We strive to find the best home for the Airedale in our care. When we receive an application, we consider the profile of that person/family, initiating the following steps when we have an Airedale that we think might be a good fit for that home. Given that we are volunteer-based, we may or may not contact you right away but wait until we have an appropriate match.
The process of adopting an Airedale from West Coast Airedale Rescue (WCAR) is outlined below. Each step is successfully completed before moving on to the next.
Step 1: Read about our Policies outlined below and the Frequently Asked Questions on our FAQ page prior to moving to Step 2.
Step 2: Submit Application. Complete the Adoption Application via this link.
Step 3: Review of application. A volunteer will review the information you have provided to determine if it is likely that one of our rescued Airedales would be a match for your home.
Step 4: Veterinary Reference Check. A volunteer will verify your veterinarian as listed on your application to ensure that your current or recent pets have received regular veterinary care, are up-to-date on vaccinations and spayed/neutered.
Step 5: Phone Interview. A volunteer will contact you either via email or telephone to follow-up on the information you have provided and answer any questions you might have about our organization, adoption process, or the Airedale we have in mind (if applicable).
Step 6: Home Visit. A home visit is when a team member comes to your home to meet you/your family in person, other pets in the home and to get a sense for the overall environment you can offer one of our Airedales. This is also an excellent time to ask any questions or concerns you might have.
Step 7: Meeting. Once all of the above has been completed and an Airedale comes into our care that seems like he or she might be a match for you, a volunteer will contact you to set up a meeting time & place for an introduction.
Step 8: Adoption. If the adopter and volunteer mutually agree to the adoption, an adoption agreement will be signed. We don’t have adoption fees per se, but do ask for a donation to National Airedale Rescue in the amount of at least $500 to help us continue our rescue efforts.
Do you wonder why we ask for a donation for a rescue pet? Why not just place it in a good home? The answer is because we cannot continue to rescue Airedales unless we have volunteer and financial help. A young, healthy dog might cost us $150-$400 in vet care, with many people ready to adopt him/her.
An older Airedale with health issues can easily cost $500-$2000 or more in veterinary expenses, and it may require months of foster care for rehabilitation; and it may be a long time until the right home is found for adoption. We hope that you can help us provide an opportunity for a better life to ALL of our Airedales by supporting them through adoption donations. Without these funds, our rescue efforts would not be possible.
ADOPTION POLICIES
WCAR volunteers endeavor to ensure that each Airedale in their care is placed in the best loving, stable, and lifelong home. The Airedales we rescue do not have the ability to choose their new owners. It is up to us to act in their best interest. Every Airedale needs a home, but not every home needs an Airedale!
Adoptions are not done on a “first-come, first-serve” basis. Our goal is to make the best match between the Airedale and a potential home. If a potential adopter is not chosen for a particular Airedale, it is not a judgment on their ability to provide a good home for a dog. It just means that particular home was not the best match for that particular Airedale.
The volunteers of WCAR assist each adopter with the selection of an Airedale best suited to their lifestyle.
Potential adopters must demonstrate they are able and willing to provide for the needs of their adopted Airedale for his or her lifetime.
Criteria for Adoption
Potential adopters must be at least 25 years of age.
Potential adopters must provide veterinary references for current and previous pets, including telephone numbers.
Potential adopters must have an established residence and agree to a home visit.
Companion Animals
WCAR Airedales are adopted as family members and companions only, not as outside animals or guard dogs.
Spay/Neuter
All WCAR Airedales adopted will be spayed or neutered for the health and well-being of the animal and to make a positive impact on the pet population problem.
Identification
WCAR volunteers provide their Airedales with permanent identification in the form of microchips so that the Airedales can be identified if lost or stolen. The adopter must ensure that the adopted Airedale is wearing a collar and identification tag with CURRENT telephone numbers at all times.
Pets as Gifts
WCAR volunteers do not place Airedales as gifts. The person who will be primarily responsible for the Airedale must begin the adoption process and all members of the household must agree to the adoption.
Fences
If there are children under 10 in the household, you must have a fenced in yard. Airedales are big, active, mouthy dogs and can unintentionally hurt small children. A fenced in yard allows a “time-out” space for a dog that needs to run and play to burn off excess energy.
WCAR volunteers do not support or condone leaving dogs outside unsupervised for extended periods of time. Our Airedales must be members of the family. Airedales left too long alone in a fenced yard become bored and get into trouble. Many Airedales have ended up in rescue because they dug or climbed out of a fenced yard, or because their bored and lonely barking caused complaints from the neighbors.
