Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you only adopt to the Greater Victoria Area?

  • it is really important that we conduct home visits and provide ongoing support to our adopters and foster to adopt families.  Our trainers and vets are locally based and it is very difficult for us to ensure appropriate oversight and assistance outside of Victoria. 

 

 

I'm looking for a specific dog, can you help me?

  • Perhaps. We do get purebreds or certain mixes in the rescue from time to time.  I did once get an order for a purebred toy apricot poodle (not red) male, no more than 19" at the shoulder and already house trained.  Let's be realistic, this is a $3500 dog.  The likelihood of us getting a dog in the rescue that fits this exact criteria is unlikely.  We take those who need help.  if you're looking for a lab mix, absolutely!  if you're looking for a dog which would costs thousands of dollars from a breeder at a cut rate price the answer is no.

 

 

How do we know the dogs are healthy?

  • We vet our dogs to specific standards and disclose all known health defects.  Obviously there are things that we cannot predict.  

 

  

How much is the adoption fee?

  • Purebred and non-shedding mixed breeds - Individually priced
  • Puppies - $699 (under 6 months)   
  • Adults - $599
  • Seniors - $499 (7 years and older)

 


 What does the adoption fee pay for?

  • The adoption fee goes towards shelter fees, veterinary bills, spaying/neutering costs (if applicable) crates and shipping the dog to Victoria. The cost to fly a medium sized dog on a commercial airline from Alabama costs around $400. The costs we incur far outweigh the adoption fee charged. We do rely on additional donations and sales from our annual calendar to make up the shortfall.

 


Will the dog be spayed or neutered?

  • Yes. All adult and senior dogs are spayed or neutered prior to shipping to Victoria. However, some puppies may be too young to be neutered or spayed when they are shipped to Victoria. On those rare occasions, a free spay/neuter certificate will be supplied at the time of adoption. Having the dog neutered or spayed is mandatory and forms part of the adoption contract.

 


Will the dog be fully vaccinated and tested for parasites?

  • Yes. Prior to shipping to Victoria, all dogs are vaccinated, dewormed and receive flea treatment and other necessary veterinary procedures. In addition, all dogs are tested for heartworm and/or given prophylactic treatment if they are too young to be tested.

 


Why do we rescue from the US and not Canada?

  • Millions of unwanted pets are euthanized in the US each year because they are homeless. This problem is particularly pronounced in the south which has been hit hard by the economic downturn. Perfectly healthy, loving family pets are put down simply because there are more dogs than homes. Some shelters get more than 100 dogs surrendered in a week and the number of unwanted litters is astounding. The euthanasia statistics vary but it is estimated that 50 to 75% of animals that enter shelters are euthanized. In Victoria our SPCA has done a wonderful job of educating the public and they do not routinely euthanize unless it is required for humane reasons. There is a demand in Victoria for nice family pets and our mission is to meet that need and save lives.

 


Can I take the dog home prior to adopting?

  • Yes. We encourage those interested in adopting to foster-to-adopt the dog. It is important to us that the dog is a good fit for your family and that you are able to meet the animal's needs. We usually do a home inspection and discuss those options with you.

 


I've heard that shelter dogs have "issues". is this true?

  • Many dogs have behavioural problems and this is not unique to shelter pets. Some dogs bought from "breeders" or pet stores can often have significant issues because of the environment that they have been raised in (like puppy mills). We have rescued countless wonderful dogs with great temperaments from shelters. We do our best to assess the dog prior to taking them into our program.  What is considered an issue in one household is often a sought after trait in another, which is why we encourage people to foster-to-adopt. An energetic dog in one household may be a nightmare, whereas that same dog may be the ideal companion for someone who leads an active lifestyle.

 


Do you know what breed the dog is?

  • Not always. On occasions we do know the dog's history and origin but more often than not the animals are strays. We often rely on the shelter to give us their best estimate as to the animal's breed.