We require a home visit for all potential adopters. This is NOT a white glove inspection!! We simply want to meet the members of your family, as well as your current pets so that we can make sure the dog is a good fit for your family. This helps us to avoid returned dogs because there is a personality clash in the household.

 You must be 21 years of age and/or graduated from college. Owning a dog is a financial obligation that requires regular veterinary checkups and care. Veterinary care can be expensive. Please take this into consideration before adopting a pet.

 We will not ship a dog. While we will gladly accept applications from outide of our immediate operating area, car transport must be arranged between yourself and Almost Home. Please note, also, that if you are outside of our usual adoption area, we may have someone from a rescue in your area perform the home inspection step of our adoption process.

 You must be willing to make a 10 to 20 year commitment to the dog. Our dogs have often already had a difficult start to their lives, and our mission is to place our rescues in their Forever Homes. If for an unseen, unavoidable reason you are unable to keep your dog in the future, it must be returned to AHDRO.

 Collies and Shelties can be vocal dogs (though they are not all so). Please take your proximity to your neighbors into consideration if they may not be so understanding.

 We do not adopt out dogs to be given as gifts. Almost Home has a rigorous screening process, and we intend for the adopter to be the final caregiver for the dog they adopt.

 All dogs will be indoor companions. Collies and shelties are highly intelligent and highly social dogs. They are used to being part of "a pack" and should be kept indoors with you and your family. We have also rescue numerous dogs who were neglected and left outside. They come to us for a better life, and we are trying to find them a home as a family member, not as an outdoor "watchdog". We will not, under any circumstances, adopt to anyone who intends to keep their dog outdoors.

 We prefer that you have a fenced in yard, however we understand this is not always possible. If this is not an option, we must ensure adopter is committed to multiple daily leash walks in all kinds of weather (snow, heat, ice, pouring rain, etc.). We will look at this requirement on a case by case basis. Your dog MUST be kept on a leash unless it is in a secure area.

 If you are living in a rental property, you must provide written proof of landlord approval and payment of any required pet deposit.

 Collies and Shelties tend to have thick, multi-coat fur. They require weekly brushing, as well as the occasional bathing. You may want to set regular grooming appointments and take this cost into consideration.

 Even if AHDRO has microchipped your dog prior to adoption, your dog must wear an ID tag at all times.

 All current pets in the household must be spayed/neutered and current on all shots and vaccinations. Veterinarian references are verified as part of our screening process.

 Our adoption contract legally binds you to provide the dog with proper veterinary care, including a yearly wellness exam, up-to-date required vaccinations, and emergency care if necessary. You must also agree to keep the dog on monthly heartworm prevention and well as Inceptor. They cannot be put on Heartguard, as this can be fatal to the Collie and Sheltie breeds.

 Our adoption process intentionally includes several steps and cannot be completed in one day. Expect this process to take 1-2 weeks from the time you submit an application to the time the dog will be in your home.

 We reserve the right to deny an application without explanation.

 Use experienced volunteers in every area of their rescue.
 Are nonprofit organizations, and are not looking to make money from their rescue program.
 Perform a rigorous screening process including getting veterinary references.
 Require a home visit to make sure the dog is a suitable fit for your family and other pets.
 Groom and bathe all dogs they bring in. If you go to a "rescue" and the dogs are housed outdoors and are dirty, please be wary.
 Provide veterinary care prior to placement and disclose all potention medical issues or known behavioral problems.
 Spay or neuter all dogs prior to allowing adoption.
 Will allow you to bring the dog back to the rescue if you are unhappy with the dog or adoption in any way.