Adopt

Shiba Inu Rescue Association Adoption Process

So you've seen the beautiful, headstrong breed known as the Shiba Inu. You've looked at your living situation and decided that you are ready to open your home to a homeless Shiba. Now the question is, how do you adopt one? Below is SIRA's adoption process explained. Please read all the information as our process may differ from other shelters or rescue organizations you may have looked into adopting from. We currently CANNOT accept applications from people outside of the Midwest region. Our service area includes Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

The first step in adopting a rescue Shiba from SIRA is to fill out our adoption application. This allows us to find out more about you and your family, your living situation and what you are looking for in a forever friend. You must complete all applicable fields in the application and be as detailed as possible. Incomplete applications will be returned for correction. Click HERE to download the application. When you have completed it, please send it in the form of a word document or PDF to adoptsirashibas@gmail.com. No other formats will be accepted and please do not copy and paste the application into an email. If you have any problems or questions do not hesitate to contact us at the above email address.
Once we receive and review your application, we will call and verify your references. All applicants are REQUIRED to provide TWO non-related references that do not reside in your home. These should be people who have been around your pets or are familiar with your pet experience If that is not possible (i.e. you have never owned pets or have not owned any for many years) please provide references who know you well.
If you currently own or have owned pets, you will need to provide us with your most recent veterinarian's information and please contact them to grant permission to release your records to Shiba Inu Rescue Association. Failure to do so will result in a delay of the adoption process.
If you are renting, you will need to provide us with your landlord's information. Please also let us know of any breed/weight/pet restrictions set by your landlord. We will be calling to verifying all information. It might be helpful to let your landlord know we will be contacting them. If we cannot verify that you are allowed to have a dog, it delays the process.
You must be at least 21 years of age to adopt.
Once the application is approved and references are checked, we will find a volunteer to perform your home visit. The volunteer will make arrangements to visit with you in your home. PLEASE NOTE: ALL FAMILY MEMBERS, INCLUDING CHILDREN, MUST BE PRESENT FOR THE ENTIRE HOME VISIT. The home visit gives us the opportunity to discuss with you and your family any issues or potential dangers for the dog (i.e. exposed wires, possible escape issues, etc. ). We can then offer suggestions of how to Shiba-proof your home and management techniques to keep the dog safe and everyone happy. This is also the time for us to find out and discuss with you exactly what your are looking for in a dog, and what will fit best with your family.
Find your forever friend! Once your home visit has been completed and you have been approved to adopt, you may begin the search for your forever friend. Use the email links on the dogs' bio pages to contact the foster families and let them know you are interested in their foster.
Foster families care for the rescued shibas in their home for an average of 6-8 weeks. They evaluate the dogs and find out how they are with adults, children, dogs, cats and other pets if possible. They know how much stimulation and activity their foster dog needs in addition to any training that may be needed in the future.
All potential adopters are required to meet their new dogs in person and resident dogs must meet the foster dog. There is also a 24 hour waiting period before adoption may occur.
If you are not able to adopt the first dog you are interested in, please do not be discouraged. This does not mean you are not a good home for a rescue Shiba, it only means that there was another family who's situation was better for that particular dog. Keep looking and inquire when you see a dog you are interested in. Your perfect match is out there and you will find it. We will help you in the process!

ADOPTION!
Once you have found your perfect match and the foster home has approved you to adopt their foster dog, an adoption day will be arranged. All resident dogs must meet potential new dogs. We require a waiting period as well. Before your forever friend comes home, you will need to be sure you have all the necessary supplies to care for your new Shiba. A Shopping Check List is available for you to use. You will be required to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian within the first 10 days of adoption and provide proof of such check up to the adoption coordinator. The final stop in the process is to sign the adoption contract and pay the adoption fee!

Adoption fees vary depending on the age of the dog:
Puppies under 6 months = $500.00
Puppies 6 months to 1 year = $400.00
Adolescent 1-3 years = $350.00
Young Adult 4-6 years = $300.00
Adult 7-9 years = $250.00
Senior 10+ years = $200.00

Shiba Inu Rescue Association reserves the right to deny any applicant at any stage in the adoption process for any reason.

ADOPTABLE DOGS!

