So you want to adopt a rescue Sheltie: 

Please read through this whole page.  It should answer any questions you may have about adopting from us.

As you work through the adoption process, please understand that our primary concern is the happiness and welfare of the Sheltie.

Before you adopt a Sheltie, please make sure you know this breed.   Shelties have many wonderful traits, but they also have some not-so-wonderful traits.

* First of all, shelties are barkers.  They don't bark at everything, but a Sheltie will warn you if the UPS man arrives, or someone walks into your yard, or if something is not right!   If a barking dog will bother you, this may not be the right breed for you.

* Second,  Shelties shed.   This is a double coated, long haired breed.   Their coat does need a fair amount of care.  A good brushing at least once a week and a bath once a month will suffice.

* Third, Shelties can be very shy with strangers. A sheltie will be very affectionate and loving with its owners, but may be very shy with strangers.  If you are looking for a dog that will run and greet everyone who comes to visit you, this may not be the breed for you.   Often, a sheltie will hide when a stranger comes over.   Please consider this if you plan on hiring strangers to care for your sheltie while you are gone.

* And last, Shelties are a herding dog.  They herd children, squirrels, bunnies, etc.   Unfortunately, some Shelties also enjoy herding cars!   That is why a fenced yard is so important for the dog's safety.

An adult or a puppy? --  Please consider this -- Many people buy a puppy, and then work and work and work to get that puppy to behave like a mature adult.    Please consider the chewing, the potty accidents, the crying in the crate, the constant attention a puppy needs when making an adoption decision.  If you want a dog to act like a mature adult, then don't adopt a puppy! Shelties do not mature mentally until they reach 2 years of age!

A fenced yard  -- We do require a fully fenced yard to adopt a dog from us.  A physical fence shows us the commitment to a dogs safety that we need to see in an adoptive home.  Underground electronic fencing may or may not be acceptable depending on the Sheltie involved. Please be aware that a Sheltie can bolt through an electric fence in the heat of a chase, then cannot get back into it's own yard because of the electronic shock. Plus, strays, people, and children can wander freely into your yard.

Live in an apartment or condo?  -- We do not adopt Shelties out to apartments. Due to excessive barking, they do not do well in an apartment situation. We may consider placement in a condo -- depends on the situation and the activity level of the dog involved.  We know our dogs, please trust our judgement.

Work all day / Gone a lot?  -- A young dog or puppy will not do well in this environment, however a mature or senior dog will.  Please consider the welfare of the dog, and adopt a mature or senior dog if you are gone all day.  A senior dog will likely come already housetrained with basic manners, and trustworthy alone in the house.

Appearances --  Please don't insist on a Sheltie solely on it's looks.  We place our dogs in homes based on their temperament and habits.  

A Sheltie would be miserable as an "outdoor" dog, therefore, we won't even consider it.  A sheltie forced to live outside away from the family will bark excessively and become destructive.  Not a good situation!!   A Sheltie is a very loving and loyal dog, that needs attention and affection.   A Sheltie will want to be with the family, wherever that may be. We will only consider those homes who want a Sheltie as a family member.   Further, if in one of our follow up visits, we find one of our dogs is left outdoors unattended (which is in violation of our contract), we will reclaim the dog.  

Our Shelties can come from a variety of situations.   We get dogs out of shelters, owner turn-in, strays, dogs who are abandoned because of their owners death, etc., etc.  Rather than leave these dogs to die in a shelter, we take them in and address their needs.  We will treat any medical problem, spay and/or neuter every dog (no exceptions),  give them all vaccinations, and begin the dog on heartworm and flea protection.   The dog is bathed, groomed, evaluated and placed into a loving foster home.  Each dog stays in their foster home until a good match can be made.  We do not place aggressive dogs or known biters.  Rescue dogs usually have plenty of love, affection and gratitude to give back. And you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you saved a dog!

We do not have a shelter.  Our whole organization is made up of volunteer foster homes.  We have dogs in foster homes all over the St. Louis area.  So, it is not possible to go to a shelter to view all our dogs.  We ask that you submit an application first, and once you are approved to adopt, we will suggest a dog that we feel would be a good match, and then make arrangements for you to meet the dog in the foster home.  

We do not place dogs in homes that we do not believe will work out, so please respect our advice. Here are some general guidelines we follow:

* If you have young children (toddlers)  please don't ask for a puppy.   Young children hurt puppies.  We do not adopt to families with children under 6 years of age. By the time a child reaches school age, he/she is capable of controlling themselves and understanding how to help care for a dog.

* If you are elderly, please don't ask us for a puppy.

* If you are gone all day long, please don't ask us for a puppy or a very young dog. It's just not fair to the dog.  A bored Sheltie will bark excessively and may become destructive.

* If you currently own a pet that is not spayed or neutered, you will not be considered for adoption.  We work with responsible pet owners.  

* If your current pets are not kept up to date on all shots and preventatives, you will not be considered for adoption. Vet references are checked.

* If you are unsure as to whether you can commit to a dog for the rest of it's life, (regardless of whether you move, change jobs, or get divorced) then please rethink your decision to adopt a dog.  Adoption is for the rest of the dogs life.

Here are some things we insist on if you do adopt a Sheltie from us:

* The dog may never be allowed off a leash unless it is in a securely fenced yard -- is is part of the legal contract you sign at the time of adoption.  This breed spooks easily and will run off or can go into chase drive.
* The dog must be kept on Heartworm prevention medicine 12 months of the year, and and Flea Prevention medicine at least 9 months out of the year.
* The dog must be an indoor dog and treated as a member of the family. 
* The dog is never to be left outside when you are not home.
* The dog must wear ID tags at all times.
* The dog may only be fed premium dog food. No generic or bargain brand dog food. (We see the permanent damage done by low quality dog food only too often)

An average Sheltie will live 13-16 years -- so what age dog is best for you?

* Puppy through 1 yr. old.........Lots of chewing,  not reliably housetrained (needs to potty every 2 hrs round the clock), needs much attention and training, not good choice if you are gone all day.

* 1-3 Yr. old........ Still acts like a puppy,  may or may not be housetrained, will still chew, needs lots of play time/exercise to burn energy, will become bored easily if left alone too long, will chew or dig from boredom. Good choice for someone who is home only part of the day.

* 3-5 Yr. Old.......Able to be trusted alone in the house for short periods, needs several hours of play time/exercise daily, will become bored easily, may chew or dig from boredom.

* 5+ ....  A perfect dog.  Past the chewing stage, reliably housetrained, content to sleep while you are gone, will want to play for a few hours, but will be ready to sleep again when you do. Needs an hour or two of play time/exercise a day.  Best choice if you are gone all day long.

Rescue dogs range in age from puppies to 13 yr. olds.   Everyone seems to want the young dogs, so please consider opening your heart to an older dog.   They are so much harder to place, and most often are the best behaved.  They need homes just as much, if not more, than the younger dogs. Remember, some day you too could be old and unwanted!