Black Dog, Second Chance

Thank you so much for choosing to adopt from Black Dog, Second Chance! We really care about our animals and are happy that you decided to adopt a dog needing a home rather than buying from a pet store or puppy mill.

Adopting a dog is a huge commitment that is life-long for the animal. All of our dogs are considered members of the family and have feelings and rights. Please review and research the breed/animal you are considering prior to adoption to make sure the breed/animal is suitable for your home, family, lifestyle, and activity levels.

**Please note that sometimes we get multiple applications for one dog. Unfortunately, there must always be a disappointed family. =( We try to process applications on a first come- basis.

Adoption process is as follows: (please note that we only adopt within 45 minutes from the East Amherst, NY area, due to our mandatory home visit policy, however, we will make exceptions and drive further for SOME dogs such as medically needy dogs, pairs that are adopted together, or dogs that need to work through minor training)

All of our dogs come with an adoption folder FULL of their original vetting paperwork, including an easy to read form which itemized each vetting that was done to your new friend.  

We offer a FOSTER TO ADOPT option for some dogs. Please ask if the dog you are interested in is eligible for this program.  

Medium-Large Adult dogs are $150-300 which include spay/neutering, rabies and vaccinations, worming, heart worm test (when relevent), flea meds, microchip in some cases, and a free first vet visit to a participating vet of your choice; and an optional month of shelter care insurance for just $1; a baggie full of toys/treats and some food to aid in the transition of his/her new diet, and a brand new collar and leash.

Small dogs under 25 pounds or so are $200-$350 which include spay/neutering, rabies and vaccinations, worming, heartworm test, flea meds, microchip in some cases, and a free first vet visit to a participating vet of your choice; a baggie full of toys/treats and some food to aid in the transition of his/her new diet, and a brand new collar and leash.

Puppies under 6 months of age are $150-$300 and include current puppy vaccinations, worming, flea meds, spay/neuter/rabies, and a microchip in some cases,  a baggie full of toys/treats and some food to aid in the transition of his/her new diet, and a brand new collar and leash. If you are adopting a puppy under 12 weeks old, the pup will be spayed/neutered/rabies AT OUR VET (will be done as early as 12 weeks of age unless special provisions are made between the rescue and the adopter). Puppies will come with a free first vet visit to a participating vet of your choice, at which time it is the adopter's responsibility to get their puppy's additional puppy vaccinations at their own cost, as well as the second round of worming, if necessary;

Purebred dogs are $250 and up, (depending on the breed and age) which include spay/neutering, rabies and vaccinations, worming, heartworm test, flea meds, microchip in some cases, and a free first vet visit to a participating vet of your choice; a baggie full of toys/treats and some food to aid in the transition of his/her new diet, and a brand new collar and leash.

Senior dogs are $0-100, which include spay/neutering (unless they are ancient), rabies and vaccinations, worming, heartworm test (when relevant), flea meds, microhip in some cases, and a free first vet visit to a participating vet of your choice; a baggie full of their favorite toys/treats and some food to aid in the transition of his/her new diet, and a brand new collar and leash.

***Puppy Mill dog adoption fees are $250 minimum for adults and $350 and ABOVE for a puppy 18 months or younger or small Yorkie or other breed, on occassion the adoption donation will need to be higher due to medical costs of gaining the dog's freedom! (this fee covers the spay/neuter; shots, brucellosis test, heartworm test, worming, dental cleaning if necessary) Please read at the bottom of this page about Puppy Mill dogs and their special needs for adoption.

**Please note that if you are adopting a Pit Bull or similar bully breed, we make ask for proof of homeowners insurance which covers such breeds.

Cats are $50, kittens are $75 for older kittens and $90 for young kittens, which includes their felv/fiv test negative, their feline vaccines, rabies (if old enough), worm, flea treatment and a free first vet visit.

Are your adoption fees negotiable?

No. While we sometimes reduce our adoption fees on *specific dogs* for the right family (and already indicated in their profiles if this is the case), our adoption fees are similar to other reputable rescues, and in some cases even less. Most of our dogs have well over the adoption fee put into them for vetting and we must rely on dipping into our own pockets to pay for necessary costs involved in saving them. We have to pay for food, medical care and necessary things such crates, blankets and leashes. So the average adoption fees are actually a LOSS for our rescue. Additionally, we often take in dogs that most other rescues will pass over. Contrary to popular belief, we DO NOT get a discount on vet bills. We pay the same at the vet, just like you do. All our dogs come with the original vet papers when they are adopted, so you can see for yourself that we receive no special treatment when it comes to vet bills.

Our adoption fees are reflective of our compassion and care for all of our animals.

 

****Puppy Mill Dogs have special fees/adoption requirements****

Occassionally we will get in dogs that have been seized from Puppy Mills. These dogs are special dogs and require special care and a special home. They cannot be adopted to just anyone.

• Before you confirm your interest in adopting a puppy mill dog, we would like to tell you a little bit about what it's like to live with a puppy mill dog. We want to save them all, but please do not act on the spur of the moment. Think it through, this is a lifetime decision- much like having children!
• These dogs are NOT housebroken- THEY WILL PEE IN YOUR HOUSE. Please make sure your entire family is 100% in agreement with bringing another dog into your home- and that they also understand the many problems that can occur. These dogs can be difficult to potty train.
• They tend to be frightened of sudden noises, and sometimes even the touch of a hand. Some dogs will never be a normal dog due to the neglect and treatment they received in the mill. These dogs also tend to run or bolt if given any opportunity to do so and can be very hard to catch because they are afraid.
• It takes time to build the trust that the mills stripped from the dogs during the time they were in the mill. They can go from being very scared to being totally dependent upon you, in such a short time. They may attach themselves to one person in the home and become their protector and not want to allow anyone near that person. They may not want to be seperated from you. They can become very stressed if they are boarded. They remember their life in the mill and they feel as though they have been placed right back into that situation when they are boarded and put in a cage, groomer cages can be a problem, too.
• You have to be willing to take time out of your current lifestyle to help this poor unfortunate soul who depends solely on you. These dogs have many needs and they have been through hell living in a small cage, not getting enough to eat, not knowing understanding, love, patience, or the gentle touch of a hand. Some have spent their entire lives living in a cage with their feet never touching the ground. They do not know what grass feels like beneath their feet. They have never been walked on a leash before.
• These dogs generally require ongoing vet expenses.
• They tend to require dentals more frequently due to their years of neglect of dental care. They require some, if not all, of their teeth to be removed if they are older. They may develop joint problems, after they are adopted, that were not known prior to adoptions because of their years of inactivity confined in cages.