Question 1

How much does it cost to adopt? Where does that number come from? What is included in adoption fee?

Accepted Answer

Our adoption fees are as follows:
Dogs up to 7 Years old $400
Dog (7+ years old) $200
​​
All of our adoption fees include the following:
Spay/Neuter
Age appropriate vaccinations
Dewormimg
Flea/tick treatment
Heartworm test (if the dog is over 6 months of age)
Microchip​ and lifetime registration
We offer a $50 refund of your adoption fee if you complete an obedience class within 6 months of adoption.

Question 2

Are your puppies and dogs up to date on shots? What am I responsible for after adopting?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all age appropriate vaccines will be administered prior to adoption for all of our puppies and dogs. If your new family member is not spayed/neutered at the time of adoption, when it goes for its spay/neuter appointment, it will get any remaining vaccinations it is old enough to get, including a rabies vaccination if 12 weeks or older.  After that time, any remaining or annual vaccinations as recommended by your veterinarian are your responsibility.

Question 3

What is your current Adoption radius?

Accepted Answer

We keep our adoption radius to within approximately a 90 minute drive from Buffalo.  Keep in mind, one of our volunteers will come to your home to complete a home visit.  Typically we can find a volunteer to travel to most places if the household has no other pets and is willing to come to the Buffalo area for meetings with the dogs.  Following that, we will have the foster of the dog you want to meet also come to your house if you currently have another dog for a meet and greet.  For these reasons, we do have a limitation on how far we can adopt.  We also do welfare checks on our adopted dogs from time to time to make sure that our application process is the best it can be and our rescues are ending up in happy homes.  We may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for those applicants that don’t currently have other dogs.

Question 4

Can I live in an apartment and still adopt?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We do, however, required to see a copy of your lease with both parties signatures. We will also need to speak to your landlord or propety manager to verify any restrictions on size, weight or breed which we will then note on the approval card if you are approved. Our first concern is for the well-being of the dog, therfore we consider apartment and yard size in reation to the size/activity level of the dog that you may be interested in.

Question 5

How long is the home visit?

Accepted Answer

That depends on the volunteer, but typically approximately 45 minutes by the time we check to make sure it is a safe environment for a dog. This is a great time for us to find out what kind of dog you are looking for and that suits your lifestyle and answer any questions that you may have.

Question 6

Why does my current dog have to be spayed/neutered?

Accepted Answer

Unplanned litters along with breeding are main reasons why so many dogs and puppies are in shelters all over the United States. Rescues try to find homes for homeless pets and we strive to control the pet population by encouraging everyone to have their current pets spayed.neutered. Neutering your male dog will also completely eliminate its risk of ever getting testicular cancer. Spayng your female dog eliminates the the risk of her developing pyometria, a severa infection of the uterus that can be fata. It also greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors. In general, pets that are spayed/neuterd, live longer, healthier lives and "mating accidents" don't happen when pets are fixed!

Question 7

What is your adoption process?

Accepted Answer

Once you have completed and submitted an adoption application, a volunteer will contact your veterinarian and your personal references, then call you to schedule a home visit. We will ensure that your home is a safe environment for a dog, discuss what type of dog would be best for your family and guide you toward what we believe may be a good fit for your household. Once you are approved to adopt, watch our Facebook page or our website and when you see a dog that you are interested in meeting you can send us a private Facebook message or an email and then we will add your name to the list to meet that dog. Your names goes on a list for that dog and when it is your turn, your meet and greet will be scheduled!

Question 8

Where do your dogs come from?

Accepted Answer

We focus our efforts on "pulling" dogs from kill shelters in the south, where overcrowding (due to overpopulation) forces euthanization of many wonderful dogs each week. We also like to help local dogs in need from some of the local animal control facilities or occasional local surrenders.

Question 9

Do you have a shelter or building where I can view the dogs? Where are you lcoated?

