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Adoption Process

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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. We are a foster-based rescue, meaning we do not have a brick-and-mortar facility. All Mitten Mutts live in foster homes with volunteer foster families.

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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.

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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! It is helpful when adopters call their veterinary office to give them permission to speak with us.

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If your application seems like a good fit, we will schedule a virtual home visit. Please note that some of our dogs receive multiple applications, so submitting an application does not guarantee you will get the pet.

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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, so you and the foster will make a plan for where to meet. Usually, meets happen at the foster home, the community room at Bay County Animal Services, or a neutral location like a park. Adopters are welcome to bring family members (furry or human) to meets as well.

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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. The fee varies based on age and required vetting (between $150-$300). If a large breed puppy is being adopted we will often do a spay/neuter contract and reimburse part of the fee once proof of vetting is received when the dog is older.

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The dog will then be in a 21-day trial period with you. You are welcome to finalize early. Finalizing means we will deposit your adoption fee and transfer your dog's microchip to you. The microchip company we use (Fi) has free registration for life.

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CONGRATS! You officially have your new best friend!!

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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.

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Adoption Requirements

Help control the pet population.

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

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Keep them healthy.

Adopter should provide all necessary vet care including, but not limited to annual vaccinations, hear worm testing, and heartworm medication.

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Bring it back!

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

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