HETTY

My name is Hetty and I'm looking for my forever home! I'm 3 years old and I'm a tiny little girl, weighing just 15 lbs. I live in Omaha, NE. I came here from a commercial breeding facility where I lived my whole life. I may be small, but I have plenty of energy! I am a bit timid with humans, but I love other dogs! I love to play and run after them in the yard. I play-bow and leap in the air and bounce around to get the other dogs in my foster home to play with me. I'll go outside to the fenced yard and come back inside all on my own when foster mom opens the door. Even though I'm shy around humans, foster mom says that I'm getting more confident every day. I'm just so curious that I'll follow foster mom around the house to see what she's doing. I will let her pet me and pick me up. I haven't yet got the hang of leash walking. Foster mom says it's slow progress since I'm not crazy about the leash, but we're working on it. I'm not super food-motivated and eat mostly at night when everything is quiet. I'm starting to eat a little bit while foster mom is working nearby during the day, which makes foster mom proud because it shows I'm starting to become comfortable living with people. My perfect forever home will definitely have another nice dog to play with me and be friends with me. Having another dog around really helps my confidence as they show me the ropes of this new life I'm living. I'd really love to have a securely fenced yard, since I love to run and play outside. My forever family will need to be patient with me as I continue to learn the people are kind and can be trusted. If you're familiar with dogs from commercial breeders like me, that would be good. Everyone likes to feel understood. I promise that if you're nice to me, I'll continue to relax and learn to trust. Other than that, I'm spayed, up-to-date on vaccinations, and healthy. Foster mom says I'm even scheduled for a dental cleaning soon. Hm... I wonder what that will be like? If you live in the midwest and are looking for a pretty little girl like me to join your family, visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to start the application process. Applying helps SIRA learn more about you so they can make sure we'll be a good match. Once approved, SIRA can introduce you to my foster mom so we can meet.

IVORY

My name is Ivory and I’m looking for my forever home. I’m a 3-year-old, 35-lb female Shiba mix. We’re not quite sure what the “mix” part is, but my foster mom thinks maybe a yellow lab? Foster mom says that whatever I’m mixed with sure likes people! Unlike many Shibas, I just melt onto nice people. I love love LOVE to get pets and to snuggle. No lap is too small for me to squeeze onto! SIRA doesn’t know a lot about my history. I was found as a stray with no tag or microchip and was brought to a high-kill shelter in St. Louis. I currently live in an active house with a resident Shiba, two cats, and three kids, plus my foster mom. I get along with everyone! I’ve never met a stranger. Any visitors are just more people to love on me! I love to play with my foster brother, especially tug-of-war with the same toy. He’s younger than me, and in typical little bro fashion, he always wants to play with the toy I want to play with. After I got to know him, I decided that’s okay with me. We also like to race each other around the backyard. Wrestling is pretty fun too. Sometimes I’m curious about the kitties here and see if they want to play too, but mostly I just ignore them. They like to play with my tail (apparently it wags a lot and they think it’s a cat toy) but I don’t mind. I love human kids too (the youngest one here is 9 y.o.) because they give me lots of pets and attention. I can’t get enough of that! I haven’t met any really little kids though. I’m house-, kennel-, and leash-trained, and know basic commands. Overall, I’m a pretty happy and easy-going girl, and my foster mom hasn’t encountered anything that fazes me yet. I’m healthy, spayed, and up to date on my vaccinations. I’m being fostered in the Blue Springs, MO area. If you live in the Midwest and are interested in a happy, active, snuggle buddy like me, visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to start the application process. Once you’re approved, SIRA can introduce you to my foster mom so we can meet.

