Dachshund Haven of Garden Grove

Rescue and Sanctuary

Rules for Adoption and Surrender

***PLEASE KNOW THAT ALL RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME AS NEEDED***

Rules sounds so blunt and official, we know.  As you read the following regulations, and rules that Dachshund Haven of Garden Grove Rescue and Sanctuary has “adopted” (if you will) as our guidelines when adopting and placing the “furkids” in their new forever homes.   These rules and regulations will change with time and with the process our status for Non-profit.  Please excuse us if there is some repeating information here.  We will try to edit more as time goes on.

      If you agree with all the rules and regulations, we welcome you to fill out an application, checking the box that states you read and agree, with the rules and regulations and submit it to us for review with all indicated information.

      If at any time when reading our rules and regulations you find that you don’t agree, you feel you don’t think you should follow our rules or plain think our rules are ridiculous, we thank you for your time, patience and interest in rescue.  We encourage you to visit our site for information, or to look at our pictures etc, but we ask you to save your time and ours by not submitting a half-filled application or one with vague information. 

 All of the information is important, so please read carefully.  If at any time, there is anything that you don’t understand, or have questions about, please feel free to contact

Please remember...that we vet, feed, foster and care for these animals 24/7, not to mention the sanctuary dogs.  Between the feedings, the vetting, the cleanings, their laundry (which averages about 3 loads a day for the blankies and beds etc), the loving and spending time with them, working on their behavior issues, as well as doing the "Meet and Greets", the on line information and the going through the applications every day, our day is full up. 

Then on top of that, we have our personal lives.  We are non stop with the dogs, and our personal lives intermingle with them, so sometimes it may take us a day or two to respond to emails or telephone calls. 

We often find that people who don't have the patience to work with us and our time line, are the ones who do not have the patience to work with the animals either.  We have found many people who end up either buying a dog from a breeder or going to another rescue.  We are not happy when this happens of course, but it does happen.  What some people still don't understand is that we are not about an easy out or a quick find.  We are not first come, first serve.  We are the right home for the right dog.   We promote this and always have.  And this takes time, as everyone who has ever owned a pet knows, they all have their own personalities and quirks. 

 Certain personalities and quirks do not belong with certain home situations.   We take the time to match up the personalities with the home situations so to create the easiest transition and life for not only the dachshund but for their new home as well. 

We try to take everything into consideration...the applicant's living situation, everything from the layout of the home, the people and ages in the house, how long the dachshund will be alone, the animals already in the home, how many and how old the children there are in the home, if any, past experiences with dachshunds, the willingness of everyone adopting, the willingness of everyone to learn and to teach people who come into their home about their new dachshund, color, coat, age etc.  All of this is considered when a person submits an application.  The process itself can take anywhere from a month up to three months, for puppies. 

During this time, Chris goes through all of the applications she has received including ones, that were on the waiting list (yes there is a waiting list for certain types of dogs).  From there she starts the emails, telephone calls, visits meet and greets etc. From there the decisions are made. 

We also ask and hope that the potential adopters out there can realize that just because we don't have a rescue right now for them, doesn't mean that one won't come along in time.  We are constantly getting new dogs in rescue all of the time so sometimes a little patience is all that is required to find that "perfect match"

Then there are you guys out there who want to love so much that you guys can't wait to get your new family member.  We understand, really we do!  We appreciate and are so overjoyed that people are coming to rescues like us.  But ultimately, the timeline is, what it is, we will go through your application well as everyone else who has applied in an attempt to find the right fit for your home.  So we appreciate your patience with us, as we are working to find forever homes for many dogs!

This is to anyone and everyone who is on this site to find information about turning over a dachshund over to us, either now or in the future!

In today's economy things are tough all over and more and more animals are ending up in shelters and rescues (if they are lucky).

We receive many, and we do mean many emails, telephone calls and voicemails asking about turning over a dog to us.   Lately, there have been a lot of "emergency emails" sent to us, asking us to take in their dogs "now" and then these people refuse to reply or respond to us, when we email or call the person back.  Because there have been so many of these calls and emails we have now put a timeline on our turn overs. 

We are keeping the number of spots of incoming dogs to a certain number.  Because of this, we have set a 72 hour timeline between the time of contact and the time of turn over to us for rescue.  

From now on, when contact is made to turn over a dog, a person will have 72 hours or 3 days to make a decision and turn the dog over with all it's paperwork to rescue.  When we make room for a person's turn over (and they don't show), we are denying another dog to come into rescue that may need to come to rescue NOW.  This is happening too much, and it is not fair to us or to other rescue dogs out there who need help NOW.

