Thank you for taking the first step towards adopting!

Please click the blue button below and fill out each section of the application with as much detailed information as possible. You must be 21 or older to enter into an adoption contract with Brown Dog Coalition. The application does not guarantee you a dog. We will respond within 72 hours of submitting your application. Please only apply if you are looking to adopt a dog in the immediate future.

Please only submit applications via computer. We will not receive applications sent by phone. If you have been approved with another rescue, we may be able to accept their application and approval. Please forward to adoptions@browndogcoalition.com.

Dog Adoption Application

Thank you for your interest in adopting a dog! Please fill out the application with detailed information about training and management plans, enriching activities, and experience with dogs.

If you are applying for a cat, please navigate to the Cat Adoption Application in the top bar of the website.

Have you read our Dog Application and FAQ pages completely?

Please read our Application and FAQ pages entirely. Adoption and application requirements can be found on this page. Thank you!

Name

First Name

Last Name

Co-applicant (if applicable)

Address

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Cell Phone

(###)

###

####

Home Phone

(###)

###

####

Email Address

Primary applicant's email address

Year of birth

You must be 21 or older to adopt

Occupation

HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION

Please list all humans living in your home (name, age, relationship, occupation):

Include name, age, relationship, occupation

Do children visit your home often?

If so, please list their ages.

Describe your home's activity level

Does anyone in your household have allergies to animals?

If so, please explain.

What type of home do you live in?

House, apartment, condo, etc.

If you rent, please provide your landlord's name and phone number.

Additionally, please email a copy of the approval from your landlord to adopt to adoptions@browndogcoalition.com

We will not be able to process your application without it

Do you have a physically fenced in yard?

If so, please list the height and material.

Do you have or plan to use an electronic/invisible fence?

Please note: our adoption contract states that aversive training methods, including shock collars, may not be used on an adopted Brown Dog.

Yes

Have adults in the household discussed adoption and are they all on board?

It is important that an adoption has been thoroughly talked through and is approved by all household decision makers.

ABOUT YOUR NEW DOG

What is the name of the dog you are applying for?

Please list up to two dogs in order of interest. We ask that you only apply if there is a dog you are interested in.

Are there specific "must haves" that you are looking for in a dog?

Who is going to be the primary caretaker of the dog?

How many TOTAL hours a day will your new dog be left unattended and where will s/he be?

***Please specify the time left unattended during quarantine *AND* time left unattended when regular work schedules resume!***

How do you plan on exercising your dog?

Will you take the dog to a positive reinforcement training class or hire an in-home trainer?

***A positive reinforcement training class or in-home trainer is required for most adopters.*** Our adoption contract states that any aversive training methods, including prong, choke, and shock collars may not be used on an adopted Brown Dog.

Yes, we plan on it

Yes, if contractually required

Have you had previous experience attending a dog training class/session?

Our adoption contract prohibits the use of prong, choke, and shock collars on adopted dogs.

What is the name of the dog trainer or training facility you plan on using?

If a behavioral issue arises, what would you do?

Are there any behaviors that you are not willing to work on?

Under what circumstances would you rehome a dog?

What do you estimate the annual cost of a dog is?

Are you willing to give the dog at least 30 days to settle in, even if it involves changing your routine, some house training accidents, and/or seeking professional training help?

Who will take responsibility for this animal if you are no longer able?

(decline in personal health, extreme lifestyle changes, behavioral issues)

PET EXPERIENCE

Please list all animals currently living in your home (name, age, breed, gender, spayed/neutered)

Include name, breed, age, gender, spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccines, heartworm preventatives, date/year of adoption.

Please describe any other animals you have had in the last 5 years

Include name, breed, age, gender, spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccines, heartworm preventatives, the reason you no longer have the animal

If you have had pets in the past five years , who is the veterinarian who saw your pets and what is the phone number?