PEPPA

My name is Peppa or you can call me Pep-Squeak like my foster family does. I'm looking for my forever home. I'm a petite 4-year-old little lady and until recently I was a breeder dog. Foster mom says I'm a special girl because despite my background, I am a trusting and friendly girl. I love nearly everybody - women, men, kids and other nice, non-reactive dogs. I like to take my time when meeting a new person or dog. I might be shy or wary at first, but once I've taken a few minutes to check things out, I warm up quickly and enjoy making friends. Once we're friends, I'm very affectionate. I love to cuddle on the sofa and give kisses, get belly rubs, or just hang out near where you are. I am currently living in St. Paul, MN and though I don't beg to go outside when it's cold and wet, the cold weather doesn’t bother me. I enjoy taking long walks when the weather is nice. And I get right down to business so I won't make you wait for me to go potty. I am house trained and will wake you up to let you know that I have to go outside if it is an emergency. While a securely fenced yard isn't a requirement, I'd love to have one to run around in. Like a lot of Shibas, I have a pretty high prey drive and love to chase after all of the critters. For that reason, I should not be left in the yard unsupervised or allowed off-leash unless in a securely fenced area. I'm a pretty calm dog, but I do like to keep watch and alert my foster family about exciting things that happen, like the person who delivers the mail or a car that passes by too slowly, or a dog walking in front of the house. I don't like loud noises, but I'm a curious girl and will have to investigate to make sure everything is okay. Foster mom says that I'm a good girl. I am not food aggressive at all (I like to eat from the same bowl most days as my foster fur-bro Bruce even though we each have our own). But I am protective of toys and high value snacks. I have never bit a family member, but I do growl at my Bruce when he gets too close to a bone that I am currently chewing on. I am a good sleeper, but I would really prefer not to sleep in a crate. The crate is okay for short periods of time when foster mom is running errands, but I prefer to either sleep on the couch or snuggle up in bed next to you if you’ll let me. I’m a healthy girl, spayed and up to date on vaccinations. I weigh 23 pounds and foster mom thinks I'd be fine as an only dog or with a family that has another nice dog. If you live in the midwest and are interested in a sweet Shiba to snuggle, visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to start the application to become approved to adopt. The application helps SIRA get to know you so they can make sure we’re a good match. Once approved, SIRA will introduce you to my foster family so we can meet.

SASHA

Hi, my name is Sasha and I’m looking for my forever home. I’m five years old and my foster family says I’m a sweetheart! Until recently, I lived in a home with a family, but they decided that they couldn’t care for me any longer. A really nice lady took me in and helped me get to my foster home. So, a bit more about me: I’m pretty nervous and shy and cautious around people who I don’t know. But if you’re patient with me and help me build trust (and give me hot dogs), I’ll be your best girl. Some things I love include being outside. I love to hang out in the securely fenced yard at my foster home and play with the other dogs in my foster home. What’s even better is when foster mom takes me for a walk! I love exploring. And I love hot dogs! But more on that later… I like my foster home and get excited when my foster parents come back home, even though I still play hard-to-get when they want to pet me. I’m pretty laid-back when I’m indoors. I’m a very good girl. I’m house-trained and don’t even jump up on the furniture (even though my foster family says it’s okay). I like to sit in front of the TV and take a nap, or even go down the hall to the bedroom to get some alone time. My wish list for my forever home would include humans who are patient and gentle with me to help me not feel so scared. I will need at least one other nice dog to play with, and a securely fenced yard to play in. I’d love to have a quiet home without small kids… but with lots and LOTS of hot dogs!! Did I mention that I like hot dogs? Yeah. I REALLY like hot dogs!! I weigh about 25 lbs and am healthy and spayed and up-to-date on vaccinations. I’m being fostered in the Madison, WI area. If you live in the Midwest and would like to be my forever home, the next step is to visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to start the process of becoming approved to adopt. Just download the application that will help SIRA learn more about you to see if we might be a good match. Once you’re approved, SIRA can introduce you to my foster family so we can meet.

