What are your hours of operation, and where may I come by to see your animals?

Long Way Home is a foster-based program, which means we do not have a physical facility that is open to the public. Once your application is approved, we schedule a meeting between potential adopters, the foster home, and the Long Way Home Adoption Coordinator.

I have filled out my adoption application. Now what?

Applications are automatically submitted through the form, but we may take a couple of days to process them. We are a volunteer organization that operates around full time jobs and family obligations, so please understand we may not be able to get to them the same day they are submitted. It also depends on how long it takes your references to return our calls, if your vet clinic is closed for the weekend, etc.

I have submitted my application. When can I come get my new pet?

Submitting an application does not guarantee adoption. Applications must first become approved by evaluating answers and checking references.

My application has been approved. Does this mean I can adopt this pet now?

Unfortunately, sometimes we have multiple approved applications on a rescue animal. Because Long Way Home does not do “first come, first served” adoptions, it means that we have to turn away some very worthy homes for that particular pet. However, we encourage applicants to look at our other adoptables via Petfinder or Facebook. With an approved application, you may be expedited for another rescue animal in our program.

What happens if I get approved to adopt, but it doesn’t go well when we get home?

All adoptions come with a 5 day grace period in which the animal may be returned to us. The adoption donation will be held during that 5 day grace period, but on the 6th day, it becomes a non-refundable donation. Long Way Home commits to our rescues for life. If, for any reason, adopters cannot keep their rescue pet, adopters are required to return them to our rescue at their own expense.

If I submit an application first, does that guarantee I get the pet?

All of our rescue pets live in foster homes. Foster parents find out what the animals like or dislike, what type of family structure would serve them best, and which home environment would allow them to flourish. Because we have this information, Long Way Home Adoptables does not use a “first come, first served” approach. We evaluate all approved applications based on what would be the perfect home for each particular animal based on their own unique personalities and needs. We are pleased you have chosen to adopt your next companion animal and honored that you have selected a Long Way Home rescue to become part of your family. Our organization runs entirely on dedicated volunteers who often have families and pets and work full time jobs, so your patience during this process is appreciated!

What is your adoption fee?

We ask for a minimum donation of $200 to adopt. Healthy adult dogs receive around $450 in care and supplies, and that cost increases depending on what health issues he dog may have. The $200 donation only covers a portion of the costs it takes to rescue a shelter pet, but we believe in making adoptions as affordable as possible. In fact, for puppies too young to spay/neuter, we offer $100 adoptions for families who choose to sponsor the spay/neuter cost at their own veterinary clinics. Adopters who choose this option will sign a spay/neuter contract, and all surgeries must be done by 20 weeks of age, or the adopters will be in violation of the contract and the dog must be returned. Please see what all is included with each $200 adoption fee below.

What all is included with an adoption fee?

With your donation, your future rescue dog will be fully vetted and will have all vaccinations and medical testing that are considered age appropriate. After the adoption, any remaining veterinary care will be the adopter’s responsibility. If your pet is old enough, it will be:
— Spayed or neutered (after 20 weeks of age).
— Microchipped and registered to Long Way Home.
— Current on the following vaccines: rabies (after 12 weeks old), bordetella, distemper and parvovirus (after 6 week old).
— Heartworm tested and current on monthly heartworm prevention. If the dog tested heartworm positive, they will be current on treatment, and that treatment cost will be covered with the vet of our choice until completion, unless the adopter chooses to sponsor that cost independently.
— Flea free and on monthly flea prevention.
— Dewormed and fecal tested.

Do you adopt out of state?

YES! In fact, we have adopted our babies out to several states all over the country. State of residence has no impact on our adoption application.

I am not local to Bryan/College Station, Texas. If I live several hours away or in another state, how does this adoption work?

No problem! The majority of our adopters are not local to our area. Some families cash in their frequent flyer miles and come in, since our pets are small enough to bring on board as carry-on. Some families drive in from other states, or other parts of Texas.

If you need transport assistance, our preferred method is by plane, which is an all-inclusive fee of either $100 (most common) or $200, depending on the airline. We occasionally have to use ground transport, and that fee is $200.

*Please note: transport companies and groups do not provide “doorstep delivery”. Typically, we are able to get the animal to the closest major city to you.