the dog being surrendered. We take into consideration the dog’s current medical situation, recent dental work and boosters and any additional requirements. Each surrender fee is identified on a case-by-case basis and communicated with the owner surrendering the dog. Your dog should be groomed, up to date with shots, spayed or neutered, and ready to become a part of a forever family. We will let you know what your fee will be after evaluating your dog. And, unlike some other groups, we do not separate a bonded pair. The surrender fee applies to each dog.
Before contacting us to surrender your dog, please review our Surrender Form and Agreement. When you are ready, complete the Surrender Form and Agreement and one of our representatives will contact you to see how we can help.
Our surrender process will include the following steps:
- Owner completes the Surrender Form and Agreement
- Owner sends photos of their dog to daria@bichonfurkids.org
- Owner completes Biography Form for their dog.
- BFK contacts the owner to review the surrender form and make an appointment to interact with the dog
- BFK representative meets owner and dog, reviews vet records and performs temperament assessment
- BFK representative provides BFK Board with interaction details and recommendations
- BFK Board decides if the dog will be accepted into rescue
- If accepted, BFK will find a foster home for the dog
- Once the foster home is determined, BFK will make arrangements to pick up the dog from the owner
- Once the dog is in foster care, our Adoption Process will begin