We do not want people to think we are cruel for putting it so bluntly and making the timeline so short, we understand that people do not want to give up their dogs and like to hang on to their dogs as long as they possibly can then contact us two days before their move out date, or on the day they decide enough is enough and don't want to deal with the dog anymore, etc.  This puts us in a really bad situation.

We are not a facility, we are not a shelter.  We are a rescue, more simply we are a home.  We try to keep a steady flow of dogs being adopted out, as well as dogs coming in.  But sometimes things get slowed down by circumstances or our lives in general.  We are limited on the space we have here to take in dogs, so if you call asking to turn over a dog or dogs, then disappear with no further communication, we must open that spot or spots up for other dogs to come in.  We need to know who is coming and when so that we can make sure that we have our resources, extra help or even fosters in line to take these little ones in. 

We have decided that we can no longer put ourselves in a position to where we have to scramble to find room or make room for a dog because a person who contacted us three weeks ago, contacts us and NOW wants to turn over the dog they were going to turn over three weeks prior when there was room plenty of room.

In no way, are we ever forcing anyone to give up a dog. Please don't let the time limit make you think you must turn over a dog, you are more than welcome to say "NO" or say that you want some more time.  We always want a dog or dogs to stay in their home, so we are happy when it works out.  We do not need long explanations, just that the dog is safe and a turn over will not be needed.  If that is the case then we will be opening up the spot for another rescue to come in.  IF things come up again in the future an email or telephone call is all it will take to see if a spot is open.

If you need to ask questions in regards to rescue and what it may mean to your dog, please feel free to do so to either Chris or Dawnie. 

If you need to turn over your dog, then please, email Chris or Dawnie and explain the situation.  If there is room at the time, we will email or telephone back to ask some relative questions and if there is room, we will let you know when and where to drop the dog off with all their paperwork. 

It may get better in the future...but for now, if you are needing to turn over a dog, we will need contact from whoever will be turning over the dog and and the turn over or the plans to turn over the dog will need to be done in 72 hours or a spot for your dog cannot be garaunteed with our rescue. Although it is harsh it is necessary right now, as we have so many people claiming emergency's and then disappearing, only to turn up a week or two later, with the dog(s). 

(Dachshund Haven may at any time, announce that they may not be taking in any more dogs in for a time.  This announcement will be placed on the home page, where everyone can see it and will know it is there.  This may be done for a number of reasons, but once the decision is made for the time, we will not be able to take in any dogs for any reason.

Thank you for your understanding!

Quick Reminder:  Although  we do "NETWORK" with other dachshund rescues or even general rescues throughout the United States, we are independently run and operated  and have NO AFFILIATION with other rescues anywhere.  But we are aware of other rescues, as they are of us and ocassionally we may work together on a project or two, but that is usually where it ends.  We are all our own entities and are not responsible for anyone else's actions.

First and foremost, all of the adoptable dachshunds or "furkids" on our site are in our care.  Unfortunately, unlike larger rescues we do not have foster families waiting around for us to care for our dogs while we work on finding them a forever home.  Even though we don't have outside fosters, we do have trusted family and friends that do volunteer and evaluate the dogs behavior in different living situations and also work with the dogs on their behavior and training etc.

We also have in our care a couple of personal dogs along with the many sanctuary dogs which have been unable to be placed due to their behavior, age or medical issues. 

***Please note, that all dogs that come into rescue go through a vetting, behavior and evaluation process.  Most of the time a Sanctuary dog does not become a sanctuary dog right away, unless the dog has a major medical issue and cannot be placed because of it.  ***

All dachshunds we take in have an equal chance of being placed.  After a very long amount of time on our "Available Dogs" page and if the dog generates no interest by adopters (usually a year and a half or more) than the dog is usually placed into the Sanctuary page.    Some Sanctuary dogs are blind, others have medical issues, but a few of them may be 8 years or older.  Unfortunately, their age makes it hard to find them a forever home.  It is saddening to think a dog's age or the way he looks or the fact they cannot hear will keep the dog from finding a forever home with a loving family.  In today's overcrowded kill shelters, these little ones are usually the ones that end up being put down for nothing more than their age or the way they look.  For this reason alone, we work diligently in getting them forever homes, on campaigning and trying to educate people that age is nothing but a number and an 8 year old dog can be just as playful as a puppy in the right environment.   However, sometimes, it just doesn't happen for them.  In this case, they stay with us here at rescue and will live their lives out with us with proper care and socialization and no fear of being put down for their age. 

 The reason we put a year and half as the timing for turning over an Available Dog to a "Sanctuary" dog is not haphazardly chosen.  After a year or more, the dogs tend to become very attached to us here at rescue and if they were to be placed in a new home, the dogs would have a very hard time adjusting into a new home. 