Accepted Answer

We do not have a shelter. We are a foster-based recue in the Buffalo, NY area. Our dogs come up on a transport from kill shelters in the south and go into homes with families to begin potty, crate and leash training. The dogs will also learn socialization with other dogs, cats, kids, etc., depending what the foster home has as far as other pets and children.

Question 10

Can I apply to adopt even if I don't see a dog that I am interested in adopting at this time?

Accepted Answer

Yes! In fact, we encourage people to get PRE-APPROVED to adopt! Then, when you might see the 716 Paws canine that you've been longing for, you get added to its list right away and don't have to go through the approval process!

Question 11

How long is my pre-approval good for?

Accepted Answer

6 months.

Question 12

I am pre-approved and I saw a dog that I would like to meet. Now what do I do?

Accepted Answer

Message our Facebook page or send an email immediately to us once you see the bio of a dog that you are interested in.
   - Please list the name of the dog that you are interested in and let us know that you are           pre-approved.
   - We limit each adopter to being on 3 different dog's lists at a time.
   - Commenting on a photo will NOT get you on their list. You must send us a message or          email!

Question 13

I have not submitted an application yet, but see a dog that I am interested in meeting. What do I do?"

Accepted Answer

You are always welcome to meet any of the dogs we bring to adoption events, however, we strongly encourge you to get pre-approved if it's definitely the right time to add a dog to your family.

Question 14

I have submitted an application. Now what? How long until I hear from a volunteer?

Accepted Answer

You should be hearing from a volunteer within 3-5 business days. Please be sure to check your email and phone messages regularly. If you do not hear from anyone, please message our Facebook page or send us an email.

Question 15

How long does the process take to get pre-approved?

Accepted Answer

Depending on your schedule and the schedule of the volunteer, we usually get you pre-approved within 5-10 days.

Question 16

Why do you require a meet and greet with my dog?

Accepted Answer

We want to make sure the two dogs get along. Remember, relationships take time to build. Things may not be 100% perfect at the first meeting, but it's rare that dogs don't learn to get along. Dogs are pack animals and generally enjoy other's company once they get to know eachother.

Question 17

What happens at a meet and greet?

Accepted Answer

The foster will ask you to bring your current dog(s) outside to the edge of your property to meet on "neutral territory". A walk is encouraged while you chat, just so the dogs are aware of eachother's presence and get a general idea of smell. After the walk, you can let them sniff each other and even let them play together if you have a fenced in yard (we recommend leaving the leashes on). After a short while, the foster will take the new dog into your home to see how your dog tolerates the furry stranger. Again, relationships take time to build and dogs need time to find their place in the pack. A second meet and greet can be arranged if it is a dog that you have your heart set on.

Question 18

What is required in order to adopt a dog/puppy from you? (Dog tag with contact info, etc.)"

Accepted Answer

Our fosters are instructed not to leave the dog in the new home until the new owners have a leash, collar that fits and an ID tag for the new dog with the new owner's name and phone number (address is great too). Remember to register your dog's microchip!

Question 19

I adopted a dog from you. What do I do if I am having behavior trouble or I have any questions? Who can I contact?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the issue you are having. You are welcome to contact us first. After chatting, we will advise you if we think it would be best to contact a trainer or a behaviorist, as stated that you were willing to do in your adoption contract. Remember, no human is perfect and no dog is perfect but with time and patience, dogs become loyal and calm family members.

Question 20

What do I do if I can't keep my dog?

Accepted Answer

Contact us. We will do everything in our power to help you keep your dog. If it comes down to that you absolutely cannont keep the dog, we will post to our group to see if we have an open foster that can foster the dog, but you will have to keep the dog until we have an open foster, as stated in your adoption contract.

Question 21

How do I pay the adoption fee?

Accepted Answer

We accept cash, check, credit card, or Venmo.

Question 22

Do you accept donations?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We depend on them! Our rescue is run solely on donations, adoption fees and fundraising. We receive no government subsidy of any kind.

Frequently asked questions