Foster

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Adoption Process

Your Journey to a Forever Friend

From first application to homecoming — everything you need to know about adopting a rescue dog from Love’s Legacy. We don’t have a physical shelter; every dog in our care lives with a loving foster family. Here’s how you can make that love permanent.

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How it works ↓

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Six Steps to Adoption

1. Find Your Match

Browse our available dogs — each profile includes photos, personality details, and compatibility notes from their foster family.
2. Submit an Application

Complete our online adoption application through ShelterLuv. You'll also send photos of your home and outdoor space to our team.
3. Application Review

Our team personally reviews every application within 3–7 business days. We may reach out for additional details.
4. Video Interview

A virtual home walkthrough lets us connect face-to-face, see your space, and answer all your questions about the process.
5. Meet Your Dog

Once approved, we'll coordinate a meet-and-greet with your prospective dog — at a neutral location or with the foster family.
6. Welcome Home!

Sign the adoption agreement, complete the adoption fee, receive medical records, and bring your new family member home.

Start your application →

Before You Apply

What You'll Need

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✓ Eligibility

• Be at least 21 years of age

• Provide valid government-issued ID and proof of residency
• Have written landlord approval if you rent your home
• Demonstrate a safe, stable, and loving environment
• Be located in the US or Canada
✓ Application Details

Our application is thorough by design — a good match protects both the dog and your family. You'll share information about your living situation, household members, daily schedule, dog experience, and what kind of dog you're hoping to adopt.
✓ Home Photos

Along with your application, email photos of your home and outdoor space to adoptions@loveslegacyrescue.com. These give us an early look at yard size, fencing, indoor space, and any potential hazards.

Start your application →

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The Video Interview

The video call isn't a formality — it's one of the most important steps. It lets our team connect with you face-to-face and see the home your future dog would be coming into.

✓ What we'll cover:

A walkthrough of your indoor living space — where the dog would sleep, eat, and spend time
A view of your outdoor area — yard, balcony, or nearby walking routes
Your daily routine, dog experience, and adoption goals
Introduction to any other pets or family members
Your questions for us — this is a two-way conversation

✓ What we're looking for:

A safe, welcoming environment — not a perfect one. Secure fencing, appropriate space for the dog's size and energy, and evidence that the commitment is genuine. We're not looking for a showroom. We're looking for a home where a dog will be loved and safe.

Start your application →

Adoption Costs

The Real Cost to Rescue a Dog

Adoption fees rarely cover the full cost of rescue. Donations help cover our costs.

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Ongoing Rescue Expenses

Rescue Insurance

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Website Hosting & Maintenance

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Animal Database Software

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Dog Supplies & Daily Care

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Adoption FAQs

Everything you need to know — from first application to forever home.

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Application & Eligibility

We are an entirely foster-based rescue — we don't have a physical location. Our operations are based in northern California, with volunteers across California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, and beyond. The majority of our dogs are based in northern California. The first step is to apply for a dog, which lets us get to know you before we coordinate a meeting. We do this because it's a lot of work for fosters to meet potential adopters, and we want to make sure everyone is on the same page before scheduling a meet-and-greet.
Complete our online Adoption Application through ShelterLuv. You'll also need to send photos of your home and outdoor space to adoptions@loveslegacyrescue.com. These photos give us an early look at the environment your future dog would be coming into — yard size, fencing, indoor space, and any potential hazards.
Our application is thorough by design — a good match protects both the dog and your family. You can expect to share:
- Your living situation (house, apartment, rental, owned)
- Landlord approval documentation if you rent
- Details about your household — adults, children, other pets
- Your daily schedule and activity level
- Your experience with dogs and any previous pets
- What kind of dog you're hoping to adopt (size, energy, breed)
- Your preferred timeline and lifestyle considerations
- Valid government-issued ID and proof of residency
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Provide proof of identification and current residency
- Have written landlord approval if you rent your home
- Demonstrate the ability to provide a safe, stable, and loving environment
- Be located in the US or Canada
We review every application carefully and personally — this isn't an automated system. Reviews typically take 3–7 business days. If we need additional information, a team member will reach out directly. Because our fosters have busy lives, we cannot schedule meet-and-greets until your application has been fully approved.

Finding the Right Match

Matching is one of the most important things we do. We look at your application holistically — your lifestyle, energy level, home size, experience, household members, and the specific dog you're interested in. Our foster families provide detailed behavioral profiles on each dog, which helps us understand how they interact with kids, cats, other dogs, and different environments. A high-energy cattle dog mix and a calm senior retriever require very different homes — we take the time to get it right.
Yes — you can indicate interest in a specific dog on your application. However, we may also suggest other dogs in our care if we feel they'd be a better fit based on your profile. We always prioritize the right match over a quick placement, and we ask that you stay open to our recommendations.
Having other pets doesn't disqualify you — but it does shape which dogs we'd consider. Each dog in our care has a known compatibility profile with other dogs and cats. We'll share that information and work to find a dog whose temperament suits your existing pet family. We may ask for photos or a brief video of your current pets as part of the review.

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After the Adoption

Your adoption fee directly supports the cost of rescuing your dog — including spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, microchipping, heartworm testing and treatment if needed, flea and tick prevention, and any other medical care provided during their time in foster. It also helps fund operational costs like insurance, website, adoption software, donation platform, and complex medical care that occasionally occurs.
You'll receive your dog's complete medical records, including vaccination history, spay/neuter documentation, microchip registration information, and any treatment records from foster care. We'll also connect you with our Training Guideto help you set your dog up for success from day one.
We don't disappear after the paperwork is signed. Our team is available to answer questions, troubleshoot behavioral challenges, and support your transition. We also encourage adopters to share updates and photos — our Happy Tails page exists to celebrate every dog that finds their forever home. You're part of the Love's Legacy family now.
We understand that sometimes, despite everyone's best efforts, a placement isn't the right fit. If that happens, please contact us immediately rather than rehoming the dog independently. Our adoption agreement requires that dogs be returned to Love's Legacy — never surrendered to a shelter or sold. We will work with you to find the best resolution for both you and the dog.

Out-of-State Adoptions

Adopting from Anywhere

Love's Legacy adopts dogs across the US and Canada. We're proud to place dogs in loving homes regardless of geography — and we have transport options to make it happen.

West Coast

The Pacific Northwest is one of our most common placement regions. Transport is arranged via ground transport with drivers on established rescue routes. Costs typically range $150–$400 depending on method and distance.

Nationwide & Canada

We place dogs coast to coast and across the Canadian border. For longer distances, we work with reputable pet transport services specializing in rescue dogs. You may also fly to California and bring your dog home personally — many adopters choose to.

Transport costs are typically the adopter's responsibility. We'll provide a clear, transparent breakdown before you commit. In some cases, community fundraising or volunteers may offset part of the cost.