Dog Adoption Policies

We are teaming up with other rescues to save more lives in the southern and southwestern areas of Virginia and areas in the South. Cats and dogs in these areas are in immediate danger every day of being killed. We are helping these shelters become "no-kill" because currently they euthanize more than 1000 cats and dogs yearly.

Dog Adoption Process Overview

Fancy Cats and Dogs Rescue Team (“FCDRT”) is a nonprofit, foster home-based rescue organization for cats and dogs in danger of euthanasia in the Washington Metropolitan area.  It is a volunteer organization that relies on donations to continue its important work.  To date FCRT has saved more than 18,000 animals. 

IMPORTANT

FCRT does not guarantee the health of any animals offered for adoption.  Any time you adopt an animal, you should take it to a licensed veterinarian to have it checked within 10 days of adoption. Your animal is, to the best of our knowledge, healthy, but will need to be started immediately on a program of preventative veterinary care.

Please be aware that the animals available for adoption are rescue animals and, as such, have often been exposed to a variety of infectious organisms.  Like human illnesses, these infections can have an incubation period of up to several weeks.  If the animal you adopt shows signs of illness at any point, please promptly take the animal to the vet for treatment.

The following statement is required by Virginia law: STERILIZATION OF ANY ADOPTED ANIMAL IS REQUIRED BY TITLE 3.2, CHAPTER 65 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA. THE ADOPTER [YOU] AGREES TO ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF 3.2-6574 through 3.2-6578, WHICH PERTAIN TO THE TIMELY STERILIZATION OF THE ADOPTED PET. A PERSON [YOU] WHO VIOLATES THIS ARTICLE IS SUBJECT TO CIVIL PENALTY. THE NEW OWNER [YOU] MAY BE COMPELLED TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE.

FCRT Adoption Process

1. Review the Adoption Process Overview (this document) for important information regarding adopting from FCRT.

2. Select your dog or puppy. You can view all available dogs online at www.fancycats.org. To meet a dog or puppy, you can either email info@fancycats.org to set up an appointment.

3. Apply. You can find the Adoption Application online at www.fancycats.org  or at one of FCRT’s adoption events. You may submit your application at an event, by fax to 703-961-1091, or via email attachment to info@fancycats.org. FCRT will not process any applications until you have met, chosen, and committed to adopting a specific dog or puppy. CRT processes applications in the order that applicants have met all criteria. NOTE: FCRT normally takes no more than one week to process an application from the time you submit your application and have selected an animal to the point at which you will sign the contract and receive your puppy or dog. When submitting your application, please make sure you can be available to sign the adoption contracts and to accept your new pet on the following Sunday. All adopters are required to complete an application, even if you have adopted from FCRT previously.

4. Interview.  You will be interviewed by one of our adoption coordinators as part of the application process. This is the time for you to ask any questions that you may have about FCRT, the processes, or the available dogs. You will be interviewed at an adoption event or, if you meet the dog or puppy in a foster home, an adoption coordinator may conduct your interview over the phone. FCRT considers each dog’s needs and how each dog may fit into a home when processing applications.  

5. A home visit is required. An FCRT volunteer will contact you, normally no later than the Wednesday evening following FCRT’s receipt of your application, to arrange for a mutually agreeable time to do your home visit. In order for your application to be approved in time for you to complete your adoption on Sunday, you must complete your home visit no later than Saturday (the day before your desired adoption day). FCRT will conduct a home visit for each adoption application, even if you have adopted from FCRT previously.

6. Vet Check.  If you own or have owned a companion animal, FCRT will contact your vet for a reference check for any animals that you have been responsible for as an adult. Please make sure to contact your vet to give them authorization for them to speak to FCRT volunteers.

7. Contract Signing. Once FCRT has completed your interview, home visit, and vet check and approved your application, FCRT will contact you either by phone or email to give you final instructions for your contract signing.  FCRT will typically schedule your contract signing and adoption finalizing to occur at noon on the first Sunday after you submit your application for processing. This schedule assumes that you are available for your interview and a home visit and that FCRT is able to complete the vet check prior to Saturday evening of the same week. NOTE: Because FCRT has limited resources, you must be available to attend this contract signing. We cannot arrange for an earlier or later date or time. Unless other arrangements have been made, your adopted pet will be available for your pick-up at approximately 1:00 pm directly following your contract signing. You must pay the dog adoption fee in cash or by certified check at the time you sign your contract. While not necessary and totally optional, FCRT welcomes tax-deductible donations in addition to the adoption fee. Thank you in advance for your support.

8. Take your new puppy or dog home. Congratulations, you have successfully completed the adoption process and have your new pet. For your pet’s safety please take a moment to attach the FCRT tag that was included in your adoption packet, as well as your own I.D. tag, to a collar and put it on your dog. You should be certain that the collar is fitted correctly so it doesn’t slip off the dog’s neck. A harness in addition to a collar are best for puppies. You will also need a leash, preferably not a retractable one.