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1. Submit Application
To meet any of our adoptable dogs, you must have an approved application on file. This application is a screening process to determine eligibility for adoption, not the final adoption application. You can submit your application online or fill it out at our adoption center using a computer. The approval process typically takes between 24 to 72 hours, and once approved, your application will remain on file for six months. Adoptions are not based on a first-come, first-served model, but rather on finding the best match for both the dog and the family. Our goal is to place dogs in homes that suit their specific personality, energy level, and needs—such as placing a high-energy large breed dog in a home with a yard rather than a small apartment. We want to ensure every dog is matched with a family that will provide the best environment for them.
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4. Meet Dogs
We encourage you to bring the whole family to meet the dog you're interested in, including children, so we can observe how they interact with the potential new pet. If you have other dogs, we require a meet-and-greet to ensure the dogs get along. For this, your dog(s) must be up-to-date on vaccines, spayed or neutered, and on heartworm prevention. We also ask for your dog's vet records and may conduct a vet check.
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2. Contact Us
If you haven't received a response within 48 hours of submitting your application, please feel free to reach out to check on its status. Keep in mind that we may receive up to 50 applications for a single dog, and in some cases, a "best match" may have already been selected before we have the chance to review yours.
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5. Foster-to-Adopt
If your appointment goes well, we recommend considering a "Foster-to-Adopt" (FTA) period with the dog you're interested in. This 3-day trial allows you to see if the dog is a good fit for your home and lifestyle. During the trial, Lakeshore PAWS will provide everything needed for the dog’s stay, including food, a crate, medications, and more. Our goal is to ensure the best match for both you and the dog, so you can feel confident about your decision to adopt a new furry family member.
Please note: FTA is only available for dogs older than 6 months.
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3. Make an Appointment
Once your application is approved, we strongly recommend scheduling an appointment. Unlike some other shelters, we do not allow walk-throughs of our kennel area. We believe that a constant flow of visitors can be stressful for the dogs, and that a dog’s behavior in a kennel does not always reflect their true personality. Instead, we invite you into a private meeting room, where we bring the dogs to you. Please note, due to limited availability of meeting rooms, there may not always be enough time to meet with all available dogs during your visit.
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Adoptable Dogs
View the dogs currently at our shelter, each looking for a loving forever home.
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FAQS and Policies
Get the answers to some commonly asked questioned and learn about our requirements for adopting.
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Adoption Fees
Find out what's included in our adoption fees and what you get when you adopt.
