ADOPTION FAQ's

Although we do not require a fenced yard in order to adopt from us, we do require that you have a private yard.  You will need to tell us how you intend on keeping the dog safe while outside if you do not have a fully fenced yard.  

We do not permit unsupervised tethering or chaining of a dog outdoors.  "They are vulnerable to insect bites and parasites and are at high risk of entanglement, strangulation and harassment or attacks by other dogs or people. Tethered dogs may also suffer from irregular feedings, overturned water bowls, inadequate veterinary care and extreme temperatures." - www.humanesociety.org 

As we are 100% volunteer run, it may take several days up to a week to hear back from us.  Our Adoption Counsellors juggle their commitment to the rescue with their own careers, families, and fur babies.  They have one of the busiest and most challenging roles in rescue which requires a volunteer commitment of more than 20 hours a week.  Please thank them for all that they do if they contact you.  

At this time, we are only selecting applications that fully meet our criteria for processing due to the overwhelming volume of Adoption Applications that we are receiving.  Please contact us and we can advise you whether or not we have selected your application for processing.  Unfortunately, our volunteers do not have the ability to process the volume of applications that we receive, and not every applicant will be approved to adopt from SOHR.  However, Manitoba has dozens of rescues  for you to choose from.  Please visit the Winnipeg Humane Society's website for a list of local dog rescues.

We require adopters to have a private yard.  

When screening Adoption Applications, we take a number of factors into consideration when determining whether or not we will process an application.  This includes, but is not limited to, our ability to match a dog to you based on your preferences, your financial ability to provide the necessities for a dog, how you intend on training the dog etc.  We only adopt dogs into homes where they will be treated as family members.

Our Adoption Contract requires that all dogs adopted through SOHR must be spayed/neutered at 6 months of age.  Not only is this the position and recommendation of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, but it is also supported by our own vet clinics.  Any exception to this will only be considered with the support and recommendation of our own Veterinarians.  

"The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) strongly recommends that cats and dogs not intended for breeding be neutered before sexual maturity, except when there are scientifically justifiable health or behavioral benefits that might be gained by delaying the procedure."   https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/documents/neutering-of-dogs-and-cats-position-statement

We prefer that all vetting is completed at our partner vet clinics.  However, if you choose to use your own vet clinic, it will be at your own expense.  You will be required to provide proof of completion of the required vetting as outlined in our Adoption Contract. You may receive a refund of up to $150 upon completion of required vetting.

Due to Littermate Syndrome, we rarely adopt out littermates to the same home.  The only exception that may be considered requires our behaviorist to complete an assessment of the dogs and the home before approval will be given.  This is completed at the applicant's expense.

We adopt out of province on a case by case basis provided that a physical home check is completed by a reputable area rescue.  We also require applicants to come to Winnipeg to meet the dog prior to adopting and transporting it home.  We do not ship dogs out of province and we do not adopt out dogs "sight unseen".

We require that all resident animals have been spayed/neutered in order to adopt from SOHR.  Spaying/neutering is the foundation of our rescue, and our mission is to address the overpopulation of dogs.  We believe that spaying/neutering is a part of responsible pet ownership.  If your Adoption Application is processed, we may contact your veterinarian to confirm that your animals have been altered.

As we are a foster based rescue, all of our dogs are in private homes in Winnipeg and the surrounding areas.  We do not have a public shelter.  Therefore, we require an Adoption Application to be submitted and approved before we will set up a meet with a dog.

We also host regular adoption events in which you can also attend to meet some of our adoptables.

Please check our Spirit of Hope Rescue Facebook page or our website under the Adoptables tab.

If you would like to work with an Adoption Counsellor to be matched to an available dog, the first step is to submit an Adoption Application for approval.