Introduction to the Adoption Process

Second Time Around Aussie Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit adoption and referral organization dedicated to placing Australian Shepherds who have been abandoned, neglected, or whose present home can not, or will not keep them any longer; into caring, loving and permanent homes.

If you are interested in adopting an Australian Shepherd through Second Time Around Aussie Rescue, Inc., there are three simple ways to reach us:

  1. Call 1-87-RESCUE US (877-372-8387). Please leave a message with your name, city, state and home and work phone numbers. Please be sure to include your area code. If you wish to leave more information, please feel free to do so.
  2. Email us at: mailto:Rescue@staar.org.
  3. Submit an adoption application through this website.

When the adoption application is filled out it will then be forwarded or mailed to the rescue volunteer closest to you. That rescue volunteer will contact you directly to get any further information necessary to help us help you find the right dog!

People who apply to adopt a dog through Second Time Around Aussie Rescue, Inc. must complete an extensive screening process, explaining why they want an Australian Shepherd, how they plan to care for the dog, and what kind of home they will provide. When our rescue volunteer receives an application, it is screened for approval. Applicants for dogs may be declined if the rescue volunteer feels they cannot provide a suitable home for an Aussie.

A call or email will be forwarded to the rescue volunteer who handles your local area. Your local rescue volunteer knows what dogs are available for adoption in your area. When your local rescue volunteer calls or contacts you, they will either want to send you an Adoption Application to find out what kind of Aussie you want (active, quiet, younger, older, etc.) and what kind of home you can provide for a rescue dog (active, quiet, indoor, outdoor, etc.) and will make a follow-up call to go over the application; or they will ask you those questions over the phone.

Screening

"Screening" is not done by email. Your local rescue volunteer needs to get to "know" you and your lifestyle, so that they can work together with you to find you the right dog, one that will be happy in your home for the rest of its life. Second Time Around Aussie Rescue, Inc. rescue volunteers pride themselves on their thorough screening process. We screen both adoptive homes and adoptable dogs carefully — so be prepared to answer many questions about your lifestyle and living situation. Your local rescue volunteer may schedule an In-Home Check to meet you, and find out exactly which dog in the listings would be right for you.

Referrals

If the application is approved, the rescue volunteer will review our available dog list and listing applications from private individuals wanting to place their dogs, and will refer approved applicants to owners who have a dog who matches the applicants' descriptions. Rescue volunteers also hear about purebreds in the area shelters. If a dog that matches your request turns up in a shelter, the rescue volunteer will refer you to the shelter. You would then have to be approved by the shelter, and would adopt directly from the shelter. If you are referred to a dog in the shelter, please respond PROMPTLY as time is often short for shelter dogs! The shelters do not have sufficient space to keep the numbers of dogs lost or surrendered by their owners.

Adopters are under no obligation to accept any dog referred by Second Time Around Aussie Rescue, Inc. If you feel a dog is not right for you, simply notify the rescue volunteer. Referrals will continue until the right match is found. The rescue volunteers will do their best to help you find a dog. However, we cannot guarantee a successful placement. Adopters should expect to spend some time working with the rescue volunteer to find the best dog for their requirements.

Adopting

When you and the right dog find each other, Second Time Around Aussie Rescue, Inc. has an adoption contract for you to sign. A copy is available to you upon request.

When adopting a dog that is in our foster care, Second Time Around Aussie Rescue, Inc. does ask for a donation. These donations enable us to continue rescuing and placing Aussies. Second Time Around Aussie Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit public benefit corporation and run solely by donation. Dogs who are not in our foster care but are in our listings from private owners, will be placed for free. The owners may only ask for the cost of spaying or neutering the dog in order to be eligible for our listings. (Only spayed or neutered dogs are in our listings.) Donations to Second Time Around Aussie Rescue, Inc. are appreciated and are tax deductible.