Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Lakeshore PAWS Non-profit or For-profit?
- Where does Lakeshore PAWS get its funding?
- What items do you take as donations?
- How do I become a volunteer?
- What are your hours and location?
- Where do you get your dogs?
- What do dogs receive when coming to Lakeshore PAWS?
- Why don’t you do walkthroughs of the kennels?
- What dogs do you have available?
- What are your adoption fees?
- Do you have any age requirements?
- Do you allow out-of-state adoptions?
- Will you hold a specific dog for me?
- How long is my application on file for?
- Do you accept owner surrenders?
- I found a stray! Can I bring it to Lakeshore PAWS?
- My vet said the dog I adopted is ill, what should I do?
- If I want to adopt a dog from Lakeshore PAWS, what are the requirements if I already have a dog?
Is Lakeshore PAWS Non-profit or For-profit?
Lakeshore PAWS is a mostly volunteer-run, nonprofit 501(c)3 animal rescue organization located in Valparaiso, Indiana. Our vision is to create a culture of compassion and partnership in Northwest Indiana that will one day assure that every pet born has a stable home and care throughout its natural life.
Our Values:
Compassion: Treating each animal with the kindness it deserves;
Community: Creating partnerships for a better world for pets in Northwest Indiana;
Results: Acting to ensure that every pet receives a second chance at a forever home;
Advocacy: Working as a voice for every animal in despair.
Where does Lakeshore PAWS get its funding?
Lakeshore PAWS does not receive any support from the city, state, or federal government. We operate solely on donations from our community.
What items do you take as donations?
Our current wish list can be found here. We can also take gently used items such as towels, throw blankets (no comforters), or other dog care items.
How do I become a volunteer?
You can find volunteering opportunities and requirements here.
What are your hours and location?
Our address is 4611 Evans Ave. Valparaiso, IN 46383
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 12 pm – 6 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 11 am – 3 pm
Where do you get your dogs?
We get our dogs from local animal controls and shelters that are forced to euthanize dogs due to space.
What do dogs receive when coming to Lakeshore PAWS?
Every dog upon intake will receive an initial intake exam. They are then brought up to date on vaccines, dewormed, microchipped, given heartworm prevention, and spayed/neutered. We also heartworm test them and treat them if needed. In some cases, a dog will need medical intervention and require treatment or surgical care which we provide for them.
Why don’t you do walkthroughs of the kennels?
Strangers walking by kennels all day and every day can be extremely stressful for the dogs in our care. We have found it much more beneficial and truer to a dog’s personality when they are brought into a room to meet you.
What dogs do you have available?
You can view a list of our available dogs here.
What are your adoption fees?
On average, it costs the shelter around $560 per dog before they are adopted. Our fees range anywhere from $450 downward to $50 depending on the age and breed of the dog. You can read more about our adoption fees and what’s included here.
Do you have any age requirements?
We require adopters to be at least 21 years old to adopt.
Do you allow out-of-state adoptions?
Yes, we will allow out-of-state adoptions. We will still require you to come to our adoption center to meet the dog and we do not transport any dogs.
Will you hold a specific dog for me?
We do not hold any specific dog UNLESS a meet and greet with your dog is scheduled within a 24-hour period. (Ex. You meet with a dog you’re interested in and have to come back with your current dog to meet the potential new one. We will hold the dog for 24 hours.)
How long is my application on file for?
An approved application will be on file for 6 months.
Do you accept owner surrenders?
If you adopted your dog from our facility and can no longer care for the dog, please contact us to discuss your options.
Unfortunately, we very rarely have space for owner surrenders if the dog was not originally adopted through our rescue. Our priority is to pull from other shelters where animals are at an immediate risk of euthanasia due to overcrowding.
I found a stray! Can I bring it to Lakeshore PAWS?
The most we can do is check for a microchip. All strays should be taken to the appropriate county shelter corresponding to where the stray was found for a stray hold to give owners a central location to claim their animals.
My vet said the dog I adopted is ill, what should I do?
We are committed to ensuring that the dogs in our rescue receive the best care to our ability. Each dog upon intake receives an exam, is screened for heartworms, dewormed, made up to date on vaccines, and spayed/neutered. If there is something further, we suspect is wrong, we do our best to provide treatment at our affiliated vets.
In the event that a pre-existing condition is identified by your veterinarian, which was not previously found during our assessment period, you have the option to return the pet and receive a full refund of the adoption fee. Alternatively, you may choose to keep ownership of your pet and assume the financial obligations for the necessary medical treatment.
As a non-profit organization, we are unable to cover ongoing medical expenses once ownership has been transferred. However, we remain committed to the welfare of the pets in our care and will accept them back for treatment, with the intention of making them available for adoption once they have recovered.
It is imperative to recognize that we cannot sustain financial responsibility for your pet's healthcare indefinitely. There is a contract signed at the time of adoption of your understanding and acceptance of these terms, thereby releasing Lakeshore PAWS from any further liabilities.
If I want to adopt a dog from Lakeshore PAWS, what are the requirements if I already have a dog?
We REQUIRE that all current dogs be up-to-date on Rabies and Distemper vaccines, on heartworm prevention, and spayed/neutered. If you do not meet these requirements, unfortunately, we cannot adopt to you.
