How long does the process take?

• Overall, the time elapsed between submitting the application and going to meet the dog you applied for is approximately 2 weeks.

• The most frequent reasons for delays include incomplete information on the applications, failure to provide permission to your vet to talk with us, difficulty scheduling the home visit, or problems scheduling the meet and greet with the dog.  

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You said you’d be in touch within 4 days, and I haven’t heard from you. What now?

• We try our best to respond to you within 48 hours, but we are a small rescue, and it may take us up to 4 days to respond.

• Occasionally, due to technical problems, we do not receive emails or applications. If you think that is the case, please follow up via email - inquiries@hedgesvillehounds.com   

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What is your adoption fee?

• We require a non-tax-deductible adoption fee of $300 for adult dogs and $450 for puppies. Please see the Medical Policy page for an explanation of what this covers.

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Do you have a shelter? Can I call you?

• All initial contact about the Hedgesville Hounds must be made over the Internet. We will email you once we have received and started to process your application. We are an all-foster home organization and do not have any sort of facility.  We rarely take our dogs to public adoption events.

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​Is your pet list up-to-date?

• We work very hard to keep our list up-to-date. If a dog has been placed or there is an application pending, we try to indicate this right away.

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Why don't you remove the dogs right away when there is an application pending?

• Sometimes these applications fall through -- people get transferred, someone gets sick, etc. As a result, we keep the dogs on the site until the contract is signed.

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This process takes a long time. What if I meet the dog and it isn't a love match? Do I have to start all? 

• We are happy to forward any of our approved candidates' applications to other rescues, along with the results of their vet reference and home visit. 

 

​What are your standards for adoption?

• Here are some, but not all, of our standards for adoption:

  • Current and past pets must be spayed or neutered and have a medical history of being up to date on vaccines and preventatives.

  • Fencing requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the dog and/or applicant's circumstances.

  • Regular veterinary care is required for all Hedgesville Hounds, including regular testing for heartworm disease and administration of preventives for heartworm, fleas, and ticks.

  • Prior pet ownership is not a requirement for adoption, and in such cases, you will be asked to submit 3 personal references.

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Are you 501(c)3?

• We are a 501(c)(3) organization, meaning that donations are tax-deductible.  Please see our Donate page for more information.

 

​Can I earmark money for a particular dog's care?

• Please!

 

​I can get a dog for less money at my local shelter.  Why is that?

• Our adoption fee covers vetting and other expenses for the dogs we rescue.  We do not receive any outside funding.  We rely on donations to cover the cost of caring for the dogs.

  • Typically, we do not break even when our dogs are adopted. We often spend more on their vetting and medical care than the adoption fee covers. 

• In contrast with most shelters, our dogs come to applicants up-to-date on shots and fully vetted, including the spay and neuter procedure. 

• Additionally, since we are an all-foster home organization, your new family friend has lived in a home and been part of a family, so we can provide you with a bit more detail than you will receive with most shelter adoptions.   

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​A few of these dogs seem to be with other rescues or in a shelter -- what's up with that?

• We work with many other like-minded rescues that share similar standards for placement. Sometimes they will flag us to a dog that is especially wonderful or especially needy, and we will post him or her on our site to give the dog extra "publicity."  We also do this for the shelters we work with.

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What happens if I decide not to adopt one of your dogs?  Does that put the dog at risk?

• All of the dogs listed by Hedgesville Hounds will be retained by our group until a good home is found, no matter how long it takes.  

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I've never owned a dog.  How am I supposed to provide a vet reference?

• You're not. 

• Vet references are designed to show that people with a history of pet ownership have been responsible.  Lack of a vet reference does not disqualify you from adopting with us. 

• If you do not have a vet reference and we decide to pursue your application, we will ask you for three character references.

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