FAQ
Here you will find some of the questions we are
asked most frequently. If you don't find the
information you're looking for here, feel free to
contact us with your questions by using this form:
Contact LifeLong
Rescue.
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Who are we? [return to
top]
LifeLong Rescue is 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in
2000. We rescue approximately 40 puppies and dogs
every year. We are a completely volunteer run
organization based out of the Dallas Fort Worth
Texas area whose purpose is to rescue and
rehabilitate dogs and puppies that have been
abandonned in mostly rural areas. This often
means locating these dogs, winning their trust
and bringing their health back to an optimal
level. Our hope is that all dogs and puppies
placed through our organization will never
experience being homeless or unloved again.
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Where do our dogs come from? [return to top]
Most of our dogs and puppies come to us from
rural areas outside of the immediate Dallas Fort
Worth Texas area where they have been abandoned.
Many shelters do not have the means to
rehabilitate or care for these sorts of stray
dogs — many of which are pregnant moms who
need extra TLC. Few of these dogs would have any
chance at all of even making it into a shelter.
Most them either live short and horrific lives as
strays or are captured and promptly euthanized.
These are the true underdogs of the rescue
world.
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How much does it cost to adopt a dog or
puppy? [return to
top]
The adoption fee for puppies is $300. ($50 of the
adoption fee is refunded after proof of
completion of puppy classes). The adoption fee
for our adult dogs (over 1 year old) is $175. The
adoption fee includes spaying/neutering,
microchip implanting, removal of all parasites,
first DA2PP vaccine(s), first deworming, vet
check, collar, training DVD, and initial 5-10lbs
supply of food.
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Where is your shelter located? [return to top]
Although our goal is to someday have a facility,
we currently do not have a shelter. Our puppies
are fostered in private homes by
volunteers.
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How can I meet the puppies? [return to top]
You can meet the puppies at one of our adoption
events. When we have available puppies for
adoption the event schedule will be posted on our
website.
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I can't make the scheduled event. Can I come meet
the puppy somewhere else? [return to top]
Unfortunately we can only show the puppies at
scheduled events since they are all fostered in
private homes.
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I can't make the scheduled event. Can you hold
the puppy for me? [return
to top]
We are unable to hold a puppy for a potential
adopter. If we do not find suitable homes at the
first event we will hold a second event.
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Do you know the breed and parents of the rescue
puppies? [return to
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Normally we do not know the parents of the
puppies and we can only guess what the breed
might be. Most puppies rescued were abandoned.
Whatever information we have will be posted with
the puppy photo on our website.
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How big will the puppy get? [return to top]
We normally have no idea how small or large the
puppy will grow. We make a guess as to the size,
but without knowing the parents it is impossible
to know for sure. We had one litter that two
veterinarians predicted would grow to be large
dogs, yet the puppies maxed out at 34 pounds when
grown. Another litter everyone thought would be
medium sized since the mom only weighed 45
pounds. All the puppies grew to be close to 90
pounds! For that reason we do not suggest
adopting a rescue puppy if size is an issue. It
is not in the best interest of the dog when a
family calls to say they can't keep the dog
because it grew to be larger than they
expected.
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Can I adopt two puppies? [return to top]
More often than not, adopting two puppies is a
problem. The puppies tend to bond to each other
and not their humans. It is a lot of work to
train one puppy and almost impossible to train
two puppies at once. There are also cases where
siblings start to fight once they reach their
adult age. For these reasons we do not adopt out
two puppies, rather encourage families to raise
and train one puppy to at least a year old before
adding a second puppy.
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What is your adoption process? [return to top]
Our adoption process is involved because we do
everything in our power to ensure the adopters
are aware of the time, energy, and patience it
takes to raise a puppy and that they will be
committed to the life of the dog. The first step
is completing an online application. The second
step is to come meet the puppies and our
organization at a scheduled event where the puppy
you're interested in will be shown. At the event
one of our adoption counselors will interview you
and go over your adoption application. It
normally takes a week to be notified if we feel
you are a good match for one of our puppies. The
third step is a home check to ensure a safe
environment for the puppy.
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"How are the interviews conducted at the adoption
events?" [return to
top]
Adoption interviews are conducted on a
first-come, first-served basis. Please sign in
when you arrive. We have a limited number of
interviewers and often many people interested in
adopting the puppies. Because of this, please be
aware you may experience a wait. Thank you in
advance for your patience. Please arrive on time
as there is an introduction at the beginning of
all our events.
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How do you determine who gets to adopt a
puppy? [return to
top]
Through our adoption process we strive to
determine if you understand the emotional and
physical needs of raising a puppy. A puppy takes
an enormous amount of time, patience, energy, and
training if he/she is to grow up to be a good
dog. Our goal is that any puppy or dog adopted
through our rescue receives a lifetime commitment
from his new family no matter what physical or
behavior problems may arise throughout his
life.
The adoptions themselves are based on several
criteria and finding the best match for both the
puppies and the adoptive families. Everyone will
have the same opportunity to be considered
regardless of the order in which they
interview.
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Why do you require home checks? [return to top]
We require home checks to ensure the safety of
the puppy. We check the yard to make sure the
fencing is high enough and that there are no
areas by way of which the puppy can escape. We
check inside the home to ensure there is an area
to confine the puppy while potty training and to
ensure there are no children under the age of six
living in the home.
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Why don't you adopt to families with children
under the age of 6 years old? [return to top]
80% of puppies adopted to families with children
under the age of six are returned to a shelter.
Puppies are extremely cute when they are little
but large breed dogs triple in size within just a
few months. A pup's normal behavior is to jump
and bite. When a gangly 30-40 pound puppy is
biting and jumping on small children the child
suffers and usually the puppy is then banned to
the yard. A puppy needs a rigorous schedule of
supervision, training, and exercise. This is very
difficult when there are children in the home
that also need constant supervision. For these
reasons we encourage families to either wait
until their youngest child is at least 6 years
old or consider adopting an older dog for the
family.
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Do you provide adoptions outside of the Dallas
Fort Worth, TX area? [return to top]
We rarely make an exception to adopting out of
the area. Since we require home checks it is not
feasible for our volunteers to travel long
distances. The rare exception would be another
local rescue in your area making the home visit.
We also discourage families from traveling long
distances to visit our puppy events, because we
cannot guarantee the adoption of a puppy.
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Which cities will you adopt to? [return to top]
If you are more than 1 hour outside of Dallas
Fort Worth Texas, then most likely you are too
far from us. If you are on the outskirts of that
range please apply online first and we will
respond with whether or not we will be able to
consider you for a puppy or dog as it often
depends on how close you are to one of our
volunteers.
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How do I become a foster? [return to top]
If you're interested in becoming a foster for
LifeLong Rescue, please visit this page: Foster
Information and Application
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Do you accept youth (under 18) volunteers?
[return to top]
Becuase the puppies are all fostered in our
private homes, we do not have a facility for
volunteers. We do occasionally need youth
volunteers at our adoption events to sit in the
pens with the puppies but a parent or guardian
will need to be with you the whole time.
Therefore, we generally ask that your parent
volunteers with you at the same time.
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What are the volunteering opportunities?
[return to top]
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Fostering (see above)
- Transport (to & from vets, shelters,
etc)
- Home Checks
- Adoption Counselors
- Marketing
- Website Maintennance & Development
- Event Coordination
- Foster Coordination
- Administration
- Fundraising
- email us for details!
Thank
you for your interest in LifeLong Rescue!
