How Do I Adopt a Dog from Rocky Mountain Border Collie Rescue?

Please read this entire page before completing an adoption application!

Note: If you are actively seeking to adopt a new family member, please submit an application. If you are not 100% committed to adopting at this time, please do not submit an application. We are an all-volunteer organization with limited resources; you must be prepared to wait at least 3 weeks while we complete reference checks, a home visit, and submit the information to our Adoption Committee for review and consideration.

If you snail-mail your application, the process may take longer, as we have to add a step to scan the printed application into our database first. To proceed more quickly, you can email your application with a typed signature in the signature line. We don't need a hand-signed application.

• The first step in the adoption process is researching the breed. See our BC Links page and other resources on the Internet. If you are now or have been an experienced Border Collie guardian, you may want to read valuable information about rescued dogs.
  
  
• Next, fill out the adoption application. You must answer every question on the application or your application will not be considered. The information you provide on your application will help us learn about your lifestyle and family, including current pets, and your plans for welcoming a new pet into your home. In review, we can make recommendations for the most appropriate Border Collie/s available in our program.
  
  
• After your application is submitted, it is quickly reviewed, after which it is assigned to a volunteer who will contact your references. Once your references are qualified, a home visit will be scheduled. A home visit is a valuable opportunity for us to meet you and your family members, including your current pets, and to gather more information that will be helpful in recommending the right new addition to your home.
  
  
• After the home visit report is filed, our Adoption Committee considers your application. If your home is approved for adoption, you will be invited to meet the dogs you are interested in that are a match for your lifestyle. Compatibility is very important; therefore, several meetings may be scheduled (at locations to be determined) with available BC's, until a suitable fit is determined by adopter/s, fosters and rescue representative/s.
  
  
• After choosing a new family member, you will sign an adoption contract and pay an adoption fee. This adoption fee covers expenses incurred in rescuing, rehabilitating and nurturing our rescue dogs. Each is fully vetted: examined, given necessary vaccinations, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and brought to health prior to adoption. Our contract is a binding legal document, enforceable by law.
  
  
• Every dog we place will go to the best suitable home. We do not work on a first-come, first-served basis. We evaluate every application and do what is best for each particular dog.
  
  
• If a dog is returned to us for any reason outside of 30 days, the adoption fee is considered a donation to rescue and will not be refunded. Please make your selection very carefully. Remember, owning a dog can be a 15-year commitment. Make sure that you and everyone in your family are willing to make such a commitment.
  
  
• When you adopt from us, you adopt us. We reserve the right to visit, call, or e-mail you concerning the well being of your new Border Collie. We want to ensure any dogs placed by us are given the same level of care that our rescue has given them.

Note: Puppies too young to be spayed/neutered will require a spay/neuter deposit of $200, reimbursed on proof of alteration at 6 months of age, plus a $50 adoption deposit, applicable to the $200 fee at the time of adoption ($50 deposit + $150 due at adoption). We reserve the right to reclaim the dog if it does not get spayed/neutered at the specified time

Please feel free to contact us at any time with your questions and concerns. We consider you family.

Click here for information on reaching our rescue directory.

Click here for adoption and foster applications.