ADOPTIONFAQS
This is one of our most common questions, and the answer is simple. If the dog is listed on our website, then you're in luck, as that dog is still available for adoption! When a dog is adopted, we update the website immediately to keep an accurate listing of dogs still looking for their furever home! We highly recommend you submit a no-obligation adoption application to start the process (then check your email for the next steps!), and then you will have an adoption counselor assigned to you to schedule time to meet the dog. Sometimes a dog has multiple applicants working thru the process and to keep things fair we proceed with applicants in the order in which they complete the process, so please submit an application, then check your email for next steps (be sure to check that spam folder, too!)
Happy Bark is based in Erie County, Pennsylvania, but we don't have a physical location. Our dogs live in volunteer foster homes across the area. If you want to meet a dog, fill out an adoption application on our website. It's the first step to meeting your new furry friend!
Happy Bark dogs come from overcrowded shelters in other areas of the country. We are very blessed in our area to have several animal shelters and rescues serving the needs of homeless dogs in our community. As a result, we can focus our time and resources on other areas where those dogs are less fortunate and are facing uncertain futures.
Happy Bark foster homes are located throughout Erie County, so a Happy Bark dog may be living right in your neighborhood! If you find a dog on our website that you are interested in meeting, the best way to arrange that is to submit an adoption application. This does not commit you to adopt a dog, but it is the first step in the adoption process. Once we receive your application, we will reach out to complete the approval and set up a time for you to meet the dog of your dreams! Don't forget to check our events calendar to see when Happy Bark foster homes will be showcasing all the dogs Happy Bark has to offer. We also host regular adoption events where you can meet multiple dogs at once.
We do our best to place great dogs into great homes. We think you will find our adoption process to be painless (and maybe even enjoyable!):
Submit an application. Have you already met a dog you love or found a great dog on our website? If so, you can submit an application directly from that dog's profile. If you haven't found the right dog for you just yet, you can submit a general application and we can work with you to find the dog of your dreams.
Submit additional information. Watch your email (check your spam folder!) for a quick reply from us and follow those additional instructions to complete the application process in order to move on to the next step. An adoption counselor will be assigned to you after you have completed the steps above. Reaching out to us via other means (website chat, Facebook messenger, other emails, etc. will not accelerate your application process).
Home visit. We do virtual home visits, unless you prefer an in-person home visit. We only ask for a few pictures of the common areas of the home and the outside area to ensure the dog will live happily-ever-after. Send those over to us via email and we are good to go! This is an easy, non-intrusive process to ensure your new dog (and your household) will be happy with the new addition. This visit may not even be necessary if a member of the Happy Bark team has already been to your home, or if you are a previous adopter.
Meet and greet. We partner with you to ease the transition of a new dog into your home. Depending on your individual need, we will schedule a time for your family and dog(s) to meet the Happy Bark dog, just to make sure everyone will be great friends.
Adoption contract. A quick adoption agreement is in place. You agree to provide appropriate care, housing, exercise, and love. We agree to always be there for you when you need us if questions or issues arise. Even if the adoption doesn't work out, we agree to take the dog back and find him/her another home.
Most Happy Bark dogs have an adoption fee of $275. From time to time, a dog may have a higher adoption fee to account for more popular breeds or puppies. We don't believe one dog is "worth" more than another, but if a higher adoption fee in those rare cases can help pay the higher expenses for our longer term residents, then we say that's cool! If a dog has an adoption fee other than $275, it will be noted on that dog's profile. Adoption fees help cover the costs of the various expenses an animal rescue organization incurs. Everyone at Happy Bark is a volunteer, so your adoption fees go directly to efforts to save more dogs. Our adoption fees are very low compared to the costs of buying a dog from a pet store or a breeder.
To adopt from Happy Bark, you need to be at least 18 years old, have a stable living environment, and the financial means to care for a dog. You'll also need to agree to our Adoption Contract. Simple as that!
Emotional support status is not something that is assigned to a pet but is instead a recommendation that must come from a health professional to you, the patient. All pets can serve as emotional support for their owners, but Happy Bark does not certify dogs to be good candidates for those who need an emotional support animal. In fact, most pets coming from animal rescues like Happy Bark need their own emotional support, leadership, and training.