FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

I am having trouble getting the application to submit – Am I doing something wrong?

It is best if you put something in each box, even if you have to put N/A. Also, at the bottom of the application, you type in your name and then hit the space bar until you are past Date and then type in the date completed. If your application was submitted successfully, you will receive an email confirmation that the application was received in the Little White Dog Rescue account.

How can I find additional information about the dogs on your website?

When you click on the dog’s picture, you will be taken to the Petfinder site that gives the biographical information about each dog. If you click on the Read More tab on that page it will expand the information and give the suggested adoption donation fee. We try to keep this information as up-to-date as possible.

How long does it take once an application is submitted before notification that we were approved?

Little White Dog Rescue is an all volunteer group. Most of our volunteers have full time jobs and families. We try to process applications in a timely manner – our goal is to have them processed within 5 business days, depending on success in contacting references. We are very thorough in evaluating applications to determine applicants are responsible dog owners that understand those responsibilities. Please keep in mind that if an application is submitted during a holiday season, it may take a bit longer – as volunteers we have families to enjoy celebrating with during the holidays.

What is the process in evaluating applications to adopt a dog?

The first step is to contact vet and personal references and then a home visit is scheduled. We either have one of our local volunteers conduct the home visit or contact a rescue partner in the area to do the home visit.

Applicants are notified of the need for the home visit and within 1 – 2 days upon completion of the home visit, there is notification of approval to adopt from Little White Dog Rescue.

Arrangements are then made for the formal adoption. Adoptive homes need to be willing to come to Omaha to pick up their new “furry” baby. We do not ship dogs on airlines in the cargo compartment. Adoptive families need to be willing to either pay for a person to accompany the dog in the passenger compartment of the airline or use one of the airlines that are “Pet Transports Specific.” It is up to the adoptive family to make arrangements for such transports.

Why do you charge for adopting dogs?

All of our dogs are taken to a veterinarian when they come into rescue. They are examined and given any vaccinations needed. Furthermore, any veterinary care needed to maintain the dogs health is provided by Little White Dog Rescue. Particularly in the case of mill dogs, they have not received regular check-ups that include dental cleaning. Just as with people, if a dogs teeth are not cared for properly, dental disease is a result. This lack of care can cause significant health risks to dogs. In addition, poor quality food can create health problems. We care for each dogs’ veterinary needs no matter the cost. We provide the highest quality food for our foster dogs.

None of this is free. We operate totally from donations – that includes the “Suggested Donation Fee” for adopting dogs. If it were not for the donations, we could not provide proper veterinary care and food for our dogs. We try to keep our costs within reason – the average cost per dog in $397.00

Are adoption fees ever lowered if an adoptive family cannot afford the “Suggested Donation fee?”

The average cost for bringing dogs into our rescue group is $397.00. All of our dogs are fully vetted – given whatever vaccinations needed and a complete veterinary examination. Often times, the dogs have not had good dental care and require cleaning and/or tooth extractions. There are times that some dogs require extensive veterinary care and these costs can be into the thousands of dollars. We never refuse the necessary veterinary care for any of our dogs. They are treated as we would our own dogs.

In addition, the yearly costs of maintaining proper health and dietary needs of dogs is about $700.00+ and our concern is that if the adoption fee is too high, it would be difficult to be assured a family would be able to financial manage to care for a dog properly.

Can I make payments for the adoption fee?

It is not the policy of Little White Dog Rescue to accept payments. Since we are licensed by the State of Nebraska, we are required to keep extensive financial records and allowing payments makes the bookkeeping quite difficult.

Do you “hold” dogs for families that need to wait a month or more to be able to afford the fee?

We rarely hold a dog for a family, unless it involves making arrangements for transportation to come to Omaha to adopt a dog. If this is the case, we require a deposit of half of the “Suggested Donation Fee.” Furthermore, in the case of puppies, we require a deposit for puppies to be assured the family is serious in wanting to adopt a puppy.

Where does Little White Dog Rescue get the dogs available for adoption?

