What to Know Before Applying

At our rescue, we want every adoption to be successful—for both the animal and the family welcoming them home. Our policies may seem detailed, but each requirement exists to ensure the health, safety, and long-term happiness of our animals.

Health Requirements for Pets in Your Home
All pets currently living in your household must be spayed or neutered, up to date on vaccines, and on monthly preventatives. This helps protect all animals from illness, unwanted litters, and behavioral challenges. Exceptions are only made for documented medical conditions, with veterinary proof required. These rules ensure that any new pet joins a safe and healthy environment.

Home Verification & Landlord Permission
We require proof of homeownership or landlord permission. If you rent, we will verify approval with your landlord directly. These policies are in place to prevent any future housing conflicts and ensure your new pet can remain with you for a lifetime.

Puppy Spay & Neuter Policy
For puppies, our veterinary partners do not perform spay or neuter surgeries before 6 months of age. Adopters must agree to take their puppy to our designated clinic for the procedure. This appointment is scheduled before adoption, and the adoption contract is not finalized until the surgery is complete. This policy protects young puppies’ health and ensures they are fully ready for a lifetime in their new home.

Puppy Placement Policy
We do not adopt puppies together or place puppies into homes with other puppies close in age. Puppies require extensive supervision, training, and socialization, and placing multiple young puppies in the same home can make it difficult to establish proper boundaries and consistent training. This policy helps prevent behavioral issues, ensures each puppy receives individualized attention, and supports long-term success in their new home.

For certain breeds, we also require a fenced-in yard to provide safe outdoor exercise and prevent escapes. This is particularly important for active or large-breed puppies who need space to play and develop safely.

Puppy Early Training
Our puppies start early training in our care to set them up for success in their forever homes. This includes potty training, basic leash skills, socialization, and foundational obedience. Starting early helps puppies learn good habits, reduces stress during the transition to their new home, and lays the groundwork for a well-behaved, confident adult dog. Adopters are expected to continue this training at home to reinforce these essential skills.

Kitten Adoption Policy
Kittens under 4-6 months require special consideration because they are still learning social skills and developing lifelong behaviors. For these young kittens, we require that they either be adopted in pairs or join a home with at least one resident cat.

This policy ensures kittens have the social interaction and companionship they need. Without another cat or kitten, young kittens can become lonely, bored, or stressed, which may lead to behavioral challenges or difficulty adjusting to their new home. Interaction with other cats teaches kittens important life skills, including play boundaries, communication, and confidence, and makes the transition to their forever home much smoother.

Kittens must also receive age-appropriate vaccines and veterinary care, and adopters must commit to ongoing socialization and enrichment. By following this policy, we help kittens grow into well-adjusted, confident, and happy adult cats.

Meet & Greet Requirements (Dogs Only)
All adoptions require an in-person meet and greet at the animal’s current location. Everyone who will live in the home must attend, including any other dogs in the home. This allows us to ensure the animal is a good match for your family and that introductions with other pets go smoothly. We do not ship animals, as in-person interactions are critical for safety and bonding.

Home Checks
Home checks are required for every adoption. This step allows us to see where the animal will live, discuss safety measures, and answer any questions in person. For out-of-state adopters, home checks can be conducted virtually or with the help of a trusted volunteer. Home checks are about supporting the adoption process, not policing it, and help set every animal up for long-term success.

Foster & Placement Policy
Fosters play a central role in the placement process. They know each animal’s personality, needs, and ideal environment best, and therefore have the final say in placement. Animals are not placed on hold. If another adopter applies, is approved, and is a better fit, we will move forward with that placement. This ensures every animal goes to the home that meets their unique needs.

Application & Approval
Approval of an application does not guarantee placement with a specific animal. You may be a perfect fit for one animal and not another. Our goal is always to match animals with the homes that best meet their individual needs, creating long-term success for both the pet and the family.

Animal Health & Care
All animals in our care are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccines prior to adoption. We also maintain all animals on monthly preventatives and provide essential testing, including:

• Fecal testing

• 4DX testing for dogs

• Feline combo and triple testing for cats

In addition, we cover any required or medically necessary surgeries to ensure the animal’s health and quality of life. This includes procedures such as:

• Dentals

• Amputations

• Nose or palate surgeries

• Stomach tacking (for bloat prevention in dogs)

• Cherry eye correction

• Any other necessary veterinary surgeries

Let’s Talk Adoption Fees — Transparency Matters
We often receive questions about our adoption fees, and we believe transparency is important when it comes to rescue work and the care we provide.

We are a small, foster-based animal rescue located in Eastern Kentucky. We do not receive government funding or large grants. We rely entirely on donations and adoption fees to continue saving animals in need.

Dog Adoption Fees

• Senior dogs & dogs already spayed/neutered: $200–$250

• Young adult dogs: $250–$400

• Puppies: $300–$500

Cat Adoption Fees

• Fees range from $25–$100, based on age and veterinary care

What Do Adoption Fees Cover?
Every animal in our care receives the best possible care. Adoption fees help cover:

• Spay/neuter surgeries

• Vaccines & routine veterinary care

• Emergency medical treatment & medications

• Flea, tick, and heartworm prevention

• Food, kennels, bedding, and enrichment

• Toys, supplies, and daily care

• Trainers and behavioral support when needed

Many of the animals we take in arrive sick, injured, neglected, or unaltered. The cost to care for them often far exceeds their adoption fee, but those fees help offset expenses and allow us to continue helping the next animal in need.

Special Note for Long-Term Residents
Once an animal has been in our care for 8 months or more, we often lower or sponsor their adoption fees to help find them a loving home more quickly. This ensures that even our long-term residents get the second chance they deserve.