Fill out an Adoption Application

AKC Breed note: The Boerboel is a protective, territorial breed; not a breed for a novice dog owner. Training and socialization should begin early, before a pup becomes a dominant adult. Steadfast, calm, highly intelligent, and incredibly loyal, Boerboels must be with their people and will not thrive unless kept as an integral part of their human family. Their inborn guarding instincts make early socialization a must, as is structured, long-term obedience training, started at a young age.

Cooper arrived in rescue about 3 months of age. His lack of early proper socialization may emerge as inappropriate reactions to new experiences. His adopters must be willing to commit their time and resources to long-term non-aversive, positive reinforcement socialization and obedience training.

Cooper loves playing with other dogs and chewing. He is a goofy, laid-back puppy, who likes being around his people.

Likes: Antlers to chew on.

Dislikes:  None yet!

Personality:  Pretty chill for a puppy.

Temperament:  Cooper is cautious around new people but warms up quickly. 

Energy level:  Cooper likes to play but he also likes to hang out on the recliner. 

Favorite activities:  Cooper likes to play tug and chew on antlers.

Good with cats, dogs, and kids (over 6):  Cooper has not been exposed to cats but does well around dogs and humans.

Not good with:  He is a puppy.  He has a lot to learn but he is smart and will learn quickly.

Housetrained:  Cooper knows to go outside but sometimes has an accident in the house. 

Crate trained:  Also working on this.  He does sleep in the crate and spends some time in the crate when no one is home to watch him.

Requires a fenced yard (physical fence and/or invisible fence)?  He could be trained to stay in a yard.  He sticks close to his humans.

Walks well on a leash?  No, but he’s a puppy and just needs to be trained.

Challenges:  Cooper is a puppy.  He will need training but he is smart and loveable.

Any medical issues:  His anal glands had to be expressed at the vet and should be checked regularly.

What would be the best kind of home?  Cooper would do well with an older dog that could guide him.  He is timid in new situations but follows an older dog’s lead.  He is smart and needs someone patient to train him.  He is starting to answer to Cooper and listens even when playing.

Cooper is being fostered in Shippensburg, PA.

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.

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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