Homes for Animal Heroes is committed to placing our dogs into permanent, loving homes, and we take many factors into consideration when matching a dog with a prospective owner.
The Adoption Process
Our Coordinators work directly with each dog’s foster volunteer to screen adoption applications for compatible owners and conduct phone interviews with all interested adopters. Applicants that are considered a good match for an available dog will receive an in-home visit to ensure compatibility with the rest of the people and pets in the family. Prospective adopters will meet the dog during this visit, and the Coordinator will provide a foster report detailing the dog’s diet, exercise schedule, sleeping habits, socialization history, progress with leash training, house training and crate training, and other relevant information.
Dogs and adopters are matched based on best fit for one another, not by order of application received. We cannot estimate the time it will take to match dogs and applicants, but we will do our best to bring you together as quickly as possible!
About Research Dogs
The majority of research dogs are “Class A – purpose-bred” to provide healthy, predictable models for study that allow researchers and physicians to obtain optimal data with a minimal number of animals.
Research animals receive exceptional care by specially trained Laboratory Animal Science (LAS) professionals, most of whom chose their career because of their unconditional love for animals and people. LAS professionals are responsible for caring for research animals 24/7, ensuring that all their physical, veterinary, and behavioral needs are met in support of the life-changing studies we continue to demand for all of our loved ones, including our pets.
Dogs in research receive top-notch nutrition, socialization, and play time with people and other dogs, in addition to names and plenty of love from their caregivers. (Watch dogs in a laboratory setting.) Research animals and their caregivers establish strong bonds with one another and dogs eligible for rehoming are often adopted by their caregivers or others on the research team when their studies are completed.
Homes for Animal Heroes works directly with research institutions to prepare dogs for their new lives and all of the new experiences and surprises that accompany family life in residential settings. Our dogs will be current on vaccines; heart worm and flea and tick prevention; and spayed/neutered prior to placement with their new families. And, unlike most animals adopted from other public organizations, fosters and owners of retired research study dogs from Homes for Animal Heroes will have the advantage of knowing their pet’s health history and temperament. We want you to be a good match for your new pet!
For Your Consideration
Any animal entering a new environment requires an adjustment period, and it’s common for dogs to experience separation anxiety when acclimating to new surroundings and new caregivers.
In addition, many former research dogs require house training and crate training. They may also need to grow accustomed to many common activities such as walking on a leash, using stairs, riding in the car, and not getting startled by the sound of knocks at the door, doorbells, household appliances, etc. This is why we work to place our heroes with foster volunteers who are experienced helping dogs acclimate to residential life.
Our fosters will help these canine heroes adjust to many of these new experiences prior to placement and will begin teaching the dogs basic commands.
Most dogs are engaging and adaptable animals that can be successfully rehomed with an adequate amount of time, training, love, and lots of patience! When you adopt a canine hero, your patience will be needed to continue this training and help the dog adjust to another new environment.
As with any new pet, they should be carefully introduced to other pets and children in your home. Our staff will be available to provide training resources and support throughout the rehoming transition and is available whenever you have questions or concerns about your new pet.
If you’re ready to take the next step, view the list of available dogs or consider fostering.
Want to start the application process now?
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Or download and complete the attached application, and return it to director.hah@naiaonline.org. We will notify the Program Coordinator in your state or where the dog is located if there is a particular dog you would like to adopt. |
