How do I apply to foster or adopt? Our application can be completed HERE.
How long does it take to receive a response once I submit my application? It can take several days to weeks before you are contacted for a home visit depending on the volume of applications received, how long it takes to reach your references and/or landlord if applicable and availability of volunteers.
Where are you located? We are based out of the Chicago, IL area, but don’t have a physical shelter or location. All of our dogs are at foster homes across the Midwest.
I live outside of the Midwest, can I still adopt or foster? No, not at this time.
What are the adoption fees? Adoption fees are as follows:
Puppies to 1 year = $550.00 (Please note - all puppies under 6 months are required to be foster/foster to adopts due to spay/neuter age) (Foster/Foster to Adopt = $525.00*)
Adolescent 1-3 years = $450.00 (Foster/Foster to Adopt = $425.00*)
Young Adult 4-6 years = $350.00 (Foster/Foster to Adopt = $325.00*)
Adult 7-9 years = $300.00 (Foster/Foster to Adopt = $275.00*)
Senior 10+ years = $200.00
*Foster/Foster to Adopt rate only applies if fees are paid in full within 14 days of receipt of adoption contract. Dogs already listed as available for adoption are no longer eligible for Foster/Foster to Adopt rate.
Adoption fees may be paid by check, money order, cashiers check, Venmo or Zelle only! Fees paid by PayPal are subject to a service charge.
What if I get attached to my foster dog and want to adopt him/her? Foster homes always have the first right to adopt their foster dogs, whether a planned foster to adopt or just a foster.
What is the difference between fostering/fostering to adopt/adopting? Fostering is giving the dog a loving and supportive home, assessing the needs of the dog and preparing them for adoption. Fostering to adopt is the same, except the foster family intends to adopt the dog after the foster period. Fostering to adopt allows us to transport a dog to the “foster” family upon intake and allows the dog to adjust to new family and home during the foster period. While we have a high success rate at matching the right dog to the family, in the case that the foster dog isn’t the perfect fit, we ask that the family continue to foster the dog until their forever family is found. Adopting requires the family and all resident dogs to travel to the foster home to meet the dog and an overnight waiting period before the adoption can occur.
What costs are involved with fostering? SIRA pays all medical expenses for foster dogs and provides flea/tick and heart worm preventatives. We typically only ask the foster homes to pay for the food for the foster dog.
Will I need to take my foster dog to the vet? We try to at least get initial vetting done before dogs are sent to their foster homes, but that is not always possible and some dogs may require follow up care and/or procedures. Further information on vetting requirements can be found in our Foster Handbook and Agreement HERE.
How long should I expect to have a foster before they get adopted? The foster length varies from dog to dog. There is a minimum two week foster period required before a dog can be listed as available for adoption. Some dogs are ready to be posted for adoption right at the end of the two weeks, others may take several weeks or months to be ready for adoption. Other times fosters are needed for short term periods, such as when another foster home is on vacation.
There is a dog available that I am interested in, what do I do? The first step is to complete our adoption/foster application. Once the application is received and processed, you will be contacted by a volunteer for a home visit. Once you have been approved to adopt, if you are a good fit for the dog you are interested in and they are still available, your information will be sent to their foster home to discuss further. If you are already an approved adopter and there is a dog available you are interested in, please contact Kristi at volunteersirashibas@gmail.com and let her know!
I need to rehome my shiba, what do I do? Our surrender application can be completed HERE. ***PLEASE NOTE WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING SURRENDER APPLICATIONS***
How do I make a donation to your organization? Monetary donations may be made through PayPal by clicking HERE or by Venmo to @starr-coyle. Items may be donated from our amazon wish list HERE or our Chewy wish list HERE.
How can I support SIRA if I can’t foster or adopt and/or don’t live in the Midwest? If you live in the Midwest and want to help, we always need transport and home visit volunteers! Please complete a volunteer application HERE. If outside of the Midwest, you can help by donating and sharing our posts!
