Adoption Requirements and Application

Please read through the Adoption Requirements listed below. We invest a significant amount of time and money into ensuring our dogs are healthy and happy, and we reserve the right to adopt our dogs and puppies to the safest, loving, and most responsible home available. 

If you do not meet these requirements, do NOT apply. You will not be considered and you are wasting volunteers' time. We encourage you to contact your local shelter and adopt from them. 

We are all volunteers with jobs, families, and, of course, dogs to care for, so please allow a minimum of 7-10 days from receipt of an application for a volunteer to contact you. If you do not hear back after that time frame, please email us for a status on your application: tailsofhopedr@yahoo.com.

The applicant must be 25 years of age to adopt from Tails of Hope Dog Rescue.

Tails of Hope Dog Rescue will adopt to applicants who live outside of the Memphis area provided one of our volunteers is available for the transport and completes the required fence check, home visit, and proper introductions. The transport fee is based on mileage from Memphis. 50% of the transport fee is due 24 hours before the home visit and is non-refundable. The remaining balance of the transport fee is due when the adoption contract is finalized. 

We do NOT ship dogs. DOGS ARE NOT PICKED UP. 

We do adopt to apartment, townhouse and condo residents, but please keep in mind not all dogs are a good fit for apartments. If we do not feel like a dog is a good fit for an apartment, townhome, or condo, we will not proceed with the adoption. 

We will adopt to renters. Please check with your property manager/landlord regarding breed and/or size limitations. Please be sure to include property management's name and contact information on your application. You must have the consent of your property manager/landlord. They will be contacted to confirm that consent is given.

If you live in a single-family home, your yard must be fully fenced and   the fence securely attached to the home, with a door from the home leading directly into the yard. The fence should be in good condition and any holes, loose boards, weak sections, open areas, etc. and should be repaired BEFORE the home visit and fence check. This is to insure the dog is contained safely within the yard.  Electric / invisible fences are not accepted. Fences are not required for apartment or condo dwellers.

Even if you live in a rural area on multiple acres, you must have a portion of your property securely fenced for a dog. The fence must be attached to the home with a door from the home leading directly into the completely fenced yard. The fence should be in good condition and any holes, loose boards, weak sections, etc. should be repaired BEFORE the home visit and fence check. Electric / invisible fences are not accepted.

All other pets in the home must be spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots, and current on heartworm & flea prevention. Pets must be available during the home visit to be introduced to the pet you are hoping to adopt. 

We will contact your current veterinarian to confirm existing pets are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots, and current on heartworm & flea prevention. Please call your veterinarian and give permission to release your existing and/or prior pets medical information to us. 

Puppies aged 6 months & younger will only be adopted to applicants with at least one existing adult dog. Puppies get bored, destructive, stressed, and are more prone to separation anxiety when left alone. Puppies also learn from other dogs, which makes them a better adult dog. Many dogs end up outside, dumped at shelters, or returned to Tails of Hope Dog Rescue. This requirement is in place for the benefit of the family and the puppy.