HugABull Advocacy and Rescue Society
Our Mission
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Founded in 2003, HugABull Advocacy & Rescue Society is a community of volunteers committed to rescue, advocacy and outreach for block-headed dogs. We partner with local shelters and rescue organizations to take in dogs who would benefit from our foster program, and ultimately match them with loving, forever homes.
We advocate for ethical rescue, the responsible guardianship of all breeds and for evidence-based, breed-neutral laws. Through our outreach programs, we provide public education, spay and neuter initiatives and general support to communities in an effort to build a brighter future for both dogs and their guardians.
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HugABull is a registered charity and we depend solely on your donations and support. While we are based in the Lower Mainland, we are proud to serve the entire province of BC.
Adoption Policy
We are here for you every step of the way
We pride ourselves on our matchmaking abilities. Since our establishment in 2003, we have helped over 1,500 blockheads find their happily ever after's. We believe in setting up both our dogs and our adopters for success and our Adoption program is a direct reflection of that.
When you adopt through HugABull, you end up with more than just a dog. You become a life-long member of the HugABull community, a supportive network of bully enthusiasts. Regardless of how much time passes, we will always remain a resource for our adopters.
Before you apply to adopt, please read about our Adoption program below.
Step 1: Complete our adoption application
This is a great opportunity for us to get to know you and also helps us determine which dog might be a great match for you. If you are interested in a specific dog on our Adoptables page, please be sure to include the dog's name on your application.
Step 2: Learn about our adoption program through a phone interview
Our Foster and Adoption Coordinator will schedule a mutually convenient time to chat on the phone and go over our adoption program, discuss your application and answer any questions that you may have. This is the perfect time to discuss your needs and lifestyle, and which foster dogs might be a match for you.
Step 3: Home check
Part of our screening process includes a home check. This is a great time to discuss integrating a new dog into your home and how to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Step 4: Arrange a meet and greet
It's finally time to meet the dog in person! Meet and greets take place at the foster's home so that you can see the dog in an environment where they are comfortable. Our Foster and Adoption Coordinator will also be present during this meeting in addition to the dog's foster parent. We encourage you to ask the foster as many questions as you like so that you can get a sense of what the dog is like to live with. You can also take the dog for a walk so that you can see how the dog is on leash. If you have another dog in the home, we ask that you bring them so that we can introduce the dogs by way of a parallel walk to see how everyone gets along.
Step 5: Take your time
After your meet and greet, we ask that you take at least 24 hours to discuss the adoption with your family. Adopting a dog is incredibly exciting, but it's also a lifetime commitment that should be thoroughly thought through.
Step 6: Two-week 'foster-to-adopt' period
We offer all of our adopters a two-week foster-to-adopt period. This provides you with an opportunity to get to know the dog and to make sure that it's a great match before making things official. When you have other animals in your home, it's especially important to ensure that everyone gets along well. Our Foster and Adoption Coordinator will check in with you daily to make sure that everything is going well and to answer any questions that you might have.
Step 7: Making it official!
If the dog is a great fit and the foster-to-adopt period has gone well, the adoption contract is signed and it's official! Our adoption fee is $600 for adult dogs, $700 for puppies, and $350 for seniors aged 9+. All of our dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped, up to date with vaccines, de-wormed, and treated for fleas prior to adoption. While we very rarely 'break even' on a dog financially, our adoption fee helps offset some of the costs that we incur and helps us support more dogs in need. If there are any medical or training needs identified during the foster or foster-to-adopt period, HugABull will provide support and a transition plan for the adoptive family. HugABull is also a resource for the lifetime of the dog, and you can contact us at any point for support.