Please click here for our Foster-To-Adopt Agreement; click here for our Adoption Agreement.
Better Days Rescue is the owner of the dog until adoption is finalized.
Please administer medications, if provided, in accordance with the accompanying instructions. If meds are prescribed for a protracted period, please let us know at least five business days in advance of the date the meds will run out.
If a medical concern of any type arises during the foster-to-adopt period, or if you have any questions, please immediately call this number.
Other than a life-threatening emergency, all Foster AND Foster-To-Adopt dogs MUST receive approval from a BDR representative for vet visits/procedures/diagnostics. Unless otherwise directed, BDR dogs must be taken for treatment to a BDR-contracted veterinarian. Please reach out to your BDR representative for scheduling assistance. BDR dogs often begin their re-homing journey with a specific veterinarian for a reason, and may need to continue care with that provider. Please ask your BDR representative or call this number for clarification.
Important Guidelines
- Whenever the dog is not crated, it must wear a collar with all identification tags securely attached. The collar we provide will have a BDR ID tag, a microchip tag, and a license tag issued by the local jurisdiction; please add a tag with your contact information. The dog must never be left or tied outdoors, and must not be allowed off-leash in an unfenced area.
- A dog needs time to settle, adjust, and bond to you. No visitors (human or canine) and no field trips with the dog for the first day or two. (Longer with shy dogs and dogs that are prone to escape/flight etc. We encourage many additional precautions for dogs with fear issues.) Please no camping or road trips for several weeks - consult with your BDR point of contact. New dogs have confusion with where/how to get outdoors and may even be reluctant to finish their portion of food. Patience and love work wonders; if questions, please call this number.
- No dog parks!
- Out-of-state trips with pre-approval only until adoption is final.
- Please socialize the dog with other caring and responsible persons, and with other socialized, immunized, non-aggressive dogs.
- Please never crate the dog for longer than six consecutive hours in a 24-hour period. Begin with very short periods of crating and proceed incrementally for mental and physical health. (See TRAINING: Crate Training a Rescue Dog PDF below for tips.)
- Upon adoption, we add your contact information to the dog's microchip and register you as the dog’s owner with Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. Upon request, we forward a copy of all medical records to your specified veterinarian.
You’ll need the following items to welcome your dog!
- High Quality Crate + Carabiner Clips We can help you choose crate size, and show you how to correctly secure with carabiners. If your dog no longer needs a crate, please fold/store it in an easy-access location in case of emergency. Kong Crates are manufactured by Midwest; "Retriever" brand crates are available at Tractor Supply and come in 42" and 36" size (they’re also a bit taller and more comfortable for big tails and ears, and have two doors - one on the end, and one on the side). Carabiner clips are sold online, at Ace Hardware, and at outdoor supply stores.
- Stainless steel water bucket (flat-sided) Use a carabiner clip to attach the bucket bail to stabilize the bucket and avoid spills.
- Stainless no-tip water bowl XL A basic stainless no-tip bowl for outdoors is a good idea. A raised bowl (that raises food and water to chest-height of the dog) is a kindness to older dogs. Please check with your vet for risks of bloat with deep-chested breeds.
- Stainless no-tip no-slip food bowl If the dog gulps food, the dog may need a slow-down bowl.
- Food We'll provide a small quantity of food. See below for nutritional information.
- Treats Freeze-died, single-ingredient foods make great training treats!
- Leash Invest in a quality 6' leash - no retractable leashes! We carefully select martingale collars and well-fitting harnesses (plastic clasps, not metal). Do not be in a rush to replace these to "customize" your dog as they are chosen with security in mind. We also use 'seatbelts' - one style clips onto the dog's harness and clicks into the vehicle's seatbelt buckle. Dog seatbelts are readily available on Amazon.com
- Harness PetSafe "EasyWalk" and ComfortFlex Sport Harness are great.
- Kong Be sure to get the XL black version for “aggressive chewers” and supervise first uses of the kong to be sure the dog’s enthusiasm doesn’t risk their tongue becoming stuck in the toy!
- 100% Natural Peanut Better No added sugars or sweeteners. Freeze inside the Kong for a long-lasting treat while crated.
- Chew toys For supervised dogs: Tuffy Toys, cotton rope toys, raw frozen marrow bones (discard within recommended time period).
- Pumpkin Plain, canned natural/organic pure pumpkin (not pie filling) firms loose stool and eases constipation.
FOOD
Please, no wheat, corn, or soy! In general, beware of GMO ingredients and foreign countries of origin.
Be vigilant. Read Dog Food Advisor (choose from five- or four-star rated foods) and Truth About Pet Food for news on updated formulas and quality issues. Limit fish products unless you’re certain they are properly sourced and do not contain high levels of dangerous metals.
Virtual Adoption Packet!
SAFETY
Please print the six safety PDF’s single-sided and post inside your kitchen cabinet doors to read while you enjoy a cup of coffee. When you need it, there’s no time to read it!
NUTRITION
TRAINING
Watch helpful videos by Holistic Dog Trainer, Roman Gottfried and join his Facebook Group.
OUTDOORS
PREPAREDNESS
We’ll be glad to maintain a copy of your dog's current health records in the event they’re needed while you’re on travel or if your veterinarian is unavailable.
PUPPY-SPECIFIC RESOURCES!
Please let us know what other resources you’d like to see here!
