Fill out an Adoption Application

Special note: Applicants must have a yard and own their own property. No renters.

Rescued from an Amish puppy mill after having several litters of puppies. Spayed upon rescue and placed in foster care. Although not used to living in a house or having much human interaction, adjusted well except with the female dogs. Became aggressive to the foster’s 2 females and several fights ensued.  Fiona came to be very stressed in the multi-dog household (up to 6 dogs at one point) as manifested  by incessant barking, pacing, panting, and visible shakes. Was adopted out to a woman with 3 cats and no dogs. Per the adopter, Fiona was thriving and showed none of the signs of stress previously seen by the foster mom. After 6 months, Fiona was returned to the former foster house – the adopter moved to a rental property that didn’t allow dogs. Upon return to the foster, it wasn’t long before the previous stress behaviors re-surfaced. Thus, Fiona is seeking a home where she can be happy, comfortable, and relaxed.

LIKES: Loves people of all types and ages! Never once aggressive towards humans. Loves attention, cuddling, belly rubs, and giving sloppy kisses. Loves to play with her ball and would play fetch forever if she could.  Also enjoys car rides, chewing bones, playing with toys, and her foster “brother”, a male French Bulldog.

DISLIKES: Female dogs, baths, stairs (will reluctantly walk up stairs but will not walk down stairs and has to be carried by foster), loud and chaotic environments.

PERSONALITY: Sweet, gentle, loving, playful, goofy, bouncy and outgoing. Also able to relax and be a “couch potato.”

TEMPERMENT: Very cooperative for bathing (although it’s obvious she dislikes it), nail trims, vet visits, ear cleaning, tooth brushing etc. Never attempts to bite during procedures and remains quiet and still. Takes medications easily with peanut butter or in food. Does not mind being picked up and held. Very  good with taking treats gently.

ENERGY LEVEL: Lots of energy to run and play, but not hyper. Not constantly high energy - enjoys down time and napping too. 

FAVORITE ACTIVITES: Playing with her ball, splashing around in a shallow plastic baby pool during the summer, car rides, snuggling, eating, and sticking her tongue out (not really an activity, but super cute).

GOOD WITH CATS, DOGS, KIDS (OVER 6): Cats – yes. Dogs – male only. Kids over 6 – excellent!

NOT GOOD WITH: Female dogs!

HOUSETRAINED: Trained to use pee pads indoors (medical issues) and also goes outside.

CRATE TRAINED: Foster has not used a crate very often. Fiona is not destructive when left in the house alone and will use pee pads.

REQUIRES A FENCED YARD: No – would be nice but not a requirement. Fiona is not a candidate for an underground or Invisible Fence.

WALKS WELL ON A LEASH: Had no leash training on arrival to the foster home. Was scared when leashed and would crouch down and refuse to walk. Adopter worked with Fiona on the leash and reported improvement. Will need more work.

MEDICAL ISSUES/CHALLENGES: Due to breeding, Fiona developed a loose urinary sphincter which caused urine dribbling, episodes of incontinence, and frequent urination before diagnosis. Once diagnosed, she was placed on the medication Proin. On the Proin, she’s had very few accidents, she no longer dribbles urine, and she is able to hold her urine until she gets to her pee pads or outside. She sleeps in bed with the foster and has not had an accident even when in the bed for up to 9 - 10 hours. There is the potential that Fiona will have a few accidents until she is familiar with her new home, and she will need to remain on Proin for life.

            Has bilateral cauliflower ears from healed ear hematomas. Her ears no longer stand up as is typical for the breed. The build-up of scar tissue causes thickened, crinkled ears – however, she can’t form hematomas in the future. This condition does not cause her any pain or difficulty and is purely a cosmetic issue.

BEST KIND OF HOME: In the ideal home for Fiona, she would be the only dog or share the home with only 1 other friendly, easy going male dog. A calm, quiet household would suit her well, and she would love a human sibling over 6 years old to dote on her. With individual attention and lots of love, she will be an excellent pet! After all, even with all the chaos, change, and instability she’s endured, she remains an incredibly sweet, loving, and trusting little dog. She deserves a “forever home” that will actually be forever this time around.

Application Fees, Adoption Donations and Rescue Policy: Please know that 100% of our funds are used for rescuing the dogs.

