Welcoming a rescue dog of any breed into your household is a big responsibility and with a rescued Bull Terrier, sometimes an even more challenging one. Following a few simple rules will get you and your bully through this time of adjustment. Routine is key in the introductory period. Don't overstimulate your bully during the transition period. Don't show him off to your friends right away; don't bring him to the pet store; don't take him to other new unfamiliar places. Take time to establish "home," establish the bond with your new dog, establish a routine. Too much too fast could adversely affect your dog and your relationship. Food, water, a few good walks per day for exercise, and time in the crate to take in all that has transpired should be your new bully's routine for a few days, weeks, sometimes months, depending on the dog.
By definition, your rescue dog has been displaced at least once. You may be his second, third or even first *real* home. As a pack animal, he needs time to adjust to his family and surroundings. He may bark, possibly lift his leg on your new couch, growl at other animals in the home, refuse food. These are often reactions to anxiety. Remember, patience and structure are the keys to making the adoption less stressful for you and your new dog. And we are always available to assist you in helping your bully relax and grow comfortable in his new surroundings.
Adoption Process
ADOPTION APPLICATION
1. Complete our application;
if you can't open it on-line,
we will mail one to you. We can't stress enough that we must know all about you and your household in order to find a perfect match.
2. We will contact you once we have reviewed your application and have determined if we have a dog right now that will suit your lifestyle and bull terrier experience. Please note: Some dogs have behavioral issues or health problems and might not be best suited for you, and sometimes we may not have an appropriate dog at a given time.
3. We will schedule a home-check or meet and greet in your home, sometimes even with the rescue dog. For all adoptions, we require a signed contract and adoption fee. Our adoption fees range from $300 to $600, depending upon the dog's age and health. A home check is required before any adoption! NO EXCEPTIONS.
We often are asked why we require an adoption fee. As a non-profit, all-volunteer organization, these fees help defray the veterinary expenses and transportation costs involved in rescuing our bull terriers, restoring them to health, and preparing them for their new life with you. Public shelters often charge less, even for purebreds, but they receive operating funds from their municipalities. As an independent breed rescue, we depend on the generous donations of individuals and our adoption fees to help us help the dogs.
4. Please be patient; we try to make the best match possible. We receive dogs frequently, ranging in age and circumstances. Just because we don't have a dog that's right for you today doesn't mean that your perfect companion won't come into our system in a week or a month.
5. We will airship our dogs, and are willing to adopt out of the area provided we can arrange suitable transportation.
6. All our dogs are spayed and neutered. We are not accountable for any health problems that are common with the breed after adoption.
Want to fly your dog safely; we will ship our rescue dogs if you pay for their safe flight. Visit www.petairways.com
Multi-Pet Households
Adding Another Pet:
Do you have the time, space, financial resources, living-partner support, and the understanding that some dogs might turn on one another years down the road? Are you prepared to feed separately and, if necessary, have your dogs live separately for the rest of their lives if they can't live peaceably with each other? These are some things you should think about before considering adding a bull terrier to your animal family.
Already have multiple animals and want advice on managing your household menagerie? Try this booklet: Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage & Enjoy Your Multi-Dog Household by Karen London & Patricia McConnell
Here are some books that shed more light on adding a bull terrier to your home:
Kid in a Dog Suit, a collection of stories about our beloved breed, by Bull Terrier Club of America
Bull Terriers, A Complete Pet Owner's Manual by Carolyn Alexander
A New Owner's Guide to Bull Terriers by Betty Desmond
Bones Would Rain from the Sky, building relationships with your dog, by Suzanne Clothier
Who Moved My Bone? by Theresa Mancuso
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