Please know that this is not always the case, we have had cases where someone has seen a dog on the Sanctuary page, and has asked to adopt them.  After a evaluation of the adopters, we have on RARE occassions let a sanctuary dog go to these adopters, simply because the home was the right home, and the forever home knew of the medical issues, the behavior problems etc and was more than willing to work with the dogs to get the dog through it all.  We stick to our motto, which is right home for the right dog.  In these instances, these homes were right for the dogs, sanctuary or not.   

It is often remarked that if we here at Dachshund Haven of Garden Grove recieve so many applications, than that should mean that there are more than enough people to adopt the dogs, so why does the adoption process take so long?

We have adoptable dogs at all times on the "Available Dogs" page.  (You can always read the bios and see the pictures that we have on the site.)  These sometimes includes puppies and/or younger dogs which require ALOT of attention, care and socialization.

We would like to take this time to remind everyone that these dachshunds; puppies, young dogs, old dogs, sick dogs, healthy dogs, etc take a lot of our time and effort.  Between the feedings, cleanings, laundry of towels and blankets for the little ones (3 to 4 times per day on average), vetting, behavior, training, feeding, medicating, telephone calls, and emails, Meet and Greets and believe it or not, somewhere between all that we have personal lives, sickness, family and personal time, these things take time.

Although we would love to have a separate secretary or assistant to help us with all of our calls and such but for now it is just a two (sometimes 3) person operation when it comes to this adoption stuff.  What this means for everyone is, is that we don't spend 24 hours a day on the computer...we don't have the time...you are more than welcome to email us.  But sometimes it takes several days and on rare occassions, up to a week to return an email.  So if you email us, please don't send us five in a day if you haven't heard from us in an hour or so.  If you have not heard from us within 5 days of your initial email, then you should email again...otherwise, we ask that you please be patient with us.

We often find that people who don't have the patience to work with us and our time line, are the ones who do not have the patience to work with the animals either.  We have found many people who end up either buying a dog from a breeder or going to another rescue.  We are not happy when this happens of course, but it does happen and it is ultimately beyond our control.  What some people still don't understand is that we are not about an easy out or a quick find.  We are not first come, first serve.  We are the right home for the right dog and these right homes take time to find as each dog has their own personality and quality.

BREAKDOWN OF OUR TIMELINE

We are not about placing temporary homes, we want these guys to have "Forever Homes".  We promote this and always have.  Certain personalities and quirks do not belong with certain home situations.   We take the time to match up the personalities with the home situations so to create the easiest transition and life for not only the dachshund but for their new home as well.  And this takes time, as everyone who has ever owned a pet knows, they all have their own personalities and quirks.  Think how nice it will be when you find your new furbaby, and how nice it will be to KNOW that this is the right fit and that no matter what little quirks they have or will have you will grow to love them and find them cute. 

When reviewing an applicant...we try to take everything into consideration...the applicant's living situation, everything from the layout of the home, the people and ages in the house, how long the dachshund will be alone, the animals already in the home, how many and how old the children there are in the home, if any, past experiences with dachshunds, the willingness of everyone adopting, the willingness of everyone to learn and to teach people who come into their home about their new dachshund, color, coat, age the people are requesting etc (although the color is very low on our review, as the color of a dog does not determine the dogs attitude).  All of this is considered when a person submits an application, which is why it is very important for any applying to be up front and honest about what they are looking for and all the questions asked on the application.  The process itself can take anywhere from a month and can go up to three months, depending on the availability, health and needs of the dogs and homes etc. 

We try to collect our e-mail every day if not every other day.  However, we are not always able to be on the computer. There are times that we may be away from it for four to five days.  This does not mean that the adoptions have stopped or slowed down.  Any application submitted during our away time, are still being collected in our database.

We work hard to place our many rescued little ones into stable loving homes.  All of our applications are reviewed carefully before contact is made. 

All of the information asked on the application extremely important to us.  So please be completely honest about the facts on your application. 

We have caught a few people in some "fibs" with the information they give on their applications submitted, which makes it had to trust them with one of our fur-kids, so we have to pass them over or take the dogs back.

As of January 1, 2008, we have begun sending all applicants e-mails confirming that the application has been received and giving the applicants an idea of what the next step is.    This does not mean you shouldn't send us an email confirming your application, what it does is mean is that you will be receiving an e-mail from us within 7 to 10 days of us receiving the application submitted.  We do try to make it sooner, however, as we have stated many times, sometimes life gets in the way.  When we get your application we will send you an "Dachshund Haven of Garden Grove Application Recieved" email or a variance thereof. 