Because most of our Airedales are high energy and have a high prey drive, we recommend physical fencing (not electric fencing) for the safety of the dog. “Real” fencing with locked gates helps to protect your Airedale from running away (pulling out of their collar or “blowing through” an electric fence) and becoming injured or getting killed by a car.
“Real” fencing with locked gates also protects your Airedale from other dogs, skunks, coyotes, foxes, and thieves entering your property and posing a threat to your Airedale. If you are interested in an older Airedale, fencing requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis. If you have had previous success raising an Airedale with an electric fence, include that information in your questionnaire.
Crates
Most WCAR Airedales have been crate trained in their foster homes. In a strange new home, their crate is familiar and safe. When an Airedale comes up for adoption we’ll talk to you about whether the dog has had crate training and whether it might need a crate.
If a crate is used, please be aware that it must be suitable for the size of the dog. It is also critical that the crate be large enough to enable the dog to fully stretch out, stand up, and turn around easily. The crate will keep your adopted Airedale and your household safe during the first few weeks of adjustment. We strongly recommend using the crate whenever the adopter is absent from the home, gradually extending the time the Airedale is allowed unsupervised freedom.
Ideally, you should arrange to have someone provide an exercise and attention period during the day. To be a well-adjusted family member, an Airedale needs human contact. Whether crated or not, your Airedale needs play time, training time, and a time to simply “hang” in the company of his pack (that’s you).
Children
We will not place any Airedale in a home with very young children. We have no way of knowing whether there might be something in the Airedale’s past history which would cause the dog to snap at a child over something as simple as tripping and falling nearby or trying to take a toy out of its mouth.
If the Airedale surrendered by his or her owner grew up around children, is reported to be good with children, has been tested as tolerant with children, AND your children are over the age of seven AND if you are committed to supervising your children at all times, we will consider placing an Airedale with you.
The Airedale must be of suitable size, energy level and temperament for the age/size of your children. We usually have a long waiting list for Airedales that are good with children. We don’t want to discourage you, but it could be a long time before you are matched with a suitable Airedale.
Landlords & Homeowner Associations
No Airedale will be placed where pets are not allowed. Before the time of adoption, potential adopters who rent are required to provide written proof from the landlord that pets are permitted in the residence (e.g. lease, written permission on letterhead signed by the landlord). Owners of townhouses/condominiums must provide contact information for the management company or an officer of the Board to determine that pets are allowed and/or there are no complaints on file regarding current pets.
Consent of Household Members
All adult household members, related or unrelated, including boarders or renters, must be informed and must consent to the adoption of the Airedale. All household members, adults and children, must be present during the home visit.
Other Pets at Home
All animals owned by the potential adopter must be up-to-date on vaccinations appropriate to the age of the dog before the person may adopt another pet. With very few exceptions, all other pets in the home must be neutered or spayed.
Adoption Agreement
You will be asked to sign an adoption contract, agreeing to comply with certain standards of care for the Airedale. If for whatever reason you encounter problems with your new pet that cannot be solved, you are required to return the dog to the Airedale Rescue coordinator who placed the Airedale with you and not transfer ownership to a third party without the specific authorization of the rescue coordinator.
Adoption Fee
If WCAR places a dog with you, you will be asked to make a donation of at least $500 to help with expenses incurred by our rescued Airedales.
Medical Conditions
All Airedales are adopted on an “as is” basis. Any condition requiring veterinary attention is treated before the Airedale is placed. We will do our best to make the adopter aware of any known medical conditions. Once adopted, all medical costs (including necessary dental care, appropriate vaccinations, rabies shots etc.) are the responsibility of the adopter. Please be aware that WCAR cannot guarantee the future health or behavior of any adopted Airedale.
Depending on the availability of funds, the National Airedale Rescue Seniors Fund may be able to assist with any extraordinary medical care required for an Airedale adopted at age ten or older. Adopters of senior Airedales are expected to pay for ordinary veterinary care.
Final Approval of Adoptions
Final approval of an adoption is at the sole discretion of the Airedale Rescue Coordinator responsible for a particular Airedale. Decisions are made after consultation with other volunteers and the foster home. It is based upon the well being of the adopted Airedale and the potential “match” with an adopter. We ask that all potential adopters respect the coordinator’s decision.