Adoption Process

Watch the Mitten Mutts Facebook page or website to see available dogs. We are currently only doing adoptions for residents of the state of Michigan.

Choose a pet from the "Current Dogs" tab and fill out our adoption application. Please only apply if you are ready to adopt within the next week or two. We do not hold dogs.

Once you fill out the Adoption Application (linked above), our volunteers will check your references, review your application, and respond to your adoption application within a week or so. We are all volunteers here at Mitten Mutts so please be patient with us!

If your application seems like a good fit, we will schedule a home visit. Please note that most of our dogs receive multiple applications so submitting an application does not guarantee you will get the pet. Depending on where you live, the home visit may be in-person or virtual.

After the home visit, we will schedule an in-person meet and greet. The adopter is responsible for driving to the foster home (or to a previously agreed upon location) to meet the dog AND for driving to return the dog if the adoption should fail at any time. It is important to remember that we are a foster-based rescue, meaning all foster dogs live with our volunteers. We do not have a brick-and-mortar facility, so you and the foster will make a plan for where to meet. Usually, meets happen at the foster home, at the community room located in Bay County Animal Control, or at a neutral location like a park.

If the meet and greet goes well, you will pay the adoption fee for your MItten Mutt via cash, check, or Venmo (@Mitten-Mutts) and sign a contract.

For dogs who are 4 months old or younger - Fee is $300
For dogs between 5 months to 1 year old- Fee is $250
For dogs between 1 year and 6 years of age - Fee is $200
For dogs 7 years or older - Fee is $150

The dog will then be in a trial period with you. If after a few days, things are still going well, you will let us know. At that time, we will deposit the adoption fee. We will also sign and send you a copy of the contract and transfer your dog's microchip to you.

CONGRATS! You officially have your new best friend!!

NOTE: SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU WILL BE SELECTED. MITTEN MUTTS WILL ALWAYS DO WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE ANIMAL.

*The MMDR application is and always has been FREE. If you come to a page that asks for a donation or fee, that is a scam. Please email us the link and we can help direct you to the correct site if needed.

Adoption Requirements

Fix 'em up.

All current pets in your household must be spayed or neutered unless a vet has recommended otherwise.

Keep them healthy.

Adopter should provide all necessary vet care including by not limited to annual vaccinations, heart worm testing, and preventative measures.

These are your fur babies.

We want our dogs to be members of the family and be able to spend time with their people, not left outside.

Bring it back!

If an adopter isn't able to keep the dog, contact Mitten Mutts Dog Rescue immediately.