Before You Apply — A Word From Us

We love every dog in our care, and we love every family we work with. The most heartbreaking part of rescue is a return — a dog who bonded, and then lost their home again. Most returns are preventable with honest self-reflection before adoption.

This short guide walks you through the key questions about your lifestyle, your household, your experience, and your expectations. It takes about 2 minutes and ends with a personalized match profile you can share when you apply.

About your home
Who lives in your home?
Just meSingle adult household
Adults onlyTwo or more adults, no children
Adults with older childrenChildren 8 and older
Adults with young childrenChildren under 8 or infants
About your home
Do you have other pets?
Select all that apply
No other petsThe new dog would be our only animal
Another dogWe already have a dog
Cat(s)Cats live in our home
Small animalsRabbits, birds, guinea pigs, etc.
About your home
Where do you live?
Apartment — no yardOutdoor walks only
Apartment — with yard accessShared or nearby outdoor space
House with small yardFenced yard, modest size
House with large yard or rural propertyPlenty of outdoor space
Your lifestyle
How active is your household?

Think about the activity level you would actually include your dog in — not your personal fitness level. If you run marathons but your dog would stay home, choose the level that reflects what your dog's daily life would look like.

LowShort, gentle walks. A calm, quiet home life.
ModerateDaily 30-45 min walks. Active outings a few times a week.
HighLong daily walks, runs, or hikes. Dog would come along consistently.
Very highDog would join daily runs, outdoor sports, or farm work every day.
Your lifestyle
How would you describe your physical comfort with dog care?

Dogs require different levels of physical handling. There is no wrong answer — this just helps us find a dog whose needs are a comfortable fit for you.

Fully comfortableComfortable managing most physical demands — leash pulling, bending, getting on the floor, active handling
Moderately comfortableSome physical considerations, but comfortable with a calm, manageable dog
Some limitationsI do best with a dog that is very calm, light, and easy to handle
Your experience
Experience and time at home
Your dog ownership experience
First-time ownerNever owned a dog as an adult
Some experienceGrew up with dogs or owned one before
ExperiencedMultiple dogs or formal training background
Hours at home on a typical weekday
Less than 4 hoursFull-time work outside the home
4-8 hoursPart-time or hybrid schedule
Most of the dayWork from home, retired, or stay-at-home
Your preferences
How interested are you in training and working with your dog?

This is about your interest and enjoyment — not about whether a dog needs training. Some people love the process of teaching and engaging with their dog; others just want a companion to enjoy.

Not really my thingI want a companion to love and enjoy. Basic manners are enough for me.
Happy to do someI will reinforce good behavior and work on basics, but I am not looking for a project.
I love itI genuinely enjoy teaching, enrichment activities, and ongoing engagement with my dog.
Your preferences
Preferred age of dog
Puppy (under 1 year)I understand and am fully prepared for what this requires
Young adult (1-3 years)Past the puppy stage, still playful and bonding
Adult (3-7 years)Settled personality, often already trained
Senior (7+ years)Calm, lower energy, deeply loving
Open to any ageThe right match matters more than age
Your preferences
Do you have a size preference?

Size and energy level are separate things — small dogs can be very active, and large dogs can be very calm. Tell us your preference and we will factor it in alongside everything else.

SmallGenerally under 25 lbs
MediumRoughly 25-55 lbs
Large55 lbs and over
No preferenceOpen to any size
Your preferences
Any special considerations?
Select all that apply
Allergy concernsPrefer a lower-shedding dog
Barking is a concernApartment, neighbors, or noise sensitivity
Mindful of vet costsPrefer a dog without ongoing health conditions
No specific concernsOpen and flexible

Your Dog Match Profile

Based on your answers, here is the kind of dog most likely to thrive with you.

Ready to meet your match?

We reply to all applications within 24-48 hours and will reach out to discuss dogs that fit your profile.