Animal House & Co took in 11 x-Puppy Mill Dogs in January.
Although there is an adoption fee for each dog, the fee will never cover the total cost involved. Please consider making a donation .... and thank you.
Rosemary Shih Tzu
Ozzy Osbourne Lhasa
Dill Shih Tzu
Lavender - Pending -
Parsley - ADOPTED -
Whoopi Poodle
Cayenne - Pending -
Sassafras - ADOPTED -
'Oscar' Wilde - ADOPTED -
Basil Schnauzer
Paprika - ADOPTED -
WHO WE ARE - ANIMAL HOUSE & CO IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF RESCUE
Rescue is not our hobby. It's what we do. We have made a full-time commitment to rescue and specifically, to the canine species. Making our passion a full-time, life-long commitment is how much we believe in what we do.
We like the problem children! Although we will gladly accept ‘ready-made’ dogs, we welcome the dogs with character, as we like to put it. Our dogs can be bounce backs (returns), abused or neglected, and the misunderstood … essentially dogs with issues. We have found that these dogs will make perfectly good (& safe) companions ... someone just needs to understand them. That’s where we come in. When we agree to take a dog, we evaluate, rehabilitate, and look for the right fit … the right new home … the perfect match. By the time a dog leaves us, we know it inside and out. We oft’ times will put the dog’s picture out to the general public to create enthusiasm & to allow the dog a channel to potential adopters. When we feel the dog is responding to our influence, we will start to describe our findings. We will do our best to describe the dog and its future needs. This may change as we get to know our guest but for the most part we are tweaking characteristics.
The Animal House also provides a service to the public. In other words, we also work for our money instead of relying totally on donations. We look at this as a win-win. Our ‘terrific’ customers become intimate with our homeless and spread the word. The homeless feel the positive energy & see how ‘normal’ dogs behave. It is all good and everyone is a winner!
Thank you for thinking adoption.
Please feel free to visit our website, www.AnimalHouseCo.com, and learn what we are all about.
Because the Animal House deals with a lot of ‘problem’ dogs, we need to eliminate poor diet as a factor in behavior problems. Consequently, a dog is immediately started on a no grain, human grade dog kibble. This kibble is supplemented with vitamins, minerals, digestive aids, probiotics, and herbs, as well as fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. There is a standard regime that all dogs are started on and later this standard is changed or tweaked by what we observe.
The first week or two after a dog enters the Animal House, the dog is ‘allowed to be a dog’ getting lots of fresh air and exercise. It is observed during this period and behavior modification techniques are implemented. Issues are constantly being discussed and methods changed or tweaked. Some dogs respond quickly, others take months. Most dogs just need structure and to be reminded of their manners. If this part of their education is missing, we will provide “Basic Manners 101”. Most dogs receive two naps per day in their kennel - quiet time, if you will – where they listen to soothing music and are free to take a nap, chew on a (peanut butter or cheese) bone or play with various other toys.
How long or how often a dog is inside or outside depends on the dog and our judgment. Some dogs enjoy the freedom and play time and others would like to hang out on the window sill watching the cars go by. We are all constantly discussing, evaluating, and adjusting schedules for the better of the dog. We work very hard to make our dogs happy and to do what is best to assist them in getting on with their life. And all of this is done with only positive reinforcement. By the time a dog is ready for their new home, we will know them inside and out which will assist us in finding a perfect new home.
When we receive an application on a dog, we will call and speak with you. This is when we will explain to you the particulars of the dog you are interested in and discuss whether this choice is right for both you and the dog.
We prefer that families interested in one of our dogs fill out an application first (below). This saves everyone a step and gives us a starting point. It will only take a few minutes. If our adoption coordinators have any questions (concerning your answers), they will ask them during the initial phone call.
After we receive your completed application, an adoption coordinator will call and speak with you, hopefully within a few days. During this initial conversation, the coordinator will answer any questions, address any concerns, and try to determine whether your home would be a good match. The next step would be to process your application. Once your application has been approved, you (& your family) will be invited to 'interview' with the dog(s) of your choice. At this meeting, if it appears as if you & the dog are a good match - and after completing the necessary paperwork - you will be invited to take the dog for a 'home visit'. This visit is for the purpose of discovering whether your home and the dog actually are a good match. Once you are sure the dog will fit into your family, just give us the word and the adoption will be final. Normally the paperwork and the adoption fee is completed at 'interview' step. All that's left is for you to enjoy your new addition.
Each dog has an adoption fee which includes:
HEALTH: All dogs will be altered (spay/neuter), and have received basic vaccines (Rabies, DHPP3, and Bordatella). They will have received a veterinarian administered physical, a Heartworm/tick test (if applicable) and a fecal test. All dogs will have been on flea & heartworm prevention (if, applicable). Some will be microchipped. This information is noted in each dog’s description.
