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, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
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.
- 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 this file: sira_adoptionapplication-updated-12-4-2017.docx 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-prof 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!
PEACH
Hi everyone! I am Peach and I'm sweet just like my name! I am 8 years old and I spent most of my life in a puppy mill making babies. Life there was pretty rough, but foster mom says I never have to go back there again because now I'm a SIRA dog! At first, I was so scared - you see, the humans I'd known before weren't always very nice. I had no idea what was happening or what living in a home with people was all about. But these people were different. They fed me good food and got me all cleaned up and treated me with such love and kindness that eventually I I’ve come to realize people aren’t so bad! My foster family helped my feet get better -- they used to bother me, but now they don't so I can run around all I want! I'm slimming down nicely after all of that running. Do you have a yard that I can run in? Do you like to give chin scratches and snuggles? I'm a pretty calm laid-back girl and am fine spending time alone or with other nice dogs. I may be a little scared of a new family and new places and noises at first, but but once I get used to things, you'll see my sweet, peachy personality shine. If you're interested in me and you live in the Midwest, download the application to become an approved adopter.
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DAISYWhat's the prettiest flower ever? Well, I think it is me - Daisy! I'm 4 years old and I'm looking for my forever home. Could it be with you? I grew up in a commercial breeding facility where my job was to have puppies. But one day they decided that they didn't want me anymore. Some nice people came and brought me to my foster home. At first, I was terrified because I'd never been inside a house or lived with people before - but these people were different. They were gentle and kind and gave me good food and lots of treats and even toys to play with. I even had a bath! That wasn't much fun, but afterwards I felt so good! They even gave me these new things called toys to play with! I've been to see some doctors too who listened to my heart because I have something called an arrhythmia. They listened and listened and finally said I was okay. They recommended that I visit the doctor every year just to keep checking. My foster mom says that I am a very inquisitive little girl. She's right - I love exploring this big new world that I never knew about before. But sometimes all of the new noises and experiences are scary. I don't like thunderstorms and other loud noises. Little children also scare me, but I think I could learn to live with them over time if everyone is very patient with me. My favorite things to do are play with my toys and with the other dogs at my foster home. I also love to snuggle with my foster parents (on my own terms of course - I'm a Shiba, after all!). I also like to run fast! I'd love it if my forever home had another nice dog to play with and a fenced yard so I can run fast! If you live in the Midwest states and you're interested in finding out more about me, fill out an application form to become an approved adopter with SIRA.
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NOLA
Hello nice people! My name is Nola (my foster mommy pronounces it Nala) and I'm ready for my very own forever home! I'm a six year-old Shiba mix, and I may be little, but I've got a big personality! Are you looking for a cuddle bug who just loves everybody? Well, that's me! I love my humans very much and I love to welcome you home and greet all visitors who come and go. The minute you get home I’ll sing to you until you pet me, and then I’ll cover you in kisses. I get along nicely with the resident Shiba in my foster home and foster mama says that I’m just wonderful with the resident furless baby too! I’m very tolerant of whatever she wants to do. Foster mama says that I’m a very good girl because I’ve never had a single accident in my foster home! I love to get groomed and to get treats! I walk well on a leash (we’ve practiced in the fenced yard), but what’s even more fun is to run around and hunt moles. I’m a pretty healthy girl, but the doctor says that my left knee cap might slip out of place – it’s called a grade 3 luxating patella. It doesn’t bother me, and the vet said I don't need surgery but it’s something to keep an eye on. Also, I have cataracts in my eyes, which means that I don’t see quite as well as some other dogs, but I don’t care -- I think I’m perfect! It's possible that I am 100% blind in one eye and partially blind in my other eye. I get around great and my foster family gives me eye drops to help with my eyes. Can I come to your house and give you kisses and sing to you and snuggle with you all winter long? If you live in the Midwest and you’re interested in me – or any of the other foster dogs at SIRA – please download an application to become approved to adopt. Nola is fostered in Wisconsin.
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MARIKO
Hi everyone! My name is Mariko. My foster mom told me that I should introduce myself. She says that if I show you what a good girl I am that maybe one of you would want to be my forever person. I'm 9 years old and I spent my whole life at a commercial breeder. After many years of having puppies, I went with some other dogs on a long car ride and finally stopped in a place called Michigan to live with a human family. At first I was so scared that all I wanted to do was hide. But after a while, I realized that these humans were different than the ones I'd met before. They spoke softly and treated me gently and kindly. They gave me good food and fresh water and soft, warm places to sleep. They let me run around in their fenced yard -- that is fun! And they gave me my very own name! Foster mama says that I would do well with another laid-back dog or even as an only dog. I'm still pretty shy -- and new places and loud noises and sudden movements spook me. But once I learn to trust you, I blossom like a beautiful flower. Foster mama says that I'd do best in a quieter home with no little kids - older children would be okay if they understand how to respect a shy dog. I'd love to have a fenced yard to run around in - and a human or two to pet me and give me treats. If you are interested in me and you live in the Midwest, please download an application to start the process of becoming an approved adopter. Mariko is fostered in Michigan.
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LLOYD
Hi everyone! My name is Lloyd and I'm looking for my forever home. I just had my 1st birthday in April and a lot has happened in that short time. When I was just 6 months old, the breeder where I was born wanted to put me down because my eyes don't work very well. But thankfully I was rescued along with my brother. We went to live on a farm for a while, but the people there decided that it would be the best environment for us find perfect forever homes, so we became SIRA dogs. We like that much better. Our foster family took me to see a special eye doctor, who thinks that a birth defect makes my eyes water a lot and makes my vision not as good as it should be. But the good news is that it won't get any worse. Sometimes I spook easily, but once I get to know you and my surroundings, I get along just fine. I love my foster family and once I trust people I will follow them everywhere! I love to be petted and scratched. I'm also a good guard dog and have a deep bark to warn people when something is out of place. I'm still figuring out the whole leash walking thing. The eye specialist said that walks might be a bit more scary for me since my vision isn't 100%. But I really love having a nice fenced yard to run in. I do well with other dogs and would enjoy having a fur brother or sister. I'd like a home without small children, please, since they are quick and unpredictable and might scare me too much. My foster family says that I may be very timid at first but once I get comfortable I will give you kisses and be your best friend forever -- especially if you give me scritches! If you live in the midwest and are interested in me - or in any of SIRA's adoptable dogs - download an application to become approved to adopt. Lloyd is fostered in Missouri!
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KENAI
Meet Kenai! He was born in March and was meant for sale in a pet store until it was discovered he had a heart murmur by his breeder. SIRA was contacted and he was taken to the University of Illinois where a cardiologist determined he has a Ventricular Septal Defect. A VSD causes irregular communication in the ventricular septum, the wall that separates the ventricles (the two lower chambers of the heart) from one another. This results in blood being diverted or shunted from one side of the heart to the other. Kenai's VSD is small and is a lifelong condition requiring no medication, however it is recommended he have yearly echocardiograms, not get overheated, and follow a regular diet including grains. Kenai is fostered in Illinois and has proven himself to be quite the typical shiba escape artist, climbing over gates and opening doors. He loves his foster siblings and his human toddler friend too. He loves to snuggle and play, and is getting into his troublemaker phase. If you are interested in this special boy, please download an application to adopt Kenai!
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