Adoption Policies and Fees

Step One, Check Out Our Dogs

Check our Available Dogs to see if there’s anyone who catches your attention. Feeling that vibe for one of our fuzzy buddies? Submit an Adoption Application for the. You can also include the names of any other dogs you're interested in. If everything lines up just right, our Adoption Coordinator will be in touch with you. Sometimes you may not hear back from anyone. We apologize that this happens. It may be because you were not considered a match or there could be other potential adopters ahead of you.

Mobile Adoption Events Are Back!

Meet adoptable dogs at an upcoming Mobile Adoption Event. They're held in San Francisco on Saturdays. The specific location varies, so check our Events page for up-to-date locations and dates.

Two Week Trial Period

As part of every adoption, there is a two week trial period. If you find the match is not a match after all, the dog is welcome back and your adoption fee is refunded. 

General Policies

Newly rescued dogs will not be readily available for adoption until after seven days to allow us time to evaluate the dog and its needs, both medical and emotional. Once a dog's profile appears on our website, you are welcome to submit an adoption application. The foster home will also have the first option to adopt the dog after seven days.

We adopt dogs to homes in the Northern California Bay Area. Very few exceptions are made, and we never ship dogs. We receive many outstanding applications from people in the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and Southern California. The issue with long-distance placements is this: we have no reliable way of getting the dog back to us if the adoption falls through. For this reason, we must refer these applicants to rescues in their respective areas.
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Please email adoption@wonderdogrescue.org with any questions or suggestions!

Adoption Fees

If you are a Veteran, please get in touch with us about the Pets for Vets program.
If you are over 55, your fees are waived with our Silver Paws program.
Please contact us if you have unique financial needs.

Review & Pay Adoption Fees

Adoption fees cover medical needs, which always include vaccinations and neutering.
Some of the other costs associated with rescue include:
  • Food, toys, treats, leashes, collars, sweaters, cleaning supplies
  • Grooming of badly matted dogs
  • Vet visits and medicine
  • Exceptional medical fees for certain dogs
  • Utilities – it costs a lot to keep them warm in winter!
  • Telephone and Internet access
  • Insurance (auto and liability)
  • Bookkeeping (essential for a non-profit)
  • Laundry – we wash a lot of dog beds and blankets!
  • Transportation costs: gas, van maintenance, etc.

To this, we must acknowledge the care of our hospice dogs. These sweet animals will probably never be adopted because of their age or physical condition. But they, too, have medical needs. Please know that your adoption fee goes to support the costs directly associated with your dog as well as keeping our doors open to the many dogs we’ve helped. We cannot do it without your support, and we are so grateful to you for saving a life. In exchange, we offer you lifelong support. We encourage you to contact us with any questions about your dog’s medical, nutritional, or behavioral needs. We’re here to support the adoption in any way possible.

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