Application

The first step in the adoption process is to find a dog who might be a good match for your family and complete a NON-BINDING application, either online or at an adoption event. If you see a dog listed on Petfinders or our website who appeals to you, we encourage you to apply online as we always make it a priority to bring the dogs who have interest in them to events.

Once your application is received, it will be promptly reviewed and you will be contacted within 48 hours. The next step is to visit with the dog at an adoption event. Please bring a hard copy of your completed application with you to the event. If you decide to pursue your interest in a particular dog after meeting him/her/them, you will be interviewed at the event. It is important for all family members to be present for the interview/s unless prior arrangements have been made.

After the interview process, home visits are done for the applicants selected. The process generally takes about a week from start to finish. Please note: Applications are not approved on a first come first serve basis; rather, the home that seems to be the best fit for the dog is chosen.

The purpose of the application process is to find the best fit for dog and person/family. You may submit one application for multiple dogs.

You must be over the age of 21 years for your application to be considered. Please submit your application by email or fax to the address or number above.

Due to increasing veterinary and boarding costs, we unfortunately have to increase our adoption fee (for the first time since 2010) to $335 for adult dogs. The increase (from our former fee of $285) is effective for all applications received on or after 10/4/2022. All dogs are up-to-date on vaccines, on monthly heartworm preventatives, spayed/neutered and they are also microchipped. The adoption fee for puppies is $435 which covers all puppy shots,numerous dewormings, spay/neuter and microchip.

Our adoption area covers the VA/DC/MD Metropolitan area.

Thank you.

Click here to print a standard PDF application form.

Dog you are interested in (if more than one, please list in order of preference):
What appeals to you about him/her/them?
Name:
Email Address:
Phone Number:
Street Address:
City/State/Zip:
Referred by:
Number of children and ages:
Do you plan on children in the future?	Yes No
People in household (please list names and relationship to you of all people who reside in the home):
Place(s) of employment for all adults and how long employed:
Type of home (geographic area):	Urban Suburban Rural
Type of home:	Single Family Home Townhouse Apartment/Condo
Do you rent or own?:	Rent Own
How long at current address:
If renting, does lease allow pets? (please bring a copy of your lease to the interview)	Yes No
If renting, does your lease contain any size/breed restrictions? (please bring a copy of your lease to the interview)	Yes No
Fenced yard?	Yes No Partially
If yes, fence type:	Wood Chain link Other
Fence height: (please be exact)
Is fence attached to your home?	Yes No
Do you have locks on your gate?	Yes No
If no, are you willing to fence?	Yes No
If yes, when?
Type of fence contemplated?
Dog door?	Yes No Future
Do you use a lawn service to maintain your yard?	Yes No
Do you have a pool?	Yes No
Any plans to move in the foreseeable future?	Yes No
If yes, what will you do with your pets?
Does anyone in your household have any allergies to pets?	Yes No
If yes, please explain:
Canine companion I/we have in mind:	Puppy Young Adult Mature Adult Senior Special Needs
Size:	Under 25 lbs 26-50 lbs 51-80 lbs Giant
Energy level:	Very active Moderately active Couch potato/TV pal
Why did you decide to get a dog at this time?
Have you previously applied to adopt a dog from Mutt Love or any other rescue group or shelter?	Yes No
If yes, when?
Who will be the primary caretaker of the dog?
Who will walk the dog?
Who will feed the dog?
How many weeks are you generally away on vacation or business travel each year?
Who will care for the dog in your absence?
Will your dog ever travel with you?	Yes No
Where will the dog sleep (please be specific):
Where will the dog be exercised on leash?
Do you use or have you ever used retractable leashes?	Yes No
Where and how will he/she be exercised off leash (please specify all occasions and locations)?
Number of hours dog will be left alone on work days and on weekends (please specify times):
Where will your dog be left when you are not home?	Crated Free to roam the house Confined to portion of house Outdoors Other
Please specify:
Where will your dog be kept when you are at home?	Crated Free to roam the house Confined to portion of house Outdoors Other
Please specify:
If left outdoors when you are not home, when will s/he be left out?	Not Applicable Always Sometimes Only when weather is good Other
Please explain:
How much time will you and your family have to play with the dog on a normal work day?
How much time will you and your family have to play with the dog on a normal weekend day?
What kind of toys or treats have you used in the past or plan to use with your new dog?
What brand/kind of food have you used previously or anticipate feeding your new dog?
Have you dealt with behavior issues previously with a dog?	Yes No
If yes, please describe:
Are you willing to get professional training for your dog if s/he would benefit from it?	Yes No
Are you willing to keep your dog on heartworm preventative every month, year around?	Yes No
What causes heartworm in dogs?
How much do you think it costs annually to own a dog? Medical? Food and supplies?
Describe any and all circumstances which may cause you to return your adopted dog (please include possible situations relating to both you and your dog):
If you had to give up your dog, would you:	Find him/her a new home Give to family member Take to animal shelter Return to Mutt Love Other
Please explain:
Do you currently own a pet of any kind? (If yes, please complete the following section for each pet, using a separate sheet of paper if necessary. Form allows for two pets to be listed.)	Yes No
Pet name:
Type of pet:	Dog Cat Other
Pet breed:
Pet age:
Gender:	Male Female
Spayed/Neutered:	Yes No
What year did you get the pet?
How/where did you get the pet?
Comments:
Pet name:
Type of pet:	Dog Cat Other
Pet breed:
Pet age:
Gender:	Male Female
Spayed/Neutered:	Yes No
What year did you get the pet?
How/where did you get the pet?
Comments:
Have you had pets of any kind in the past (you need not include family pets from childhood)?	Yes No
Pet name:
Type of pet:	Dog Cat Other
Breed:
Gender:	Male Female
Spayed/Neutered:	Yes No
What year did you get the pet?
Age of pet at time:
How/where did you get the pet?
Year pet died or left your home:
Cause of death or present whereabouts of pet (please provide details):
Pet name:
Type of pet:	Dog Cat Other
Breed:
Gender:	Male Female
Spayed/Neutered:	Yes No
What year did you get the pet?
Age of pet at time:
How/where did you get the pet?
Year pet died or left your home:
Cause of death or present whereabouts of pet (please provide details):
Have you ever had to give up a pet in the past?	Yes No
If yes, please explain why:
Contact information for all veterinary practices used in the past 15 years:
Have you used heartworm preventative, year around, for your current and past pets?	Yes No
If no, please explain:
What heartworm preventative have you used?
Prescribing veterinarian(s):
Have you taken any steps to prevent tick-borne diseases?	Yes No
If yes, please describe:
Have you ever incurred extraordinary medical expenses for any pet, current or past?	Yes No
If yes, please elaborate:
Will you permit a home visit by a Mutt Love representative?	Yes No
Do you authorize a vet reference by a Mutt Love representative?	Yes No
How did you hear about Mutt Love Rescue?	Friend Internet Pet Store Newspaper Veterinarian Other
In signing or submitting this application, I attest that I have answered all questions fully and accurately. Signature or Name of Applicant:
Date:

MUTT LOVE RESCUE
adopt@muttloverescue.org