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General Questions

Where is the shelter for Furry Friends Rescue (FFR) located?

We do not have a physical shelter we keep our animals in. All our dogs and cats live in volunteer foster homes (See our Foster Home Network) so they can live in a real home environment while they wait to be adopted.

Where can I see your animals?

You can come to one of our dog or cat showcases located in Mountain View and Fremont, CA. You can find the exact location, showcase date and time on our Showcase Locations page.

Where do you rescue your animals from?

We rescue dogs and cats of all ages and breed type from animal shelters in Northern California when their time is up and they will be euthanized due to the lack of shelter space or they are scared or require medical attention. City shelters take in ALL animals as strays and surrenders, therefore, they run out of cage space. Most shelter dogs and cats only have 5-7 days before they are euthanized. FFR works closely with all these shelters and rescues the animals we can find foster homes for. Sadly, we are unable to save all the deserving souls due to lack of foster homes and money for high vet bills/boarding.

Are you a no-kill organization?

Yes, we are no-kill animal rescue organization. We do not euthanize animals just because they are not adopted. Once we rescue the dog or cat, we stand behind them for life until they are adopted or they become a sanctuary animal. We give them the time and love they deserve until they find their forever home.

When was your organization established?

We started FFR in November 1998.

Is it important to train my dog?

We highly recommend and feel it is crucial for you, your entire family, and your new puppy or dog to attend dog training to ensure you learn how to train your dog while socializing them with other dogs/people. Classes are fun for everyone and you also spend time bonding with your dog so you can learn how to understand your dog's behavior. Some sporty dogs need a job, so consider looking into fun dog sports like agility, disc or fly ball. Puppies must attend puppy training classes between the ages of 12-18 weeks. See our Behavior/Training page for more information.

What should I feed my dog?

Nutrition is the key to good health. We recommend and only feed our dogs, holistic quality foods; kibble, can food, treats, raw food diet, meats and veggies. Organic is best. Variety is good! It will provide various nutrition and it's not so boring.

Brands we like and feed to our own pets:

• Taste of the Wild
• Honest Kitchen
• ZUKE
• Stella & Chewy
• Chicken Soup for Dog or Cat Lovers
• Natural Balance
• Canidae
• Dogswell
• HALO

• Wysong
• Wellness
• Mulligan Stew
• Flint River Ranch
• Eagle
• Simply Wild
• Solid Gold
• Merrick
• Raw or cooked foods/meats

There are now many holistic brands and healthy supplements. Look for all-natural, human grade quality ingredients. Avoid chemicals, food coloring and preservatives. You can also read books, like: "Dog Dish Diet: Sensible Nutrition for Your Dog's Health". Purchase a autographed book and Dr. Greg will donate $5.00 to Furry Friends Rescue. Note in purchase field: Furry Friends Rescue

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Adoption Questions

Is there a fee to adopt animals from you?

Yes, the minimum tax deductible donation for an adult dog is $300, senior dog (over 8 years old) is $200. Puppy donation is $350 + $100 refundable deposit for spay/neuter, rabies vaccination & completion of puppy training classes. Minimum donation for adult cat is $90 and kittens are $125, pairs are $225. Or please match the animal's vet cost if higher to help defray their cost to FFR. Returns: We will refund your donation if under 30 days.

How come there's a fee involved in adoption?

When we rescue these animals from animal shelters, each animal goes to our vet for a vet exam and all necessary basic care to ensure their health.

• Vet examination
• Dogs: Vaccination (DHPP, Bordatella, Rabies)
• Cat: Vaccination (FELV/FIV test, FVRCP vaccinations)
• Dogs: Collar, slip and leash.
• De-wormed
• Spay/neuter
• ID Micro-chip (Home Again)
• Wash and grooming
• Flea treatment
• Any other necessary vet care

Some special medical needs and emergency care cost FFR about $1000 to $6000 for their vet care (See our Miracle Club page for special cases). Normal vet cost per animal would be about $300 to $600 or more. The adoption fee we receive from the adopter only covers a small portion of vet bills. We ask our adopters to match whatever the cost is for each animal, if possible, so we can continue to cover vet bills and support expenses for other rescue dog and cats.

Can I bring the animal home from the showcase location once we decide to adopt?

No, we do not adopt out our animals on the spot. Most of our dogs and cats have had a rough start in life and their foster homes are attached to them. We want to make sure we place them in a committed and loving family for life. So we go through a thorough adoption process to ensure the best match for both animal and family (never first come first serve basis). Thank you for your understanding.

What is the adoption process for FFR?

Here's the basic adoption process;

1. Fill out the adoption application (via online application or paper form at a showcase locations)
2. If your application is a match to the animal you want to adopt, we will contact you via email or phone.
3. Our adoption counselors will talk to you and your family. If you have a current dog or dogs, we have them meet our dog to make sure they are a good match. Cats of course will need to meet in your home and need gradual introductions.
4. After the interview, we will set up a home visit to make sure your home environment is dog or cat safe.
5. Upon approval of the home visit, we will complete the Adoption Contract. Congratulations!

How long will the adoption process take?

It depends on each case, but usually the adoption process will be completed within a few days to one week.

I have filled out an application, but I have not heard back from you. Why?

We receive a great number of applications everyday. We do our best to answer as many and as fast as possible but we are an all-volunteer organization. If you are a match and the animal is available, we will get back to you within 72 hours. We appreciate your understanding!

Safety concerns with dogs and young kids?

The highest bite accidents are with kids 2 to 7 years old. 70% of dog bite victims are children. Kids 12 years and under need 100% supervision. We highly recommend educating your children before you introduce a dog in your family. Please read following materials for more information.

Statistics from Kids and Dog Interactive Education:

www.kidsanddogs.org/statistics.html

Dog-Kid training (Highly Recommended):

www.caninehigherlearning.com

Dog & Kids Tips:

www.hssv.org/docs/behavior/dog_kidsndogs.pdf (pdf, 195kb)

I have a 90 lb. dog, can I adopt a 5 lb. dog from FFR?

We decline when there is a 50% difference in dog sizes, purely for the safety of both dogs. Please read the article "Size Differences in Dogs (pdf, 74 kb)" by The San Francisco SPCA Behavior and Training Department or "What is Predatory Drift?" to learn about possible concern in these situations.