Adoption Process

All adoption applicants should read and familiarize themselves with the adoption process prior to submitting an application.

In order to provide transparency and clarity into the process, Second Chance Habitat has established the following procedures and policies in relation to the Adoption Process.

Step 1: Read this document in full. It answers most questions we receive regarding the rescue and the adoption process. If you still have questions, please message us on Facebook or email us at adoptionsecondchance@gmail.com. You can also text 757-630-6181.

Step 2: Complete the adoption application. You may request an application via our Facebook page, by emailing adoptionsecondchance@gmail.com, or by downloading the form right here. Applications work best from a computer rather than a phone. Completed applications may be messaged through our Facebook page or emailed to adoptionsecondchance@gmail.com. 

Step 3: Your application will be reviewed by an adoption coordinator.

• If any information on the application is incomplete, it may not be reviewed. Ex: if you don't give us your landlord or vet's phone number, we won't be able to review it and will mark it incomplete.

• Please be sure to contact your vet before you submit your application and give them permission for us to speak with them.

• One of our volunteers will check the references on your application, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible with the feedback.

Step 4: If you are considered to be a potential adoption candidate based on the application review and reference checks, you will be connected with the dog’s foster or other rescue personnel to schedule a meeting with the dog. If you have other pets, we encourage them to be present. All members of the family living in the home should meet the dog before the dog enters your home as a foster to adopt or adoption.

Step 5: A representative from Second Chance Habitat will reach out to you to schedule a home visit. This is a very important step in the adoption process. The representative is there to make sure your home environment and lifestyle is a good fit for the pet you are interested in. Our staff want the best for the dogs we adopt as well as the people adopting from us. In some instances, the visit may be virtual (pictures or videos), as determined by the rescue and the adoption candidate.

Step 6: Your home visit report will be reviewed by the rescue. If you are determined to be an approved adopter based on your home visit, an adoption coordinator will contact you to discuss the status of any specific dog/puppy you are interested in adopting. They will assist in coordinating pick up or delivery of the dog. You will be asked to sign a foster or adoption agreement.​

Step 7: As the end of the two-week foster period approaches, an adoption coordinator will reach out to see if you would like to move forward with the adoption. 

• If you chose to adopt, an adoption agreement will be sent and should be signed by you within five calendar days, agreement returned, and adoption fee paid. 

• If you decide the dog is not the right fit for your family, the dog will be posted as available for adoption and we will begin taking and considering new applications for the dog. You may choose to foster while we continue to search for a permanent home, or you may request that we take the dog back into our possession.