Adoption FAQ's

How do I adopt?    Adopting from Island Dog Rescue is different from many other rescue organizations as our primary mission is not adoption.  In addition to our “big issue” focus in the islands (rescue, spay/neuter, medical treatments, community outreach and education) we transport MANY dogs and puppies from the islands to stateside rescue organizations.  We also bring SOME dogs/puppies to Virginia Beach for adoption by our local supporters.  Our preferred adopters are people who believe in our mission and support our “big issue” rescue focus.   

If you are interested in adopting from IDR,  the first step is to fill out our electronic adoption application  (link is at the end of this document.)   Please do not message us and ask us if we have puppies available before you have submitted an application!  The sad reality is that we always have puppies and dogs available - it is just a matter of when we are bringing them to the area.  

Once you have filled out the application, our volunteers will review it as quickly as possible.  This could take several days (sometimes it only takes an hour!)   Please request to join the Island Dog Rescue Available Dogs in Virginia FaceBook group.  You do not need to wait to hear from us on the status of your application.    This group is where we post information about available dogs.  

After you have submitted your application, please connect with us via private message on our main Island Dog Rescue Facebook page.   Let us know that you have submitted an application, and what you are looking for.  If you are not quite ready to adopt, that is ok too - your application will remain on file and you will have access to the group page where we post information about available dogs.  You can reach out when you are ready!  We encourage you to get involved as a volunteer or perhaps a foster.

Be advised that sometimes it can be a quick process and sometimes people wait a month or even longer to find the right addition to their family.  The more information you can give us, the better we can help you.  

We constantly have new dogs coming into care on the islands that are going through medical protocols. We decide where to send them based on interest.  We cannot possibly list all of them so we use this informal matching process to decide which dogs will travel where and when.

Summary of the adoption application process:

1. Submit an application (link at end of this document)

2. Request to join the  Island Dog Rescue Available Dogs in Virginia page 

3. Connect with us via FB messenger to let us know you have applied and what you are looking for - or let us know you are interested in a particular dog that you see on our Available Dogs in Virginia page. 

4. Private messaging on our main Island Dog Rescue page is our preferred method of communication.  We have multiple volunteers that work together and it is easiest for us all to communicate here. 

We are a foster-based rescue and our dogs and puppies are often on hold for adoption before they even arrive.  We are fortunate to have so many people that believe in our mission and want to adopt through Island Dog Rescue to support our cause.  If you are solely looking for a cute puppy to adopt as quickly as possible, we urge you to explore other options.  Island Dog Rescue volunteers and supporters are given priority for adoptions.  

I am approved to adopt, now what?     IDR is a foster-based organization.  We do NOT have a facility.  You cannot come to look at the available dogs to choose one.  Many of our dogs/puppies are adopted before they even arrive.  A $100 donation serves as a deposit to hold a puppy for you on arrival.  

The full adoption fee is due before any dogs go home.  We have a 3-day adoption trial period.  After three days, if you feel the dog is not a good match, you will be refunded all but $100.   $100 of the adoption fee is considered a non-refundable donation to the rescue.  Our average adoption fee is $395 for most dogs.  The fees vary due to medical needs.  Sometimes we reduce the adoption fee in special circumstances.  

After the three-day trial period, no refund is issued. Matches sometimes don’t work out for a variety of reasons so we will continue to work with your family to find exactly the right dog for your home!

Why didn’t I get the dog I said I wanted?    We try very hard to match dogs with families and lifestyles. We often have history from dog's previous owners, fosters on the islands, or our own personal observations. If you express interest in a dog but we feel that it won’t be a good fit then please trust us. There is likely a more in-depth reason and nothing personal against you or your family.

Also, we work on a first-come, first-served basis (as long as we believe it is a good match!). If a person completes our application process and we deem it a good fit then we will honor that match. We constantly have new dogs traveling so if you get your heart set on a dog already promised to someone else then let us know. We might have a similar dog waiting in the wings!

What does the adoption fee cover?     The cost is to HELP cover vaccines, de-worming, transport, spaying/neutering, and (in some cases) micro-chipping. Our adoption fee is tax-deductible.  The adoption fee does not fully cover all of our expenses and we welcome all donations  (financial or your time.) We treat many dogs with life-saving surgeries and heartworm treatments, which never get publicized. 

Why doesn’t someone answer my message immediately?  We are fully run by volunteers who love dogs. We are trying to manage all of our hats and day jobs along with rescuing the sweetest dogs in the world.  Sometimes, we are great at it. Other times, we are a bit slower. We have several people who volunteer with us so you may not always speak to the same person. Please have patience with us. We typically try to answer messages within 24-48 hours. Days when dogs are arriving are always hectic so please give us some extra grace on those days. If you haven’t gotten an answer within 48 hours then please message us again. We are not ignoring you and it never hurts to get a gentle reminder.