Adoption application

Looking to adopt during COVID-19 shelter in place?

Remember your new dog will need the same walks, training, and investment when life returns to normal. This is a forever family member.
Many trainers are offering online sessions -- don't miss out on this critical time to learn & bond. Ask us for referrals.
Work in dog alone time (crated or in a pen out of sight) to avoid them developing separation anxiety.

Please know we are getting more apps than usual. We appreciate your patience and thank you for choosing to adopt, not shop. If you aren't finding the right dog with us, there are many wonderful shelters and rescues in the SF Bay Area who are still adopting at this time. We wish you the best in finding a match!

READ ME FIRST
Once you submit your application, it can take up to 5 days for us to get back to you. Please check your spam folder in case our reply ends up there.

Note for those outside of California:
We require in-person meetings with dogs and our team, and we don't (ever) ship dogs.

Adopting with Copper's Dream

* Indicates required field

Only adults may submit applications for adoption. *

Yes, I certify that I am at least 18 years of age

Who are you interested in? (LIST YOUR FIRST CHOICE and you can always add more when we email with you) *

Why do you want to adopt a dog? *

If you're looking to adopt a puppy, why a puppy? Are you familiar with the care and training needed, and what steps will you take to prepare? *

How long have you been looking for a dog? *

How did you hear about our rescue? *

Your contact info

Name *

First

Last

Address *

Line 1

Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Country

Phone Number *

Email *

Housing info

Do you own or rent? *

Own Rent

How long have you lived there? *

Any plans to move? *

If you rent, are there any breeds you're not allowed to have? *

If you rent, what's your landlord's name and contact info? *

Do you have a fenced yard? If so, what size? (We don't think a yard is required) *

Family info

How many adults in the home, and their relationship? *

Have all adults agreed to the adoption? *

How many children in the home, and ages? *

Have the children had pets before? *

Do you expect your family situation to change? *

Is anyone allergic to pets? If so, who and to what? *

Employment info

Employers for any adopting adults *

Position(s) held *

How long have you worked there? *

Work phone *

Current Pet info

Current pets? Please tell us their species, age, sex, breed (for dogs) and if altered or not *

Have you had pets before? Tell us about them and when. *

Have you ever given an animal away or relinquinshed an animal to a shelter? If so, what were the circumstances? *

Have you ever bred or considered breeding a dog for business or recreation? *

Yes No

If yes, what were the circumstances? *

Vet info (if applicable) *

New pet info

Who will be the new dog's primary caregiver? *

Can you describe an average day for a dog in your home? *

How much time will you give your new dog to adjust to your home? *

Can you afford an emergency vet bill of up to $5k? Note: Generally any hospitalization costs at least $1k. *

Yes No

Are you committed to providing a responsible home for your pet’s entire life (15+ years)? *

Yes No

If you have to move, what do you plan on doing with your pets? *

When you're out of town, or there's an emergency, who will watch your dog? *

Where will the dog be kept during the day ? *

Where will the dog be kept during the night? *

How often do you plan on taking your dog outside? *

How many hours a day will your dog be left alone? *

What would you do if your dog develops an issue with 1) Barking, 2) Separation anxiety, and 3) Aggression? *

References

Name *

First

Last

Phone Number *

Relationship to you *

Name *

First

Last

Phone Number *

Relationship to you *

Almost there! Time to review our policies...

Spay/Neuter Policy
Copper’s Dream makes every effort to spay and neuter our rescue animals before they are adopted. However, if an unusual circumstance arises where we are unable to do so, we require the adopting family to spay or neuter their new pet within two weeks and to provide proof of the operation by sending Copper’s Dream a spay-neuter certificate. Copper’s Dream Rescue will still arrange for and pay for the spay-neuter, but please note that ownership of the animal will not transfer to you until the operation is completed and the certificate of proof is received. Copper’s Dream reserves the right to reclaim any animal that is not spayed or neutered within two weeks of release to its new home.

