The first step toward adopting your new pet is to complete an adoption application. This doesn’t commit you, it just give us an idea about you and helps us with the best match process. Once we review your application, an adoption counselor will contact you.

We evaluate the dog and the adopter to try and ensure the best forever match. We want everyone involved to have the greatest chance at success.

It may take up to 72 hours to hear from us once you submit your application. We do our best to go through every application as it is received but some pets get more applications than others, so it takes time to review them all.

We are 100% foster based so every animal in our program is living inside a home. This helps us to better know each animal so we can help you find your perfect match.

We do vet references on all applications. Missing or inaccurate information on applications is a common reason for denial. Vet checks take time during the application process, we have added a section on the application where you can provide vet records to help speed up the process.

We have place Dobermans in homes in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, North and South Carolina and many other states. Blue - Will adopt Gold - Will consider Gray - Will consider for previous SHDR adopters

Once the adoption is complete the microchip is automatically registered to you using the information on your application. It is always a good idea for you to contact the microchip company to confirm the information is correct. We also keep the rescue registered to the microchip in case of emergency - we are always available as a back-up contact.

All of the records we have are stored electronically, after the adoption is complete you will be given access to your pet's file. We suggest you download and save copies for your records and to provide to your vet.

We always suggest making an appointment for your new pet right away. Make sure to take their vet records. This gives your veterinarian a chance to get familiar with your new pet and schedule any needed vaccinations. We also expect you to discuss monthly preventatives with your vet; heartworm, flea and tick. Although we do our best to catch any health issues, there may be some underlying issues we can’t see without extensive testing and/or blood work. An exam by your veterinarian is very important to ensure the best care for your new pet.

3 Days: In the first 3 days after your new dog comes home, he is likely to feel overwhelmed with all the changes and may be scared. He might not want to eat or drink and may just curl up in his crate or hide somewhere and that is okay. Patience and setting them up for success is vital during this time period. Be sure to give them time to get comfortable and more familiar with their surroundings and routine. 3 Weeks: After about 3 weeks, your dog will start to settle into his new home. He will feel more comfortable and start to figure out his new environment. He will get into a routine (don’t forget, you need to help with that!), and start to show you his true personality. Of course, that can have drawbacks and if your dog has any behavioral concerns, they will tend to manifest around this time. At the 3-week mark, we always suggest this would be a good time to invest in some training classes or private training so any unwanted habits can be worked on and overcome. 3 Months: After 3 months, your dog should be settled into their routine and feel completely comfortable in his or her new home. They should be developing trust in you and gaining a sense of security with their new family. And don’t forget brushing up and continuing to work on new tricks or skills is always a good way to continue to build your bond and keeping them mentally stimulated.

Once you bring your new friend home, introduce him to the outside areas first so he can get used to the smells and sounds around his new home. If you have another dog, bring him outside to meet the new addition first, even if they’ve already met at the shelter or rescue. Take them for a walk or let them see and smell each other through a fence first. Once you bring the new dog into the house, restrict him to one or two areas of your home for a few days. He will be unsure of his new environment and restricting where he goes can help decrease his stress level. Introducing a new dog into your ‘pack,’ human and canine, takes time and patience. Limit the number of visitors for the first few days. Friends and family will want to come over and meet your new dog, but this may overwhelm him or her even more. Give them some time to adjust to their immediate family before meeting all the aunts, uncles and cousins! Try and establish a routine for your new dog as soon as you can. Scheduling feeding, walks and play time will help your new dog feel more comfortable and a feeding schedule is especially important if your dog is not potty trained. If you have kids, don’t leave your new dog alone with the kids for the first few weeks. Your kids will adjust to the dog more quickly then he will adjust to them. Your dog may have the sweetest temperament, but when in a situation where he or she is scared or feels stressed like a child trying to pet or hug him, he may feel he has to protect themselves and nip or bite. If you have other pets in the home be sure that introductions are slow. Give the new dog at least three days to decompress and figure out their new world before introducing the other pets in the home.

Please click on the “foster” link and complete a questionnaire. A team member will contact you to discuss foster options! FOSTER

Check out our Volunteer page and apply to volunteer here: https://www.sweethomedobermanrescue.org/volunteer

3 Days: In the first 3 days after your new dog comes home, he is likely to feel overwhelmed with all the changes and may be scared. He might not want to eat or drink and may just curl up in his crate or hide somewhere and that is okay. Patience and setting them up for success is vital during this time period. Be sure to give them time to get comfortable and more familiar with their surroundings and routine. 3 Weeks: After about 3 weeks, your dog will start to settle into his new home. He will feel more comfortable and start to figure out his new environment. He will get into a routine (don’t forget, you need to help with that!), and start to show you his true personality. Of course, that can have drawbacks and if your dog has any behavioral concerns, they will tend to manifest around this time. At the 3-week mark, we always suggest this would be a good time to invest in some training classes or private training so any unwanted habits can be worked on and overcome. 3 Months: After 3 months, your dog should be settled into their routine and feel completely comfortable in his or her new home. They should be developing trust in you and gaining a sense of security with their new family. And don’t forget brushing up and continuing to work on new tricks or skills is always a good way to continue to build your bond and keeping them mentally stimulated.

Sometimes we need a little more information from you and will usually email you requesting such. If we do not receive a timely response, we move on to other applications. Another reason you may not have been approved for the pet you applied for is that, although you may be a great pet owner, there was another applicant that just seemed to fit that particular pet a little better. We want this to be their last home, so we will always do what we think is best for the animals. In this situation, we will be glad to work with you to find the perfect new family member that best fits your family and lifestyle.

Every animal in our program is spayed/neutered, dewormed, had age appropriate vaccinations, and microchipped. Some have to be treated for heartworms or have some kind of surgery. Adoption fees help cover these expenses. Often times the pre-adoption vet expenses far exceed our adoption fees.

We love our seniors but their adoption fees have to be lower to get them adopted and their vet bills are the same or usually higher than the younger pets. So we charge a bit more for the younger pets or more desirable pets to help offset the cost of the seniors and the harder to adopt pets.