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, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, 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-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!

ALICE

Hi everybody! My name is Alice. I’m 4 years old and my foster mom says I’m the sweetest dog ever! I’m looking for my forever home, and I’m not the shy, timid type like many Shibas. So I’ll just let you know right from the start what my forever home wish list looks like. Okay. First of all I would like humans to cuddle and play with. They should take me on lots of leash walks so I can say greet all of the people in the neighborhood. Also, they should give me lots of treats. Foster mom says I’m quite the beggar when it comes to people food! I would like my very own special place to sleep at night and take naps, like the crate I have in my foster home. I would be fine being an “only dog” so I can have all of the chews and toys and attention all to myself. But if you have a nice bigger dog, that’s okay too. Foster mom says that I can be quite bossy with smaller dogs. I’ve never nipped or bitten, but I guess I can be loud and pushy with the other dogs sometimes when they have something that I want. I haven’t met any human kids yet, but foster mom thinks I’d like them. My forever home should be very careful about open doors. When I see a door opening, I will push my way through to try to go exploring. So far, I have not tried to escape out of the fenced yard, though. Since I’m still getting used to life outside of a commercial breeding facility, sometimes loud or unexpected noises startle me, like the sound of other dogs on TV. When that happens I will bark to let everyone know. I am healthy, spayed and up-to-date on vaccinations and I weigh just under 20 lbs. I’m still mastering potty training, so my forever home should be prepared to help me practice. I am being fostered in the Kansas City area. If you live in the Midwest and want a pretty, petite little blondie like me for your very own, download the application to become approved to adopt. Once approved, SIRA will introduce you to my foster family so we can meet!

STORMY

Hi, my name is Stormy. I am almost 9 years old and spent 8 of those years in a commercial breeding facility where it was my job to have lots and lots of puppies. One day last year, some nice people came and took me on a really long ride to a place called a foster home. I had never been anywhere before and everything was so different and new - wow, was I scared! When I got there, I saw a doctor who said that I had something called heart worm disease and would need treatment. So I had to stay very quiet and calm for a few months. But I was a very good girl and now all the heart worms are gone and I'm healthy! Foster mom says that I'm a very calm and gentle girl. Foster mom says that she can't wait to see my true personality and inner Shibatude emerge now that I'm healthy and can hang out with the other dogs. For now, I am pretty shy and still learning that I can trust humans. Loud noises and sudden movements are particularly frightening to me, so I would do best in a quiet home without small children. My foster family has been trying to teach me to walk on this thing called a leash, but I really just don't understand it. So it would be best if my forever home has a securely fenced yard. When I first got to my foster home, I was pretty shy about going potty, especially outside with all of the strange scary noises. So my foster parents taught me to use potty pads inside so I didn’t have accidents! Now that I am brave enough to be off the leash In the yard more, I’m learning that I don't have to be quite as shy about doing my business out there! I really like my foster siblings a lot, especially the little puppy that lives here too. It would be great if my forever home had another dog to help show me the ropes! Stormy is currently fostered in Missouri!

SUZU

My name is Suzu and I'm looking for my forever home. I'm about 9 or 10 years old and lived my whole life at a commercial breeding facility making puppies. A few weeks ago, SIRA came and brought me to my foster home in Michigan. Let me tell you, I had no idea what was out there in the world! It was like landing on Mars! I'd never lived with people or been in a home before and I had never gone for a walk in a neighborhood. So at first everything was new and scary. Loud noises, cars, wind, sudden movements, bicycles, excited dogs, even the dangling end of a leash or a new surface under my feet can make me want to run and hide. But being near my foster mom helps me to be brave. I may be shy and cautious at first, but once I get to know you, I want to soak up all the attention and affection! Cuddling on the couch or in bed are my favorite things to do with my humans. Oh, and did I mention treats? I love treats! Especially the soft kind . I never had toys before, so I don't know how to play with them. But I sometimes like to chase little critters outside. Chew sticks are nice (foster mom keeps an eye on me so I don't go overboard). I enjoy going for walks and like to take my time so I can smell ALL the smells. Foster mom says I'm a good girl and very clever. I am house trained and only do my business outside. I also use my nose and head to open doors and move things around as I explore. So you'll need to be very careful when opening doors and if you have a yard, it will need to be securely fenced with no gaps or open gates so I don't get spooked and bolt or sneak out. I’ll want you to be outside with me, since I’m uneasy in open spaces. My ideal forever home would be a quiet place with someone who is home a lot to spend time with me and go for walks together. I would be fine as an only dog, but if you have another small, calm dog, that might be okay. I’ve never met a cat, so I don’t know if I’d like them or not. Small kids are not a good match for me. I take medicine in the morning to help me feel good (for arthritis and allergies). I am very determined to lick my belly way too much, so my foster mom gives me allergy pills with my food and makes sure I am not licking myself too much (we think I may be allergic to beef or chicken or wheat). I’m spayed and up-to-date on vaccinations. The vet says I have something called a grade 3 heart murmur which doesn’t require any medication or special care, but is something to monitor as I get older. Since I am missing some teeth, my foster mom mixes wet food with kibble that comes in small pieces. If you live in the Midwest and want a friend like me to cuddle with and go for walks with, visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt for more information. Download the application to start the process of becoming approved to adopt. Once approved, SIRA can introduce you to my foster mom if we’re a good match so you can meet me. There are other SIRA dogs who also need homes if I’m not the right fit.

