WELCOME TO MARS! We look forward to saving the lives of, as well as finding new homes for many wonderful animals who would otherwise, not have the slightest chance. Please join us in our mission to give companion animals a fresh start by choosing to adopt!
Who We Are
Midwest Animal Rescue Services (MARS) is a small but dedicated group of volunteers that rescues dogs and cats who are at risk and homeless through no fault of their own. The MARS organization was formed to reach out and help with "emergency" type situations as well as puppy mill rescues. Once in our care, these companion animals are fully vaccinated and spayed or neutered. We also provide for those animals who need additional time and medical care before going to a new home. MARS is not committed to one breed, size, sex, color or age but rather, is devoted to helping all dogs and cats in need whenever possible. MARS does not have a shelter or a facility. We do not have "hours of operation" (as we are a foster based rescue group), nor do we recieve any state or federal funding.
*** FOSTER HOMES NEEDED***
A foster home is a temporary safe haven for a rescued dog. It is the most crucial yet scarce ingredient in animal rescue. The more available foster homes, the more pets we are able to rescue. For the dogs in animal control facilities, a shortage of space means death.
The responsibility of the foster is to provide a safe, secure, stable environment and, most important, the love needed to nurture the dog back to his/her happy, healthy self. Some dogs may require special care, such as post medical attention, increasing weight or strength, socializing, building trust, exercise, and fun. Some pets just require you. Through fostering, these animals come to understand that the safest place in the world is in the arms of their caretakers. As little as a week spent in your home will often give the dog the confidence it needs to find its permanent home.
MARS handles all of the logistics of placing these pets. We provide all of the medical treatment while the pet is in your care, but, as always, we are grateful for any help we might receive from the foster parent. As a foster, you can help us update your foster's Web site bio with information regarding it's housebroken status, it's energy level, its temperament, and its ability to get along with kids, dogs, and/or cats. The more we know about the rescued puppy through the observation of the foster parent, the better the chance of a successful forever home. If during the course of your fostering you happen to fall in love with your puppy and you choose to adopt, your application will take precedence over any other.
It takes a very special person to open his or her heart to one of these babies, to love and nurture them for a period of time and then give them up when their new permanent home is found. By taking ONE needy rescued dog into your home, you are making the difference between life and death. Your commitment creates a space for us to take another dog into our rescue and save another life.
CAN'T FOSTER BUT WANT TO HELP?
DONATIONS ALWAYS NEEDED AND SO APPRECIATED!
Adopting a friend
Please understand that it is important for us to know that prospective owners feel a real bond and commitment to the animal being considered, but it is also important that the animal fit your lifestyle. Our goal is to have the best quality of life for the humans and animals in his or her new family and for us to match each dog or cat with a home where an ideal bond will occur.
The first part of the adoption process is submitting an APPLICATION FOR ADOPTION. An adoption coordinator will review it and decide if it is an appropriate application for the dog/cat you are interested in. The application gives us an idea of your living situation, your lifestyle, and what you are really looking for in a companion. As everyone knows, the requirements and expectations for dogs and cats all vary and like humans, each one has it's own character and personality. With regards to dogs, some are mellow and just need a place where they can be a companion to people and relax and live out their lives. Others are extremely active and need to lead a very active lifestyle. But they all need to be in homes where they are understood and loved unconditionally.
After reviewing the adoption application, an adoption coordinator will call for a phone interview to chat further about the dog and you.
Upon completion of the phone interview we look at references to make sure that you are in fact who you represent yourself to be as both a person and canine/feline guardian.
The next step is to explore your literal living situation. Once again, regarding dogs, all have different requirements, an example being some dogs really need to go to homes where a fenced in yard is available, whereas others are fine without a fenced yard. We also need to make sure that you are the owner of the home that you reside, and if you are not, then we need to get consent from your landlord that the dog you are looking to adopt will be allowed in your home.
Finally, you will get to meet the dog you are considering and we all get to see if it is the match we hope it will be! At that point, if it is true love, then you may welcome your fantastic new companion to your home for the beginning of what we are certain will be a great relationship.
We require that you sign our adoption agreement and pay the adoption fee for the dog. All dogs adopted from us are fully vetted (vaccinated, HW tested, dewormed, and spayed/neutered, as appropriate for the age of each dog). All cats are fully vetted and spayed/neutered as well.
Some may feel this is a long process, but it is important to understand that we need to know that these dogs will never end up unwanted again. But, most applicants begin to feel a sense of excitement and anticipation about bringing a new Fur Baby home and that ends up making it a more a worthwhile and rewarding experience.