Our rescue policy requires the following:

• Adopters must have their primary residence in one of the following states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and parts of North Carolina and parts of New York.
• We will not adopt a giant breed dog to homes where the dog will have access to highly varnished hardwood steps inside the home. Any inside steps to which the dog(s) have access, must have carpeting, securely fixed stair treads, or a non-skid surface. We encourage you to remediate potential safety issues while your application is under review, prior to the home visit.
• Methods or devices using pain or force on the dog to control the dog, or to deter undesirable behavior is prohibited.
• Applications for giant breed dogs must be submitted by the property owner.
• Homes with children under 6 years of age will not be approved for adoption.
• Homes with children should have a fenced yard.
• Pets currently in the applicant's home must have a history of appropriate veterinary care. Veterinary records will be checked.
• All references must be checked before any visitation of the dog is permitted at the foster home.
• All family members must be present during the home visit to the applicant's home.
• Any dog(s) in the applicant's home must have an introductory meeting with the rescue dog being considered, before any adoption can be completed.
• Homes with intact dogs will not be approved for adoption. Exceptions to this policy can be found on the Adoptable Dog Page.

For additional information please review our FAQs or contact mastiffstomutts@gmail.com

Mastiffs To Mutts Rescue reserves the right to approve or deny any adoption that occurs through this organization without disclosure.  We reserve the right to make exceptions for special circumstances.

Application Fees, Adoption Donations and Rescue Policy:

Please know that 100% of our fees and donations pay for the costs of rescuing dogs. These include but are not limited to pull fees from shelters, veterinary examinations, vaccinations, medications and care, microchips, neuter/spay surgeries, heartworm treatments, behavior evaluations, and foster care, as needed.

Important notes before applying.

• Approved adopters must have their primary residence in one of the following states: Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and parts of North Carolina and Kentucky.

• You must be at least 21 years of age to apply and legally sign our contract for adoption.

• Applications must be completed by the homeowner. 

• We do not adopt giant breed dogs to renters.

  • If you are renting, and you are applying to adopt a dog that is not a giant breed, permission to adopt an animal must be obtained from the landlord or property owner.

• We do not adopt giant breed dogs to homes with children under 6 years of age.

  • Homes with children should have a fenced yard.

• Applications will be denied if anyone residing in the household has a record indicating drug/alcohol abuse, theft, or violence.

• Pets currently in the applicant's home must have a history of appropriate veterinary care.
• Homes with intact dogs will not be approved for adoption.  Proof of any of the following exceptions is required:
  1. The intact dog is a working member of a law enforcement, or search and rescue/recovery team.
  2. The intact dog is registered under the auspices of the American Kennel Club and is actively being shown.
  3. A veterinarian has determined the sterilization procedure would harm the intact dog. 

• We believe in Force Free Training Methods and do not approve of methods or devices using pain or force to control the dog, or to deter undesirable behavior. 

• Homes with highly varnished steps must have carpeting, securely fixed stair treads, or a non-skid surface. **We encourage you to remediate potential safety issues while your application is under review, prior to the home visit.
  • ​Any inside steps to which the dog(s) have access, must have carpeting, securely fixed stair treads, or a non-skid surface.

  • Homes with highly varnished floors must have non-slip area rugs or mats wherever your animal walks or rests frequently. 

**Puppy Adoption Policy**

To ensure proper house training and socialization, puppies will only be adopted to homes where an adult will not be away more than an hour per day, per month of age of the puppy, up to 6 months.
Certain large-breed dogs should not be sterilized prior to 12 - 18 months of age.  If you adopt an intact puppy, you will sign an adoption contract agreeing to have the dog sterilized at your expense at the time your veterinarian recommends.
Proof of sterilization must be provided to Mastiffs To Mutts Rescue as soon as the procedure is completed.  If the puppy is not sterilized as required, Mastiffs To Mutts Rescue reserves the right to claim legal ownership of the dog. 

For additional information please review our FAQs or contact mastiffstomutts@gmail.com

**Mastiffs To Mutts Rescue reserves the right to approve or deny any adoption that occurs through this organization without disclosure.  We reserve the right to make exceptions for special circumstances.

**PA Kennel License: 05845

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