interested in adopting?

1. complete adoption form

2. we’ll promptly Contact you by phone or email (1-3 days)

3. if it sounds like a match, we will promptly schedule a meet & Greet

  • If you don’t get the first dog you apply for, we are happy to keep your application on file for new, incoming dogs.

  • You do not have to complete a new form every time for each new dog, so please make sure to be as honest and thorough as possible in your answers to help us get to know you better as dog owners!

  • Application to Adoption - Timeline:

    • If it is a potential match after application and call, prepare to meet dog of interest in as little as 1-2 days. All household members + current dogs must attend the meet and greet. While there is no pressure to adopt on the spot, you may be welcome to bring home your new BFF the same day. Sometimes we may schedule a second meet and greet, or ask both parties take a day to think on the decision! We cannot do holds, so once the decision is made by both parties to proceed, we will arrange a transfer within 1-2 days.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

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  • How & where do I meet the dog I’m interested in?

WHERE: Meets & greet are most often held at the fosters home/backyard. Due to the nature of our foster-based rescue, meet & greets are usually with only one dog at a time.

HOW: Complete the adoption form linked above.The more detail the better! Help us get to know you as dog owners.

WHY? Your adoption application helps us pair you with potential matches. It is our job to make sure our animals go to the best homes possible. Please be sure to include pics/videos of your home, backyard & current pets in a separate email, or your application may not be reviewed.

Pro Tip: Puppy Adoptions are often more competitive, so please be extra thorough in your answers to help us distinguish your home from other interested homes.

  • What are your adoption fees & why are they priced this way?

WHAT: HFP kindly asks for a starting $250 adoption donation, (Puppies 2-4 months: $375-$500. Some dogs may have lower or higher suggested adoption donations. Adoption Donations are non-refundable. Each dog’s individual adoption donation is listed in their bio at: Meet the Dogs.

WHY: Your generous donation helps cover the costs of wellness checks, spay/neuter surgeries, emergency services, major surgeries for medical-needs dogs, medications, monthly preventatives, grooming, transport, training, boarding, equipment & food.  The costs to treat a healthy adult dog in our program may include, but is not limited to: spay/neuter ($125-400), vaccinations ($15-40 per vaccine), microchips ($15-50), flea/tick treat/deworm/monthly medicines ($15-75).

We routinely spend thousands of dollars on individual dogs who need procedures, hospitalization, or in some cases, life-saving surgeries. We are a small (but mighty!) force run completely by caring volunteers. We pay out of pocket expenses everyday to do what needs to be done for the animals that need us most.

Puppy Adoptions are higher as they generate the majority of the funds to pay it forward to longer term residents, special-needs, and medical-needs cases… Think of it as a “cuteness” tax :)

Please note: For puppies between 2-4 months that are not yet spayed/neutered, per spay/neuter agreement clause in HFP’s Transfer of Care/Custody Contract, adopters must bring the puppy to a pre-scheduled appointment in Sac Area covered/provided through HFP at agreed upon date in adoption contract. If adopters live too far or would rather the procedure be done by their private vet/a closer location, the adopter must complete & provide proof of surgery by 20-24 weeks of age. While some vets may suggest you wait a year to get your puppy fixed, our agreement is firm that the surgery must be done by 20-24 weeks. Upon timely proof of spay/neuter, HFP can provide an available reimbursement (up to $150). Adopters must finish any age-appropriate shots for puppies and agree to provide proper vetting and care for the dogs’ lifetime. Adoptions are contingent upon the signing of spay/neuter agreement and timely procedures. IMPORTANT: As of July 2022, the puppy spay neuter agreement addendum is limited to proof of surgery by 20-24 weeks for available listed reimbursement.

Spay/Neuter Agreement for Special Cases: If your adult dog is not yet fixed, per adoption contract, adopter agrees to bring the dog to its pre-paid/preset appointment in Sacramento. If an adopter lives too far or would rather the procedure be done by their private vet or a closer location, adopter must complete & provide proof of surgery by agreed upon date in contract. Upon proof of timely spay/neuter, HFP can refund $100-$150 (size/sex dependent).

Adoptions are contingent upon the signing of spay/neuter agreement and timely procedures. If an animal misses their appointment, or proof of surgery is not provided, HFP will take steps to reclaim the animal.


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When you adopt a HFP dog, you:




1) directly save a life.

2) help raise funds for vetting & care.

3) create space for another deserving soul still waiting to be rescued.




  • Do I have to complete a separate adoption form for future dogs?

    NO. Once you have completed an adoption form, we are happy to keep your form on file for future matches for up to 4 months.

    If major circumstances change, or other relevant/applicable info changes — (moves, household members, current pets, work schedules) — we would you be asked to complete another form. If you have an application on file, keep an eye on our social media/website and if you see a dog that tugs at your heart strings, shoot us an email to discuss the potential match.




  • What are your Adoption Requirements?

    We aim to find homes with the time, dedication and commitment to fully incorporate a new animal into the family.

    Our adopters MUST provide vetting & diligent care throughout the animal’s life

    For first-time owners, or specific dogs, we may require adopters enroll in training classes with their new pet to help ensure long-term success. We also ask adopters to stay in touch with pictures/updates periodically. HFP reserves the right to scheduled home-check pre, and or post-adoption.

  • We try our best to address each dog’s and adopter’s needs but should an adoption not work out, we require adopters inform HFP before any other steps are taken. Why? We want to make sure our dogs never end up in shelters again. Our Adoption Agreement, Costs, and Contracts are comparable to many of the most reputable rescues in our area.

  • What are some things to expect when adopting a new dog?

Some families come in with an unrealistic expectation that the dog will be able to assimilate to their family with very little transition time. Very few dogs can do this. For the majority, it requires time, patience, consistency and bonding time for the animal to feel comfortable.

For the sake of the dog, you must respect this transition time (decompression), and the vital need to take the first few weeks (or months) SLOWLY. Even if your dog is coming from a loving foster home, there’s a lot of stress associated with so much change. As the new pet parent, you should be prepared to help make the transition as comfortable and soothing as possible.  Treat the dog with respect while giving gentle guidance, play, exercise (walking is a great way to build bond, trust, familiarize your dog to your neighborhood, and stay active), and building trust with consistency and lots of treats/positive reinforcement and rewards. Working on engagement and building a strong bond between you and your new best friend early, is the best first step you can take on your new journey together.

HFp’s REcOMMENDED list of Trainers / Veterinarians:

  • LAst Thoughts:

We hope you have already put lots of time & thought into adopting a dog before contacting us. Moves, finances, time constraints, and other life changes are only some of the most common reasons dogs are surrendered shelters every day. As a dog owner, how will you face these changes should they occur unexpectedly?

If adoption is further down the road…. a great place to start is volunteering at your local shelter. Volunteering to walk and care for the dogs who desperately need it will increase your skills/abilities, allow you to interact with many types of animals, and give you a greater understanding of a shelter dog’s journey to a forever home.

If you are on the fence, or not quite sure if now is the right time, what kind of dog fits best for your lifestyle, or have other reservations, we strongly encourage you to foster or foster-to-adopt (like a trial of sorts) first, before diving in. Please head over to our foster page to learn more about these options.

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So, are READY TO FIND YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND?

Because they're ready to find you.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PET