Rural Animal Rescue Effort - RARE
Our Mission
Rural Animal Rescue Effort (RARE) is a foster-based, 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit Organization with a mission to rescue neglected and abandoned animals in the most rural areas of Tennessee, finding fosters and adopters in more populated/metropolitan areas, and provide spay/neuter assistance for pet owners in the most rural areas of Tennessee to reduce the extreme overpopulation of companion animals.
We are dedicated to increasing education and awareness of the importance of spaying and neutering companion animals in order to reduce overpopulation and finding fosters and adopters for homeless animals, specifically in rural shelters. Our focus is in the rural west and middle regions of Tennessee.
In addition to finding foster care and adopters for the animals in need, we also network with other non-profit organizations when we are at capacity. RARE depends on adoption fees and donations for veterinary care, including but not limited to: vaccines, heart-worm tests, heart-worm preventatives, and spays and neuters.
Adoption Policy
*AN Adoption Interest Form MUST BE SUBMITTED, PLEASE READ BELOW*
Thank you for your interest in adopting a RARE animal! We do our very best to find the right fit for the adoptable and your family. The more detailed information we receive from you in your Interest Form will help in this process. Adoption is a life long commitment to the adoptee. Each time an animal is returned it is stressful on the animal, the family and the rescue. We believe in quality adoptions and we hope you do too. That's why we take the time to understand the wants and needs of your family.
STEP 1. COMPLETE ADOPTION INTEREST FORM VIA OUR WEBSITE:
RARErescue.org
The adoption application allows us to know what you are looking to adopt in terms of the animal and the time and training, etc. you are willing to dedicate. Some animals need more time and resources than others.
STEP 2. SPEAK WITH A RARE REPRESENTATIVE
Once we receive your application, we will call you to you about the specific needs and wants of your family and discuss if the animal you are interested in adopting would be the best fit, or if there are any other 'adoptables' in our program that may be even a better fit.*
STEP 3. HOME VISIT/MEET & GREET
We will set up a day and time that works with your schedule for us to bring the 'adoptable' or 'adoptables' that you are interested in meeting and potentially adopting. This gives us and your family the opportunity to introduce the adoptable to the people and any current animals in your family. Some introductions take only 30 minutes to an hour; others may take up to two hours, depending on how many other animals are currently living in the home. A proper introduction is key to avoiding altercations and provides safety for your family and our volunteers.
STEP 4. 30 DAY TRIAL
At the home visit/meet & greet, if your family and RARE agree that the adoptable would be a good potential fit, a 30 day trial can commence at that time. We will bring the adopable's paperwork, any necessary medication (including heartworm prevention for that month), and a few days of food that can be used to mix in with new food to avoid stomach upset.
** The Adoption Contract with the trial clause must be signed and the adoption fee is collected to start the trial.***Non-refundable incidental fee/donation of $25-$50***
We believe that it is important for you to be comfortable with the decision you are making to bring a pet into your home and that you are matched with the right adoptable. It may take at least a few days, if not a few weeks, for the adoptable to acclimate to their new environment and learn the schedules and routines of your family. If within that 30 day trial period, the adoptable is returned, you have the option of meeting and starting a trial with a different adoptable OR receiving a refund of your adoption. less a nominal fee for gas (normally $25 - $50, depending on location of adopter). If the adoption is a success, then we will consider the adoption final. However, as part of our contract, if for any reason throughout the adoptee's lifetime that you are unable to keep or care for them, they must be returned to RARE. They cannot be sold, given away or taken to a shelter.***
STEP 5. WE LOVE UPDATES!
You are not required, but requested to send us updates and photos from time to time to let us know how the adoptee is doing in their new home. Each and every one of our adoptions are important to us and we want to know that the adoptee and your family are happy and enjoying your lives together!
*Please understand that we are working around the clock, at our regular jobs, caring for the animals in our program, processing adoptions, performing rescue missions to shelters, cruelty cases, hoarding cases, etc. in addition to responding to phone calls, emails and applications.
If you submit an application and you do not receive a call, it could be because that animal is already adopted and the adoption site has not processed our update yet (can take approx. 30 minutes or more), or we may be inundated with our other responsibilities. Please feel free to contact our President at 615-330-4769 to get a status update on your application and the animal you are interested in adopting.
**Food:
We highly recommend Nature's Select (made in America) Dog Food, Puppy Food, and Cat Food available at delivermypetfood.com, which is what we feed our adoptables in foster care. Nature's Select food does not contain corn or wheat and is very reasonably priced, especially compared to any other high quality food. We normally feed the Cold Water recipe which contains minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, and omegas that work together to support a stronger immune and digestive system. The Cold Water recipe is extremely beneficial for sensitive skin and digestion issues.
***Adoption Contract:
If you would like a copy of the adoption contract prior to our scheduled meet & greet, please let us know! We would be happy to send it to you in advance.
