International Rescue Program

No one said it would be easy, they only said it would be worth it.

Our rescue started the International Rescue program a couple months after we became official. It has been a long road but this program was built to save more dogs in general regardless of location. We understand how this program can be controversial however we believe there is always a way to make things work. When we first started this program it was because of the cases we were sent that crushed our hearts and made us think hard of what we can do to make a difference. As you may know, in certain areas in the world dogs are treated differently and are often times faced with horrific outcomes of abuse and neglect. We have seen this first hand so when an opportunity came to help out, we just couldn’t say no.

Our International Program was set very specifically so it wouldn’t effect our local rescues or our foster homes. Our organization works with selected few rescuers internationally who we have trusted and screened to ensure the dogs that are part of this program are of good health and temperament. Dogs that are part of this program are kept in foster homes abroad until approved homes are lined up. We set things up this way so that our foster homes locally are left open for our local dogs. This means regardless of the amount of international rescues we have, our intakes for local dogs are not affected.

In regards to funds, all of our international rescue dogs are funded through donations raised by our rescue partners abroad. This means our donations are kept for our local rescue dogs and no additional fees are directed towards our international program through our donations. When a home is lined up for an international rescue dog they pick up directly from the airport for a trial period so no foster homes are taken. Adoption fees for our international rescue dogs goes directly into our medical savings which helps us save more local dogs in need. We have set up this program specifically where both the local and international dogs benefit.

Since starting this program we have noticed many breed specific dogs that are in high demand here in the states but are being killed daily abroad. Breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Afghan Hounds, French Bulldogs, Formosan Mountain dogs, etc. These breeds have a long waiting list of homes here in the states but they are found as strays abroad due to puppy mills, irresponsible owners, and cruelty. We saw an opportunity to connect the dots saving these dogs and bringing them to homes who have been patiently waiting for a specific breed. Our rescue has also teamed up with breed specific rescues for some of these international rescue dogs as well as local rescues who are open to the program.

Homes that decide to adopt international dogs normally have already searched through local shelters or rescue groups for potentials but have not been able to find a suitable fit. We understand that sometimes you just can’t control who you fall in love with. For some families their furry companion may just be a bit further away however if given the opportunity to make a connection with available resource why not take advantage of it? Since starting this program we have seen a lot of happy homes and happy endings. This program allowed us to save more dogs in need and help more families find their companion. In the end a dog is a dog and a life is a life!

For more information on the International Adoption Process please click here

Important

Must be 21 years or older. If not, parent or guardian must provide approval to adoption or foster interest.
If you are renting, your landlord must give the approval to fostering or adopting, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Homes that will have the dog alone for 9+ hours will not qualify unless additional arrangements are made.
All fields in the adoption application must be filled out completely or your application may be denied otherwise.
Half the adoption fee is refundable if trial adoption doesn’t work out. Adoption fee in non-refundable after trial adoption.

Adoption Process

All dogs come up to date on shots, dewormed, microchipped and fixed. Click here for more info on adoption fees. Please contact us if you have additional questions.

Fill out adoption application for the dog of interest.
Allow us a few days to review and get back to you with a basic interview.
Arranging a meet and greet with the dog of interest and yourself.
If all goes well during meet and greet and you would like to move forward we will contact you for a home check. If you are already an “approved home” you will get to take the dog or puppy home if you decide at the meet and greet he/she is a good fit. (Please contact if you would like to become an approved adopter.)
If your home check passes we require our potential homes to do a mandatory 1 week adoption trial to ensure a good fit.

Apply Online

International Adoption Process

Our international rescues come up to date on shots, dewormed, microchipped and fixed. All medical will be provided. International adoption dogs do not require additional cost in flight fee. For more information on the International Program, click here. Potential adopters for international rescues in the bay area pick ups are directly from the airport (SFO). Adopters in Seattle pick ups are at (SEA) and Vancouver adopters pick ups are at (YVR). Please contact us if you have additional questions.

Fill out adoption application for the dog of interest.
Allow us a few days to review and get back to you with a basic interview.
Once you have reviewed the dogs information (videos) and decide to move forward we arrange a home check to get your home “approved” for adoption.
Once you are an “approved adopter” the dog of interest will be marked for your home and no other
applicants will be able to apply. Your home will be priority for this dog therefore commitment
is also needed.
Once a flight has been confirmed we will send you the information on pick up and get you ready
for your new potential companion.
After pick up you will get a 1-2 week adoption trial to ensure a good fit.

Apply Online

Foster Process

Got extra times, love and care? We’re looking for amazing foster homes that will open their heart to a dog in need. We provide everything needed for our foster homes and cover all medical expenses for the foster dog. Please contact if you have any additional questions.

Fill out foster application and allow us a few days to review and get back to you.
After reviewing we’ll contact you with a basic interview via phone.
Arranging home check.
Picking the right fit for your household. (=

Apply Online

Additional Questions

How are the temperaments of the international dogs?

All dogs that are part of our International Program are put through a general temperament test. Our rescue partners provide videos of the dogs in various situations for us and for potential homes to review. The main thing we look for are that the dogs are friendly with both people and other dogs. The videos provided usually shows the dog with other dogs, cats, kids, on leash, and food test.

Are the dogs healthy?

All the International Rescue dogs have to go through a series of health checks in order to be approved for the program. All dogs must be up to date on shots, dewormed, fixed and chipped. Due to being international rescues they also have to clear their full CBC blood panel, PCR parasite testing, Fecal test, HW test in order to fly. For rare cases if the dog who is adopted internationally becomes ill our rescue will cover the medical needed.

Do the dogs know english?

We have our rescue partners work with the dogs with basic english commands however adjustment with language is not difficult for dogs. Sometimes it takes a few tries but they pick things up quickly therefore the adjustment period is not difficult.

Do you sedate the dogs during flight? How do they do during such a long flight?

We do not sedate the dogs during the flight. If the dogs require to be sedated to fly we don’t approve them for the flights. The flight is long however most of the dogs usually just sleep through out the flight. We haven’t had any issues with any of our dogs in the years where the program has been active.

How do the dogs adjust after coming over? Do they have jet lag?

Some dogs adjust instantly while others may take a few days. We only had a few dogs with jet lag but that is usually taken care of after a long walk. Most dogs adjust easily and are happy to just get the one on one attention of a loving home. Most of the adjustments are common adjustments such as with food or potty schedules.

If the adoption doesn’t work out what happens to them?

In rare cases of a return the dog will be put into foster care that signed up specifically for international rescues. Most of the time we have back up families that are able to pick up and trial the dog of interest.

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@lovesecondchances