Policy Concerning Adoptions

Adoption Policy

We ask that all prospective adopters send us an adoption application. Then come to visit the rescue dogs in Grand Prairie and meet with members of Doberman Rescue of North Texas, Inc. Unless we are satisfied that a prospective adopter will meet our adoption criteria, we will not allow them to adopt. We ask all potential adopters who have not already done so complete an adoption application when they get here.

We do our best not to adopt out dangerous dogs. As a rule, the animal control shelters we deal with will not allow us to rescue a dog that appears mean or aggressive. If a dog shows signs of aggression towards people after it is rescued, we withdraw the dog from the adoption program. Nevertheless, we cannot guarantee that a dog will not be aggressive, bite, or otherwise injure people. We therefore insist that all adopters agree in writing to hold us harmless and indemnify us if the dog causes injury.

We tell adopters about the behavior we observe.

We also spend a considerable amount of money on veterinary care and do our best to make sure the dogs are healthy, or at least that the adopter is aware of any medical conditions a dog may have. We cannot be sure, however, that we have observed all aspects of a dog's behavior. Nor can we be certain that all medical conditions have been diagnosed. We therefore make no warranties or representations as to the health, fitness, demeanor, or well-being of each dog.

Without exception, all dogs are spayed or neutered before they are adopted out. If you want a dog for breeding purposes, please call us. We will not have a dog for you, but we would like to have a long talk with you.

We ask for adoption donations so we can continue to operate. An appropriate donation for puppies (dogs under one year in age) is $350. For adult dogs with cropped ears it is $300; for an adult dog with natural ears it is $175.

We only adopt out dogs to people who meet all our requirements, who live within a two-hour dive of Doberhof, and who come to Doberhof to be interviewed.

We require all adopters to promise:

to care for the dog lovingly (including providing adequate food, shelter, water, veterinary care, and love);
to ensure the dog is maintained on heartworm preventive;
to keep all immunizations current and updated according to a veterinarian's schedule;
to license the dog in accordance with the laws and ordinances and to abide by the leash laws and ordinances of the municipality, county, and state in which the adopter lives;
to ensure that the dog wears a collar and identification tags at all times;
to keep the dog as a house pet, to be exercised in a fenced yard or on a leash, and not be allowed to roam the streets;
not to allow the dog to ride in the open bed of a pick-up truck;
not to sell, trade, or dispose of the dog in any way, before informing Doberman Rescue, which shall have the option of retaking custody of the dog;
that the dog will not be used for any medical or experimental purpose;
that the dog will not be kept chained or tied;
that the dog will not be trained or used as an attack or guard dog;
and that Doberman Rescue may examine and make inquiry regarding the dog at any time and retake custody of the dog if the adopter fails to abide by the terms of the adoption contract.

If a dog does not work out in a home, we encourage the adopter to return the dog and adopt another.

We invite any Doberman lover who would like to help with rescue to come to our regular Sunday open house. The work starts around 9:00 a.m., so if you can come early, we can use the help. The dogs need contact with lots of people and your help in socializing and playing with them is much needed. You are welcome to bring your Doberman(s) with you and make it a family outing. We have fenced play yards where you dogs can sniff for rabbits and have fun under the trees.

For more information about Doberman Rescue of North Texas, please feel free to email us or phone the rescue.