BEHAVIOR: All dogs will receive a behavior assessment and will be started on manners & basic training. You will be made aware of the dog's assessment & progress during the initial phone conversation, when our Adoption Co-ordinator calls. When you adopt a dog from the Animal House, you will have access to a behaviorist for the life of the dog.
CRATE TRAINING: All of our dogs, unless otherwise stated, are crate trained. It is our opinion that even if a dog is 'potty trained' at our house, it does not make it 'potty trained' at yours. We encourage every adopter to treat a new dog like 'potty training' a puppy. Crate training gives both the dog & the new family a head start on this training.
GETTING YOU STARTED: To assist with a pleasant transition into the new home, all dogs will come with a collar and leash and will receive enough food for at least one week to help with the change-over to your food.
Over the years, we have found a procedure that works for us. Please do not be offended if we ask you to fill out an application before we answer any questions about a dog. Besides letting us know that you are serious about adoption (by completing an application), keep in mind that when you ask, "What can you tell me about Fido?", we could literally write a book. Our method is the best way we have found to accomplish the most in the shortest period of time. Thank you for your patience and understanding .... and thank you for thinking adoption.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
The Animal House will never adopt out a dog to the public that we feel is unsafe.
Applications are not on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. We will attempt to pick the best match.
All dogs have an adoption fee. Our adoption fee is based on the age of the dog, how much money is invested in the dog, and/or if the dog is 'special needs'.
We do not claim that any of our dogs are house broken. It is our opinion that even if a dog is 'potty trained' at our house, it does not make it so at yours. We encourage every adopter to treat a new dog like a puppy. We believe that the success of potty training depends on your commitment to the process.
Animal House behaviorists will be at your disposal for the lifetime of the dog. Please do not hesitate to communicate with us before an issue becomes a problem. We want to see you & your furry friend succeed.
Please provide more than one word answers. Try to help us understand why you (and your family) want this 'rescue' dog and help us to meet your family via words. These dogs have been through an ordeal just in the process of rehoming. Many have been abused. You must forgive us if we appear to be protective. We are doing the best we can with the information you provide on your application. Remember, we may have several applications on a particular dog. Why should we pick your application over the next? Help us to understand.
Name:
Address (Street, City, Zip):
Phone number(s):
Email Address(s):
Dog applying for:
Have you ever adopted from us before?
Have your ever filled out an application with us?
Who shares your household? (Live alone, Spouse, Significant Other, Roommate, Children, Other)
If there are children in the household, what are their ages?
Is everyone in the household in agreement about the dog?
Do you live in a: (House, Townhouse, Condo, Mobile Home, Apartment, Other)
Do you rent?
If you rent, do you have your landlord’s approval?
Landlord info (name & phone #):
Is anyone in your household allergic to dogs?
Slight allergy to some?
What type of dog are you looking for?
(Primarily a house dog, Primarily an outside dog)
(Shedding, Non-shedding)
(Long haired, Short haired)
(Low maintenance coat, High maintenance coat)
(Small, Medium, Large)
What adjectives would you use to describe the dog you are looking for?
Where would the dog sleep at night?
Do you plan to crate your dog?
If yes, when?
How many hours will the dog be left alone on a normal weekday?
When you are home, will the dog have access: (Full run of the house, Partial run of the house, Mostly outside)
Do you have a yard?
Is your yard fenced? (Animal House does not require a yard or a fence.)
Do you have a pool?
If yes, fenced off from the rest of the yard?
Tell us about your plan to exercise your dog.
Do you currently have any dogs?
If yes, what kind(s)? (Please include size, age, gender)
On a scale of 1 to 10, what do you consider you and your family's experience with dogs to be?
(1 - never had a dog before TO 10 - expert, can handle any issue)
Please feel free to elaborate.
Why [do you think] your family is the best match for this dog? (i.e. Why did you choose this dog?)
Have you had any dogs (in the past) not currently living with you?
If yes, what happened to the dog(s)?
Do you have any other pets (besides dogs)?
If yes, what are they?
Are all of your animals spayed/neutered?
If not, why not?
If you have other pets, how will you introduce them?
What type of dog food do you feed or have you fed in the past?
Where will your pet stay when you go on vacation?
Under what circumstances would you give up a dog? (Moving, New baby, Divorce, Behavior problems: barking, digging, housetraining, aggression, Large vet bills)
What is the name and address of your vet (if applicable)?
May we contact them for a reference?
Have you ever been cited for animal cruelty?
If yes, please explain.
Have you or anyone in your household ever been convicted of battery or assault?
Please provide 3 references and note your relationship to that person. Be sure to notify the persons listed that we may be calling.
1.
2.
3.
All answers to the best of my knowledge are accurate and true. Name of person submitting application:
Please send your application to animalhouseco@comcast.net or fax it to 717-737-7057. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM CALLING THE ANIMAL HOUSE. We also operate a business and cannot be distracted from our duties. Once we receive your completed application, we will call and speak with you (hopefully within a few days). Thank you for your patience and understanding.
