Adoption Application

Thank you for being here. Filling this out means you are thinking about opening your home to a dog who has been waiting, and that matters more than you know.

Here is the honest truth about why this form is longer than most. We do not place dogs and hope it works out. We take the time to understand each dog who comes to us, and then we work just as hard to understand you, so the dog you bring home is the right one. Not the cutest. Not the first available. The right one. For you and for them.

None of these questions are a test. There are no wrong answers, and almost nothing here will disqualify you. We ask because the more we know about your life, the better we can match you. A first time owner, a busy family, a quiet retiree, a home with cats... every one of those is the perfect home for some dog. Our job is to find which one.

Take your time. Be real with us. We will be real with you.

With everything,

Domenica and the Legacy Paws family

P.S. Our adoption fee is a $300 donation. It covers a fraction of what goes into each dog, vetting, spay/neuter, vaccines, microchip, and however long it takes to get them ready, and it funds the next rescue waiting. We never want cost to be the reason a good match doesn't happen, so if that's a barrier, just tell us. We'll talk.

First, a little bit about you

Your full name

Best phone number

Address

Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter.

How did you hear about Legacy Paws?

Helps us know what is working, and sometimes how to thank someone.

Why are you here today?

Which of these fits best right now?

I am applying for a specific dog I already have my eye on

I am open, and I would like your help finding the right match

A little of both. I have a dog in mind, but I trust your guidance

There are no wrong roads here. If you picked the first or third, answer the short “The dog you have your eye on” section below. Everyone fills out the rest.

Your home and your everyday life

This is the part that does the real matching. A dog who would struggle in one home thrives in another. None of this is about whether your life is good enough. It is about which dog fits in the life that you already have.

Do you rent or own?

If you rent, we may ask for a quick okay from your landlord later. Not to make this harder... just so a dog never has to be returned because of a lease. We have seen that heartbreak and we work to prevent it.

What is your home like?

Who lives in your home? Tell us about the people.

Ages of any children, other adults, anyone who visits often. Some of our dogs adore kids. Some need a calmer house. This is how we tell.

Tell us about any pets you have now.

Type, age, size, and how they generally feel about other animals. If you have none, just say so.

On a normal day, how many hours would the dog be home alone?

Be honest here, truly. There is a right dog for a full-time-work household. We would rather match you well than have you stretch the truth and struggle.

Where will the dog sleep and spend most of their time?

What are you hoping for

This section is the heart of the match. It is the same thinking as our matching quiz, folded right in so you only fill out one thing.

What are you most hoping a dog will bring into your life?

A steady companion, something that is just always there with me

Comfort, a soft presence for the hard days and the quiet ones

A reason to get up and move, walks, fresh air, out the door

Joy and a little chaos, something that brings the house back to life

A buddy for my kids, or for a pet who is lonely

Someone to take care of, a reason to be needed again

Pick the two that matter most to you. Not the two that sound right... the two that are true.

Tell us, in your own words, what is making you want to bring a dog home right now.

There is no right answer. Sometimes it is a loss. Sometimes it is a quiet house. Sometimes you just know it is time. Whatever it is, we want to hear it.

What kind of energy are you hoping for in a dog?

What size range feels right for your home and life?

Small (under 25 lbs)

Medium (25 to 60 lbs)

Large (60 lbs and up)

Size does not matter to me

How do you feel about a dog who comes with some work?

Bring it on. I want to help a dog grow, and I will lean on you for support

A little is fine, as long as I am not on my own with it

I would prefer a dog who is already pretty settled

Not sure. Tell me what is realistic

Some of our dogs are still learning to trust, or need help with house manners, leash skills, or being alone. We never hand you a hard dog and walk away. We coach you through it. We just want to know your appetite for it.

Is there anything a dog absolutely could not be or do, for your home to work?

Cats they must get along with, no stairs, must be okay with grandkids, cannot have heavy barking, anything. Telling us a hard no is not picky. It saves a dog from a return.

Have you owned a dog before? Where are you in your journey?

First-time dog owner

I have had dogs before, but not in a while

I have dogs now or recently did

I have a lot of experience, including with tougher cases

First-time owners are welcome here, fully. Everyone starts somewhere.

This part we take seriously, gently

A dog is a 10- to 15-year promise. Most of our questions are about fit. These few are about the long haul, because the dogs we take in often have already been let go once

How do you picture caring for a dog who gets sick or hurt down the road?

We are not asking for a dollar figure or a perfect plan. We just want to know you have thought about it. If cost is a worry, say so. We have ideas and resources, and we would rather problem-solve with you than rule you out.

Life changes. Moves, new babies, job shifts, hard seasons. If something big happened, what would you want to do?

There is no trick here. We ask because we want you to know about our Forever Promise: any dog adopted from us always has a home here at the sanctuary if you ever truly cannot keep them. You will never be stuck, and neither will they. We just want a partner who will talk to us before giving up.

Two people we can reach who know you well.

Name and phone for each. A vet, a friend, a family member, anyone. This is standard for rescues, and it is part of how a real, accountable organization protects its dogs.

Anything else you want us to know about you?

This is your open space. Tell us your story if you want to. We read every word.

I understand a home visit may be required

Yes

Once you hit submit, a real person reads this. Not a system, not an auto reply that goes nowhere. We will reach out usually in a few days, to talk through what you wrote about which one of our dogs might be your match. Sometimes that is the dog you came in for. Sometimes it is one you have not yet met, but turns out to be the right one.

If you ever wonder whether we are the real thing, you can find us as Legacy Paws Rescue, a veteran-owned 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Catawba, North Carolina. We will gladly answer anything!

Thank you for going through all of this! It tells us you are the kind of person who shows up for the long haul. That is exactly who these dogs have been waiting for!