Why adopt a rescue?  

There is no better way to make a best friend than to adopt a rescue. Many of the dogs we save are on death row just days away from euthanasia before they’re brought to live in one of our safe, happy foster homes. The gratitude of being rescued from their fate is ever evident and the bond you build will last a lifetime.

Rescue dogs available for adoption

Meet the dogs available from Happy Hearts Dog Rescue. The majority of our dogs come from high kill shelters located in Texas and are currently residing in Foster Homes.

Adoption process

To make sure our rescues and adopters are a great fit, HHDR and interested adopters will go through the following process:

  1. Adopters fill out an Adoption Application by clicking the “I’m Ready to Adopt” button at the bottom of this page.

  2. HHDR will review the Application, check your references and speak with your Vet.

    NOTE: Adoption Application approval times vary, but we strive to approve applications with 72 hours.

  3. Once your Application is approved, we’ll set up a meet ‘n’ greet and a home check (COVID-19 Update: Home checks are performed virtually).

  4. If all goes well and your adoption is approved, we will send you an Adoption Agreement for your review.

  5. You’ll sign and return a copy of the Adoption Agreement along with the adoption fees. Your Adoption Agreement will include a customized list of the any remaining vaccinations and spay/neuter needed along with the time table in which you are required to get them.

  6. Once everything is in place, your new dog’s foster family will coordinate with you to get your new family member!

Adoption policies

  • We require all dogs that are currently in the Adopter/Foster’s Home to be up-to-date on vaccines, current on heartworm prevention (this means proof of monthly prevention must be provided) and all dogs must be fixed. 

  • You must provide proof of heartworm preventative being purchased within the past 6 months to one year. This requirement will vary depending on how many doses of heartworm prevention you purchase at a time.

    NOTE: We will not approve Adoption Applications if you cannot provide proof that dogs currently in the home take heartworm prevention every month without missing multiple months.

  • Young puppies who are not fully vaccinated must remain “paws off the ground” in public places (e.g., apartment complexes, dog parks, neighborhood walks, etc.) until 7 days after their final round of vaccines.
    NOTE: Puppies that are not fully vaccinated can only be adopted to homes with private and secured backyards. Parvo and distemper are highly contagious/deadly viruses. We take keeping our puppies safe very seriously at HHDR.

  • Our average adoption fee ranges from $200 to $250 which includes all first-year core vaccines, microchipping, a heartworm test (if the dog is 8 months or older), deworming, spaying or neutering (once the dog is over 6 months of age), and preventive meds (e.g. flea, tick and heartworm prevention while in foster care).

  • Please keep in mind that most of our puppies are spayed/neutered at 6 months of age, and adults are spayed/neutered as soon as appointments allow.

  • We do not adopt puppies or dogs out of the Austin area; if they are not fully vaccinated and fixed.