CAMILLA

My name is Camilla, but you can call me Cami! I'm 9 years old and I'm looking for my forever home. I am a very shy girl, but once I get to know you and feel comfortable with you, I can be very affectionate and will show you my curious side. My perfect forever home would have another nice dog or two. I love spending time with the other Shibas here at my foster home and follow them around. My foster dad says that I'm really sweet natured and good with other dogs. I'd also love a forever home that has soft beds and couches to cuddle on and tasty treats... And a human or two to pet me on my head and give me ear scritches. These are things I didn't know anything about until a month ago! You see, I spent my whole life making puppies at a commercial breeding facility. I was so scared when SIRA came to get me, but now I'm learning to love this new life. Because everything about living in a home with humans is new, I'm still pretty skittish, especially at unexpected movements or loud noises. Foster dad says I'd do best in a calm home that has some experience with shy dogs and one that doesn't have little kids. Little kids with lots of energy are scary to me. So far, I'm more comfortable with female humans than with male humans, so a forever home with a nice lady would be great. Other animals are fine too. I'd also love to have a yard to play in. At 32 lbs, I'm a pretty big girl and love to have room to stretch my legs after so many years of being confined. Foster dad says that it must be a very securely fenced yard though. You see, I have that common Shiba urge to run as soon as I see an open door. For that reason, my forever family will need to be really careful when they come and go from outside that I don't escape, especially when I'm still getting used to a new home. I've learned so much since coming to my foster home - like going for walks on a leash! Foster dad says I'm really good, but sometimes I like to chase the little critters that I see when we're out on walks, so you'll need to hold on tight! I'm also potty trained and spayed, and up-to-date on my vaccinations. I'm being fostered in MN. If you live in the midwest and think you might want to be my new forever home, the next step is to start the process of becoming approved to adopt through SIRA.

MICKEY

Hi Everyone!
My name is Mickey. I am six years old and have spent my entire life with a commercial breeder. 2 months ago, I went to live in a place called a "foster home". My new mom has been very nice to me. I have a nice warm bed and lots of good food. My foster mom says I'm shy, curious, silly and a bit cautious. I'm afraid of loud noises (like a vacuum cleaner) and I will hide in my crate. Sometimes I boop mom's hand with my nose for pets. Once I decompress, I'm a great addition to your home.
Mickey is skittish at first and can be a door bolter or escape artist (like most Shibas) if given the chance. You must always use pet gates before opening any doors. He has started going on walks and does very well on a leash. He loves his walks. Cars can be a little scary so quiet neighborhoods or trails are the best. The vet says he is very sweet and he's learning to cuddle on the couch.
His future parents need to be patient with him. He's working on potty training but still wears a belly band. He would do well with another dog with proper introduction. He is considered a high flight risk. He's been seen jumping pretty high. Even in a fenced yard, he still needs to be leashed.
He would do best in a calm household with a Shiba savvy family. He is currently being fostered in the Chicago suburbs.
If you think Mickey is the right fit for your home, please submit an adoption application at www.savingshibas.com!

RAMEN & SOBA

Everyone knows that Shiba Inu are like potato chips – you can’t have just one, right? Here’s your chance to double your fun! We are Soba and Ramen, 3 year-old Shiba Inu looking for our forever home. Our current family is moving out of the country and can’t take us with them. We would prefer to find a forever home where we can stay together.
I’m Soba – the pretty red-headed girl in the photos. I weigh 29 lbs and am healthy, spayed, and up-to-date on vaccinations. I am a little shy and cautious at first when I meet new people and new dogs and in new settings. But I’m very smart and learn quickly. Once I get to know you, I’m very sweet and affectionate and good at communicating with my humans. In fact, I often follow my family around looking for attention and will greet you with joy and leaps and kisses when you come home. I have lots of energy and love to play and go for walks. I like to run fast, but I’m polite and don’t pull on the leash. I also love tummy rubs and scratches. I’m a good girl too – my family says that I’m obedient and cooperative. But I’m also an escape artist, so I’ll need a well-fitting harness and someone who knows how to prevent me from slipping out of it. I’m not a big fan of being picked up and I can be protective of my personal space. Sometimes I try to boss around other dogs and hoard all the toys for myself. Like many Shibas, I have a high prey drive and I love to hunt for critters.
I’m Ramen – the handsome black and tan dude in the photos. My family says I’m goofy, lazy, and super cute. I weigh 32 lbs, and like my sister, I’m healthy, neutered and up to date on vaccinations. I’m a pretty laid-back, chill, relaxed kind guy. While Soba is running around playing, you can usually find me taking a nap. I’m pretty independent and don’t mind hanging out by myself. I don’t come to humans looking for attention very often, but I love being rubbed and massaged all over. I’ll let you know with a big smile if you find just the right spot to scratch on the back of my neck or my ribs. I’m not bothered by loud noises, but boy do I hate the vacuum cleaner! I love going on walks so I can explore and sniff everything, and I do tug on the leash. I’m not into playing with toys as much as my sister Soba, but I do have a high prey drive and have caught moles and birds before. I can be protective of my 'stuff' sometimes, because Soba would steal it all if I wasn’t! While I’d like to boss her around, she can kick my butt in a fight every time, so I guess I’m a lover, not a fighter, at heart. I can be a bit of an escape artist, so I’ll need a well-fitted harness and someone who knows how to handle me to prevent escapes. I hate baths, but don’t mind swimming in a creek. I love finding favorite spots to nap, like outside in the sun, on carpeted stairs, or favorite 'safe places' under couches or beds.
Our ideal forever home would include a securely fenced yard and someone who is open to feeding a raw diet (our favorite). We haven’t lived with any small kids or cats, but given our high prey drive, cats are probably not a great match for us. We currently live near St. Louis, Missouri. If you live in the Midwest and are interested in us, visit www.savingshibas.com/adopt to start the process of becoming approved to adopt through SIRA. The application process helps SIRA learn about you so they can ensure a good match. Once approved, we can set up a time to meet!