Foster and Adopter FAQs

How quickly can dog Foster Applicants expect a reply/approval? 

Since most dogs HHDR saves are considered urgent, we will reply and approve within 24 to 48 hours. 

How quickly may a Foster Applicant be asked to foster a rescue dog? 

Once HHDR has a confirmed foster home, a new rescue dog can arrive within 24 hrs to 7 days. Most people who help with transporting HHDR rescue dogs are volunteers, so timing also depends on how quickly we find a ride for the foster dog to be transported from the shelter to Austin. If the foster is available to pick up the dog from the shelter, that helps to speed things along.

How quickly can Adoption Applicants expect a reply/approval?

An email will be sent within 48 hours advising you of your application being received. Adoption Application approval times can vary*, but we strive to have them approved within 72 hours. If a dog receives high interest, the response time may be longer. If an Adopter is highly responsive and the references listed on their application respond quickly to HHDR, the Adoption Approval Process goes much quicker.  

NOTE: An approved Adoption Application does not guarantee you a dog. It secures you a meet-n-greet. Those meetings are scheduled in the order of approved applications received.

*HHDR is a small volunteer-based rescue with only two admins that handle all applications and emails. Your patience is greatly appreciated.

How quickly can Adopters expect to bring their new furry family member home?

The time it takes before Adopters can bring their new puppy/dog home is determined by how soon a potential adopter is available for a meet-n-greet and how quickly a home check can be scheduled. 

Once both the meet-n-greet and home check have been completed and are deemed a success, HHDR will send you an Adoption Agreement and link to pay the Adoption Fee. After the Adoption Agreement has been signed and returned to HHDR and the Adoption Fee has been paid, your new pooch will be ready to go live with their forever family!

What does the Adoption Fee cover?

The Adoption Fee helps cover HHDR rescue dogs’:

  • Spay/Neuter;

  • First-year vaccines (DHPP, rabies, Bordetella and/or Lepto);

  • Microchip;

  • Preventative meds while in foster care;

  • Dewormer;

  • Heartworm test (for dogs 8 months and older); and

  • Any other additional medical expenses while in foster care.

What does HHDR look for when reviewing Adopter Applications/Foster Applications and during meet-n-greets and home checks? 

HHDR tries to make the best matches possible, not only for our dogs, but also for the forever families adopting them. We do review Applications in order received. A few things that HHDR looks for includes:

  • Clean and safe homes

  • Secure backyards, when applicable (NOTE: Non-fully vaccinated puppies cannot live in a home without a private fenced backyard.) Many of our fully vaccinated dogs will require a fenced backyard at their house, this is determined on a case by case basis. This does not include apartment complexes. Electrical fences are not considered to be an acceptable form of a fence.

  • All dogs currently living in the Adopter/Foster home must be: 1) up-to-date on vaccines (dhpp and rabies, bordetella is highly recommended), 2) current on monthly heartworm prevention, and 3) fixed (spayed or neutered).

  • HHDR checks past dog ownership (ie: have you surrendered a dog or re-homed a dog?)

  • We look for patient families that will work on training with their new puppy/dog.

IMPORTANT: All HHDR dogs are inside dogs. They cannot be left outside alone for long periods of time (e.g. while you’re away at work or school). 

*Due to COVID-19, home checks are currently being conducted virtually via video.

What is the best way to introduce my new rescue dog to their new home?

Follow our decompression tips, and if you have other dogs in the home, make sure you prepare your home in advance of your new dog’s arrival and then introduce your existing dogs according to the tips we’ve outlined in Introducing A New Dog to Your Pack.

I am interested in fostering, how long does it take for HHDR dogs to be adopted? 

Our rescue dogs are usually placed in their forever home within four to six weeks. Please note: sometimes it can take longer and occasionally within less time .

What if an HHDR Foster needs to go out of town? 

Fosters must provide HHDR with at least  two weeks’ notice before going out of town in order for us to find a Temporary Foster for your foster dog, and the Foster must be able to transport dogs to and from a Temporary Foster’s home.