Adopt — Adoption Process

1. Determine what kind of pet is best for you. What kind of temperament are you looking for in a pet (active, laid-back, affectionate, etc.)? Do you have a lot of time for a puppy or are you looking for an adult dog who can blend into your routine?  Do you have the resources to help a Special Needs orphaned pet?  Do you live somewhere that has pet size restrictions? Do you have a fence or access to a fenced play area for your new pet? Do you have time every day to provide the necessary exercise and companionship for your pet? Are there children in your home with whom the new pet will need to be social? Do you have other pets — or wish to have multiple pets anytime in the future? 

2. Meet Our Adoptable Pets. Browse our Adoptable Pets or attend an adoption outing to meet some of our adoptable orphans. Events are listed on our home page.  

3. Complete an Adoption Application. Once you find a dog (or several dogs) that you’d like to meet, you must submit an adoption application to BARK. We use the information on your application to find out about you and find the BARK dogs that would be the best match for your lifestyle, environment, and expectations. Your application will be reviewed by members of BARK. A home visit may be required in order to reach a decision on your application. Submitting an Application does not guarantee or commit you to adopting a BARK dog. You may submit an application via email or complete one at any of the Adoption Events listed on our Home Page. Please do not mail applications to BARK as there may be a delay in your application being forwarded to our Adoption Team. 

If you have questions about a particular dog, or have any difficulty completing the online application, you may email info@barkva.org. You may also call 804-449-BARK ext. 1 and leave a message for assistance.

4. Meeting a BARK Dog. Once an application is approved, you will be contacted by a BARK volunteer to arrange a time to meet the dog(s) of your choice. (If you have another pet, you may want to bring him/her with you when you meet your potential BARK pet). If it’s love at first site when you meet our BARK dog, all that’s left is finalizing the adoption by signing our BARK Adoption Contract and paying the $125* adoption fee (cash or check only). You will be able to go home with your new BARK dog and his/her medical records. Your contract includes a clause stating that “if at any time you cannot keep your pet, you must return him/her to BARK and not to any other individual or shelter.”

Please note: Once an adoption has been completed, BARK reserves the right to:

• Check on the pet at any time to ensure its well-being.
• Remove the pet from the home if any conditions of the adoption contract have been violated or, if BARK deems the environment unsafe.

*As of January 2007, BARK’s adoption fee is $125. All proceeds from Adoption fees are applied toward the care, feeding, & medical needs of orphaned dogs at BARK.

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