Adoption Eligibility:
We are looking for adopters over the age of 23 who are local to the Atlanta area. NOTE: Adoptions are restricted to the Metro Atlanta area only.
Adoption Policies:
Just like people, dogs have distinctly individual personalities - likes, dislikes, needs, etc. At RMG, we take the time to get to know each individual dog prior to posting them for adoption and set their adoption requirements accordingly. Requirements listed in the individual profiles are not arbitrary but are listed because the dog has shown our volunteers that is what they truly need for a happy, healthy life. As such, exceptions to these requirements are not allowed.
Potential adopters who have existing animals in their homes must have a history of maintaining up-to-date vetting on their pet(s). For dogs, this includes DHPP and Rabies vaccines, HW testing, and use of heart worm and flea/tick preventative. All current pets in the home MUST be spay/neutered.
We require that potential adopters be committed to regular veterinary care of their future pet, including heartworm and flea/tick preventative, and must be willing to verify that their pet will be an indoor dog! Adopters who plan to tie or tether their dog or otherwise house outside of the family home will not be considered.
For adopters interested in adopting young puppies, we do require another dog in the home for ALL PUPPY ADOPTIONS. Proper socialization is key to puppy development and there are important lessons puppies can only learn from other dogs. This is a strict requirement and no exceptions will be made. Our Board has a combined total of over 20 years rescuing dogs and have seen too many puppies returned as young adults with behavioral issues due to improper socialization. Additionally, raising a puppy is quite difficult and not always for an inexperienced dog owner. As such, we do require previous first hand dog ownership (as an adult, childhood/family pets are not acceptable) in order to adopt a puppy even with other dogs in the home due to roommates, etc. We highly encourage first time dog owners to look at some of our wonderful adult dogs available for adoption.
Additionally, please do not complete an application for one or our dogs with the intention of gifting it to someone. The gesture is nice, but we believe it’s best that the dog’s potential parent meet the dog in person to ensure a special connection is made. We consider adopting a pet to be a lifetime commitment and want to make sure our adopters feel the same way!
Lastly, if you aren't ready for an immediate adoption, please wait until you are. We are not able to "hold" dogs. Because we are such a small, all-volunteer group, we can't accommodate "shoppers" who aren't ready to move forward with an adoption. Because our list of available dogs changes almost daily, we do ask that adopters be prepared to bring a dog home within 48-72 hours of submitting an adoption application.
Please note: We strive to insure the best possible fit for each of our dogs. Therefore, we do not do “blanket approvals”. Our applications and approval process are dog specific. Because each dog has individual personality and needs, an approved application does not necessarily transfer to any other dog. In the event a potential adopter is not a good fit for the dog they selected, another dog may be suggested as a better fit (if applicable).
Adoption Steps:
Please complete our adoption application using the link on our web site.
When completing an application for a specific dog, please be sure to read the online profile for that dog thoroughly. We strive to find the best fit for each dog and take their individual needs seriously. If a dog has specific needs, they will most likely be listed in the profile. Individual needs listed in a dog’s profile are strict requirements to be considered to adopt.
RMG volunteers will screen all incoming applications. We will call a veterinary reference (if applicable) and two personal references (no family members, please). We also verify pet policies on rented homes. Adoptions that would potentially violate the rental property pet policy will not be approved.
An adoption fee is required and covers the cost of complete intake vetting for that dog. Adoptions fees vary by dog and are listed within each dog’s individual profile under our Available Dogs page. PLEASE NOTE: In the event of adopting a bonded pair, the adoption fees listed in profiles are for EACH dog. The total fee for the pair is the combined total The donation is tax-deductible and will include, at the very least, vaccines, and spay/neuter. Dogs who are ill or require surgery will have that performed prior to adoption. All dogs over the eight months of age are also heart-worm tested and treated, as needed. Beginning July 2020, RMG will begin administering ProHeart 12 heartworm prevention to eligible dogs at intake. Dogs who have received the ProHeart injection will have a ProHeart surcharge added to their adoption fee. The amount of the surcharge will vary based on the dog’s weight and amount of time since injection. In these cases, the adopter will not have to purchase separate heartworm prevention until the ProHeart injection expires.
Once references have been checked (and our team has completed a preliminary screening to assess the compatibility between the applicant and an individual dog), an RMG volunteer will contact the applicant to schedule a meet and greet. (Depending on the individual dog and the family situation, the meet and greet may be scheduled to occur at the applicant's home, or possibly a mutually convenient location).
At the meet and greet, a final determination will be made by the foster and the potential adopter as to whether or not the applicant and the individual dog are a good fit for one other. If it is determined to be a good fit, the dog will go home from the meet and greet on a trial adoption. We are unable to hold dogs, so please do not schedule a meet and greet if you are not prepared to take a dog home with you.
In rare cases, the applicant may be advised that a particular dog they are interested in may not be the best fit. It is always our goal to place our rescues in loving and forever homes so that the dog will not be returned. This is for your safety and the well-being of the dog.
A signed adoption contract is required to complete all adoptions. Until the adoption contract is signed and returned, each dog remains the property of RMG. No adoption will be finalized without a signed contract.
Finding Your Forever Dog
To begin the process of adopting a RMG dog, please click the button below. You may also submit an application by clicking the ADOPT button in the dog’s profile under the AVAILABLE DOGS section of our website. Once you have submitted the application, you can expect to receive a confirmation email within 48 hours.
Our adoption fees vary and are based upon age and breed. For detailed information about the adoption fee for a dog you are considering, please review their individual profile under our "Available Dogs" tab.
In addition to the adoption fee, we also charge $15 per adoption for microchip registration. This registration is good for the lifetime of your pet and helps to insure that your dog has a greater chance of being returned home safely to you in the unfortunate event that they ever become lost.
False information on applications will result in the forfeiture of adoption fees and repossession of the dog.
After submitting your application, please feel free to email adrienne@rescuemega.org to make sure it has been received. Thank you for your interest in Rescue Me Georgia!