**Please let them know we will be contacting them. Failure to do so could delay the processing of your application.**

Have you given permission to your vet to talk to us? Under whose name (client and person) is your pet listed under?

**Please let them know we will be contacting them. Failure to do so could delay the processing of your application.**

Have you ever given away or surrendered a pet?

If yes, please explain.

PERSONAL REFERENCES (2 NON-FAMILY MEMBERS)

Please provide 3 references (2 NON-FAMILY MEMBERS) and let them know we will be contacting them.

First reference

First Name

Last Name

Relationship

Phone number

(###)

###

####

Second reference

First Name

Last Name

Relationship

Phone number

(###)

###

####

Additional Information

Why are you looking to adopt?

What kind of life will you provide your adopted dog?

How did you hear about us? (Brown Dog Web site, Petfinder, Adopt-a-pet, Facebook, Instagram)

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

When are you ready to adopt?

Please note a specific date that you would be ready to bring the dog home, taking into consideration any commitments or things you need to do to get ready. We are not able to hold a dog if another adopter is ready to adopt.

Adoption Agreement

I understand that Brown Dog Coalition is not able to guarantee any animal's age, breed, or temperament. I understand that omission of information or failure to answer all questions on this application will delay the application process. I understand that completing this application does not guarantee me a dog.

Yes

Word application ⇣

FAQ

A Dog's Journey

Our adoption contract states that aversive training methods, including prong, choke, and shock collars, may not be used on an adopted Brown Dog.

Adoption Process

1. View our available dogs online and read through our adoption requirements below.

2. Complete the online application (above). We will respond within 72 hours to confirm receipt. We review applications in the order they are received until we find the best fit. Please only apply when you are ready to adopt.

3. Please contact your veterinarian and references to inform them that we will be calling them. Many veterinarians will not release information until you call them to give them permission to speak with us.

4a. IF AN ANIMAL IS IN AN ALABAMA FOSTER: We will email prospective adopters a dog’s behavioral questionnaire (filled out to the best of their foster’s ability) and more information about the pick up process. Pick up of a dog starts a 48 hour 100% refund return period. There is also a 7 day return period where the adoption fee is refundable minus $75.

4b. IF AN ANIMAL IS IN A MASSACHUSETTS FOSTER: We will coordinate an in-person meeting and provide more information about the adoption process. There is also a 7 day return period where the adoption fee is refundable minus $75.

5. Once an adoption is agreed upon, the dog’s medical paperwork, adoption contract, and microchip information will be shared and reviewed either in-person or via online meeting. Adoption payment must be made via PayPal or Zelle.

Adoption Requirements

Applicants must be 21 years old or older.
Applicants must be within driving distance of MA.
Applicants must provide a vet reference, if applicable, to verify current and previous animals have been spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and receive monthly heartworm preventative. Please include all vets where your animals were seen.
Applicants must agree to not use prong, choke, or shock collars, including invisible or electronic fencing, or any similar devices on their adopted dog.
Applicants must agree to invest in positive reinforcement training with their adopted dog.
Applicants with children 5 years old or younger should include supervision, management and training plans in their application.
Elderly applicants should include a clear plan on who will take the animal if they become incapacitated.

Dog Adoption Fees

  
    Age
    Puppies (<6 months)
     Adults (6+ months)
    Seniors (7+ years)
  

    Fee*
    $575
    $550
    $400
  

*+$250 refundable spay/neuter deposit if not spayed/neutered at time of adoption, we will arrange for the surgery once they are old enough

What goes into an adoption fee?

Spaying/neutering
Fecal exam and de-worming
Microchip
Transport services
Quarantine boarding
No-slip martingale collar

*Age dependent

Health exam
Heartworm disease test*
Heartworm preventative*
Flea & tick treatment*
Rabies vaccine*
DHPP (distemper combo vaccine)
Bordetella vaccine*

Thank you for taking the first step towards adopting!

Adoption Process

Adoption Requirements

Dog Adoption Fees

What goes into an adoption fee?

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