Training
Copper’s Dream requires all new adopters to attend training classes. Dogs that are untrained have the potential to be destructive and develop behavior problems that will make a lifelong commitment very challenging. Also, dogs that do not return to you consistently when called have a much greater risk of getting hit by cars. For very experienced dog owners, we may make an exception if they are committed to in-home training that they do themselves. However, for puppies, the socialization that only comes from group training classes is very valuable and is hard to replicate with in-home training.

Animal Return Policy
Copper’s Dream Rescue will accept any rescue dog back within the first week after adoption. However, adoption fees are not refundable or transferable. Beyond the first week of adoption, Copper’s Dream will still assist with rehoming a rescue dog, but will require that adopters foster the rescue dog until a new home is found.

Release of Liability
Copper’s Dream makes every effort to communicate breed, age, health and behavior information about each rescue animal accurately. However, our staff and volunteers are not animal experts, and we do not conduct our own health and behavior evaluations upon receiving an animal from the shelter. We rely almost entirely on the evaluations conducted at shelters, which may or may not be done by professionals.

Initial here that you understand and agree to these terms *

Name *

First

Last

As a result, we require fostering, fostering-to-adopt, and adopting families to release us of all liability resulting from any wrong or incomplete information that they may receive about a particular animal, including but not limited to breed, age, health, and potential behavior problems.

Initial here that you understand and agree to these terms *

Dogs may act unpredictably when scared or in new situations and should always be introduced to adults cautiously. Do not introduce rescue dogs to children or cats without having a conversation with a Copper’s Dream director beforehand. Copper’s Dream does not require foster, foster-to-adopt, or adopting families to socialize dogs with people or animals outside of their immediate family, and any decision to do so must be taken solely at the risk of the fostering/fostering-to-adopt/adopting family.

Initial here that you understand and agree to these terms *

All fostering, fostering-to-adopt or adopting families must also assume all risks associated with having an animal in their home and/or introducing their rescue animals to third parties. Fostering, fostering-to-adopt, and adoptive families must release Copper’s Dream of all liability for any injuries or accidents that result from their rescue dog and also accept liability for any incidents that arise out of introductions of rescue animals to third parties. Copper’s Dream recommends that new families wait until they have become very familiar with their new pet and its temperament before attempting any introductions to people or animals outside of their immediate family.

Initial here that you understand and agree to these terms *

Off Leash Policy
In the first six weeks after adoption, Copper’s Dream Rescue requires that adopting families do not let their new dog off-leash in an unfenced area. Research has shown that it takes at least six weeks for an animal to form a new association to a human as its “pack leader.” Even after this six-week period, new dog owners should be extremely cautious to let their dogs off leash. Some dogs simply do not have the temperament to be off leash in unsecured areas. Please refer to your New Adoption Reference Sheet for more detail.

Financial Responsibility
Copper’s Dream requires that new adopters who would be unable to afford emergency medical care bills up to $5,000 purchase pet insurance at the time of adoption. Copper’s Dream considers the euthanasia of animals who are not elderly and have treatable conditions unethical, because an owner has trouble paying for the vet bills.

Commitment To Keep Any Copper's Dream Adopted Animals In My Possession
Copper's Dream expects adopters to commit to keeping a rescue dog for its natural lifespan. However, if unforeseen circumstances make this impossible, Copper's Dream forbids the relinquishment of its rescue animals to any private or public shelter. Instead, adopters must (1) communicate with Copper's Dream to explore the possibility of having Copper's Dream assist with rehoming the pet, and/or (2) find a new suitable home for their pet on their own. Adopters accept responsibility for all costs that Copper's Dream may incur to reclaim pets left at shelters in violation of the above commitment.

By signing below, I certify that the information I have given is true. I authorize the investigation of all statements in this application. I understand that Copper’s Dream Rescue reserves the right to deny my application for any reason. I also agree to abide by all of the policies of Copper’s Dream Rescue, specified above. I understand that while Copper's Dream makes every effort to communicate to new families the breed and age of their dog as well as any behavior or medical problems that they are aware of, they do not make any representation or guarantee about the behavior, health, breed or age of any rescue dog. Adopters accept all liability for their new pets.

Please Type Your Name Below to Indicate Agreement with All Copper’s Dream Policies:

Your name *

Submit Application