Please note:  If you have SPAM blocker please either put Duranie@dslextreme.com and CeeJays03@aol.com or the Keyword "Dachshund Haven" as a keyword.  We recently had people deny that emails were being sent to them, until they checked their SPAM folder.

ADOPTION FEES

***WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO  NOT ADOPT ANY DOG TO ANYONE WHO WE DO NOT FEEL IS SUITABLE FOR A RESCUE DOG.***

ABOUT PUPPIES

  All dachshunds adopted through "Dachshund Haven of Garden Grove"  shall be fully vaccinated, spayed/ neutered and all known illnesses or personality quirks shall be addressed to and disclosed to the person adopting the dachshund(s).   All spays/neuters and vaccinations and health issues will be addressed  before hand however, after the adoption process takes place, taking your newly adopted little one to your own vet is always wise as it establishes the dog in their records.   Once adopted the adopter is fully responsible for any and all vet bills including updated shots and yearly exams along with any other medical care the dog may or may not need.

Adoption fees are decided by Chris Jacobson are NOT up for negotiation.  Fees are set based on how much we have invested in the dog.  For example, we pay for spay/neuter on the dog(s), their dentals if they need them and most of them do, and then their vaccinations and then we take into consideration how long we have had the dog in our care and how much time we have spent working with the dog.  Age, sex, coloring and coat type, has nothing to do with our fees.   Adoption fees are non-refundable. 

When dachshunds are set as a pair there is usually a reason for it.  Due to bonding, whether sibling bonding or just plain friendly bonding over time, a pair is a pair and "Dachshund Haven" will not separate and adopt one or another. 

If you are considering adopting a dachshund and want to visit one, than arrangements can be made by emailing or telephoning Chris Jacobson for visits.  WE ARE NOT AN OPEN FACILITY FOR PEOPLE TO SHOW  UP AND BROWSE DOGS WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT .

Adopting a dachshund is a big decision as it requires responsibility and love.  A dachshund will be held for one week while a decision is made, after that if no contact than the "furkid" will  be placed back up for adoption to another adopting person. 

We appreciate contact, so if you decide that the time is not right to adopt than a courtesy call or email to say such would be appreciated and your name and application will be kept for future reference. 

"Dachshund Haven of Garden Grove" would like to remind everyone that adopting a rescue dog is different than buying a puppy from a breeder or a pet store.  Often the dachshunds have been through a lot and because of it some may have behavorial issues or quirks which need to be worked on.  Most of the time, we work with them and ease them out of it, but sometimes the hurt is so bad it never really goes away, which discourages people and often finds dachshunds back at rescue or in shelters.  These are not "bad" dogs, they just need to time to adjust, to be loved and cared for and the comfort of a stable home.    But, if at any time you take possession of one of "Dachshund Haven's" furkids" and you find that you honestly cannot take care or that the situation is just not working out, than "Dachshund Haven" will gladly take the dog back in order to keep them out of the kill shelters. 

Certain dogs come with certain quirks or behavioral problems.  Applications will be reviewed closely as certain dogs cannot be placed in certain environments.  Please be as honest as you can because these fur-kids will becoming a member(s) of your family.   Some dachshunds do well with children, others do not, some do great with men, some do better with women.  Usually dachshund by nature have what we lovingly call "short man's syndrome" and have issues with bigger dogs, some don't have any fear at all.  "

No home will be considered if the housing complex does not allow pets.  We do not allow our dogs to be hidden in apartments, condos or any rental homes.

Dachshund Haven of Garden Grove Rescue and Sanctuary adopt our dogs to homes where the dogs will live in indoor life as a house pet, and companion and to be exercised only in a fenced yard OR in an open outdoors situation with leashes only.   Our dogs should not be kept outdoors while no one is home to supervise or for very long periods of time (even with other dogs present, no matter the size or situation). 

You must be over 21 years old to adopt a dachshund.  If you plan on adopting than the dog must be for you.  We do not allow "gifts" of dachshunds.  If you live with other family members, roomates, etc. than they must approve of adopting a rescue dog. "Dachshund Haven" reserves the right to conduct a home inspection before placing the dachshund.

No home, condo or apartment complex will be considered without a fence. As well as any home, condo or apartment complex with an open non-fenced pool. 

If you are interested in a puppy, than a proper adoption process must be done.  A proper application with true and correct information, a proper "Meet and Greet" and a home visit will be scheduled.  We do not for any reason give out referrals to breeders or puppy mills.  Bribes or promises of donations are not acceptable and will not be considered in any way shape or form.  Any emails sent to us asking to "purchase a dog" will not be responded to.

Dachshund Haven of Garden Grove" reserves the right to refuse to adopt any dog to anyone that we feel is unsuitable for a dog.