Our dogs come from a variety of sources. We try to save as many dogs as possible that are being released from “puppy mills” because they are no longer needed for breeding purposes or they are merely “reducing stock.” There are times that owners are forced to surrender their beloved pets due to financial situations or they are moving and can not take the dog with them.

Is there someplace I can go to meet all the dogs?

Since we are an all volunteer group, our dogs are placed in foster homes. We feel it unfair to ask our foster families to either allow people to come to their homes to “view” dogs or ask them to go to a location for a potential adoptive family to come to “meet” dogs.

However, we do frequently have events at local pet stores where the public can see our dogs. We ask as many of our volunteer foster families to bring dogs to these locations as possible. It is also a learning experience for the public to understand the purpose of rescue groups. We try to keep our website up-to-date with the location/days/times of these events.

If I don’t live in a state surrounding Nebraska, does that exclude me from approval to adopt?

We have adopted many of our dogs to families that don’t live in states surrounding Nebraska. However, the approved adoptive family needs to make arrangements to either drive to Nebraska or provide the appropriate transportation arrangements. We do not ship dogs on airlines in the cargo compartment. Adoptive families need to be willing to either pay for a person to accompany the dog in the passenger compartment of the airline or use one of the airlines that are “Pet Transports Specific.” It is up to the adoptive family to make arrangements for such transports.

What is a “Puppy-Mill Dog?”

Puppy Mills are breeders who typically own many different breeds that breed specifically to sell to pet stores. These dogs are kept in deplorable conditions, often never touching grass or the ground. They are kept in wire cages and rarely know human companionship unless it is to breed – most of the time it is harsh treatment. They are rarely kept in warm, clean areas. They are not “house-trained” – they are accustomed to going anyplace. If they are kept in cement areas, they will step and sleep in areas soiled with urine and feces. Most of the time it would be described as the same living conditions of livestock.

They are frequently afraid of humans and don’t know the love of a home.

However, they can learn to trust humans and enjoy life in a good home – it requires patience and understanding.

How are mill dogs different from other dogs?

Mill dogs are unaccustomed for the most part to positive human interaction. Typically the only time they interact with humans is when they are being bred. They are not in warm, clean areas and don’t understand the rules of living in a house. These dogs have to learn to trust humans and know the love of a warm, clean home.

Are all of your dogs “house-trained?”

As described above, if dogs have lived in a puppy mill, they have no understanding of going to the bathroom in specific areas. All of our foster families work hard to house-train their foster dogs. However, we are reluctant to “guarantee” that there will not be accidents in a new environment. Adoptive families are told the dog needs to learn to adjust to their new environment and “learn the rules of the new home.” It is not uncommon for even a very well-trained dog to have accidents in an unfamiliar home.

We encourage adoptive families to be diligent in learning the dog’s “signals” they need to go outside. In addition, it is important to refrain from using harsh words or methods if a dog makes a mistake. Dogs don’t know if they have made a mistake and it happened earlier when we “rub their nose in it” and scold them. They need to be restricted in space until they understand our expectations. There are numerous books from reputable trainers to help training dogs.

Why should I adopt from a rescue group?

Rescue groups take dogs that are released from puppy mills or surrendered by owners that can no longer financially afford a dog or are moving and the dog cannot accompany them. We typically describe these dogs as “unwanted” dogs – through no fault of their own. You only need to do an internet search to discover the hundreds of rescue groups saving these dogs.

There are reputable breeders; however there are more puppy mills that merely exist to supply pet stores with “stock.” Many states are now passing legislation to restrict the number of dogs and the monitor the living conditions for breeders. All animals should have humane living conditions and the necessary veterinary care allowing them to lead healthy lives.

What is the “Seniors for Seniors” program?

We often get dogs that are considered “seniors” – age 7 and above. Often times, people are reluctant to adopt these dogs because of their age. We developed this program for people that are age 65 and above to allow them to adopt a “furry” friend – if they are willing to adopt one of the senior dogs. The “Suggested Donation Fee” is adjusted to $125.00 to account for the fact that many older adults are on a fixed income, but we know they would provide a loving home to one of our deserving dogs.