ROSIE

My name is Rosie and I'm a lover! I love people, I love long walks at the lake and going for hikes, I love tennis balls, I love treats, I love stuffed toys, squeaky toys, and chewy toys. However, most of all I love getting petted!! I've learned quickly (because I'm super smart) that if I sit or do what my foster humans ask me to do, I get lots and lots of attention and petting. And then I’ll roll over for more belly rubs. So my forever home should have lots of love to give and time for lots of fun activities (and also frozen stuffed Kongs). I’m one year old and weigh 32 lbs. Yep. I am still a big puppy. I’m silly and goofy and very curious. Sometimes I’m so curious that I get myself in trouble. But I try hard to be a good girl and will be loyal to my humans forever.
I came into SIRA’s care after I was found tied to a stop sign and was brought to a high-kill shelter. Nobody had taught me the things I needed to know to be a good family member, but now I’m learning. I know lots of commands. I am also learning that I don’t need to use my mouth to get attention from my humans, because they will give me the love and affection I crave anytime – especially when I ask politely (instead of nipping at their shoes or pants legs). My foster family is working with a trainer to help me learn that I don’t need to protect or “resource guard” things that I love. I’m very curious and love to explore all of the smells. I’ve learned that I can reach things on counters and sometimes that’s where especially interesting treats can be found and I have fun stealing shoes and socks. I’m very motivated by praise and nothing makes me happier than being told I’m a “good girl.” I just love to love, especially bringing my toys over and jumping up on the couch to get pets (and then rolling over on my belly for belly rubs). I have not yet tried to jump over baby gates or fences, but my forever family should know that Shibas can sometimes be escape artists and door bolters. Like many Shibas, I do have a high natural prey drive. I’m very interested in hunting critters, so my forever home should not have cats, small dogs or small pets.
My ideal forever home will be experienced dog owners who are committed to continuing with training so I’ll become a happy and well-mannered adult. I’m being fostered in the Kansas City area. I’d love to live with an active family, since I love going for walks and hikes. But my forever home should probably not have little kids since I might be too much for them. A nice, active dog my size or larger could be a good match if they can help show me the ropes and don’t mind a bit of rough play. When I go to training I love to play with my big dog friends. I am crate trained, but I get so bored and antsy if I’m left alone for more than a few hours that it would be good for me to get a break mid-day and lots of things to do to keep busy (so I don’t invent my own things to do that end up being destructive). I have lots of energy and am usually raring to go again after a short rest. I enjoy watching out the window and will sometimes bark at the people and dogs passing by.
It would be great if my forever home had a securely fenced yard, but I could also do well even in an apartment if my humans make sure I have plenty of exercise. My foster family thinks I’d be a Rockstar at agility training. While I love going on adventures outside and running and jumping. Generally, I’m fearless. But road trips are not always fun for me. I sometimes get anxious and drooly and carsick when we go for rides, especially if I’ve just eaten. I don’t mind baths too much, but I would much rather roll around in something stinky or jump in the water than take a bath. I don’t like getting my nails trimmed. I love, love, love treats! And if you give me zucchini I will love you forever. But I do have a sensitive tummy, so foster mom says I can’t have too many treats at once.
If you live in the Midwest and are interested in me, the first step is to apply to become approved to adopt with SIRA. Applying helps SIRA learn more about you. Once fully approved, if we look like a good match they will introduce you to my foster family so we can meet! Visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to download the application.

KATIE

My name is Katie and I’m looking for my forever home. I’m 4 years old, and until recently, I lived at a commercial breeding facility in MO where it was my job to make puppies. That’s not an easy life, especially for a tiny girl like me (I weigh only 15 pounds). I have a few battle scars to prove it! But those days are behind me now and I’m starting to adjust to living in a home with people. I’m learning that humans can be kind and gentle. I’m more comfortable with my foster mom than I am with my foster dad – men are kinda terrifying to me. Everything about this new world is so unfamiliar and scary. But foster mom says I’m starting to get the hang of things. I’m quiet and shy, but foster mom says I’m a sweetheart. I never growl and rarely bark and I don’t have accidents in the house. Foster mom says I’m smart too. I learned those things called stairs! I’d never seen them before, but I figured out how to go up them and how to go down again. At first, I was scared to walk on carpet because it was squishy and weird – not like the hard surfaces I was used to at the breeders. But now it’s no big deal. A few things here in my foster home are helping me to adapt. I have my very own safe place in my foster home that’s called the laundry room. I spend a lot of my time there because it is small and cozy and helps me feel safe and protected. All I ever knew before was life in a small, enclosed space at the breeders, so having a cozy safe space is comforting. I eat my meals there – foster mama closes the door so I can relax and not be startled. There are small humans here at my foster home (ages 7 and 9). They know to give me space because I’m pretty scared of them. There are other dogs here in my foster home and they are showing me that I can venture out of my safe space to hang out in the rest of the house or see what foster mom is doing. I also like going outside in the yard here. There are lots of interesting smells to sniff and places to explore. When I first got here, I would look for places to hide and foster mom was scared that I might find a way to escape, but now that I’m used to the yard I like to just poke around or sit in the sun. Foster mom is teaching me about walking on a leash! I definitely need more practice to get the hang of that. My ideal forever home will be a quiet, calm place with a securely fenced yard. I’d really like it if my forever humans would could find a nice cozy, protected spot that can be my new safe place. My forever humans will need to be very patient and gentle with me as I adapt. But I promise to be a good girl! No little kids, please. They scare me too much! If you have other friendly dogs, that would be nice, but foster mom thinks I’d be okay as an only dog too. If you have a cat, that’s okay too. I pretty much ignore them and let them be. I’m being fostered in Iowa City, IA. I’m spayed and up-to-date on vaccinations. If you live in the Midwest and are interested in a sweet little girl like me, visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to start the application to become approved to adopt. The application helps SIRA get to know you so they can make sure we’re a good match. Once approved, SIRA will introduce you to my foster mom so we can meet.