Adoption FAQs

In order to rescue dogs and cats, CDR&CK needs to pay shelter, transport, vet, spay/neuter, and microchip fees; costs of medicine; heartworm and flea preventatives, food costs and any extra urgent medical care.  We typically spend much more per dog or cat than the amount we charge as our adoption fee.  Many of our rescued dogs and cats were not cared for adequately in their previous lives and are in need of significant vet care when they first arrive at CDR&CK.  CDR&CK is a predominately volunteer-based organization that relies on donations and adoption fees to cover all operating expenses.

Through a careful screening process, CDR&CK strives to find permanent homes for each dog an cat. In the hopefully unlikely event that an adopter is no longer able to care for his/her pet, CDR&CK requires by contract that the dog  or cat be returned to CDR.

Due to volunteer resources, we typically adopt only to families in the Metro DC area.  In rare circumstances (e.g., a special needs dog), we may adopt to families outside of the Metro DC area.

CDR&CK dogs and cats typically come from overcrowded and/or high-kill shelters. Sadly, many of them would have been euthanized due to lack of space.  CDR&CK has established relationships with various shelters and rescues, and primarily rescues from rural communities in VA, NC, SC, and WV.  Most dogs and cats are in the shelter through no fault of their own. Many are strays with no identification. Others are the result of amateur breeders who can’t sell all the puppies or kittens. Often times, the former owners couldn’t afford to keep their dog or cat, had a change in their living situation, or had other pets that were not compatible.

All of our available dogs and cats are posted on our website. If a potential adopter would like a specific type of dog or cat that is not listed on our website, he or she should complete an adoption application and note that on his/her application. We may know of an available dog that might be of interest.  We are not able to accommodate all requests and your application will be placed on hold until you identify a suitable dog or cat.

Many of our adopters have full-time jobs but typically provide for a mid-day dog walk through a dog walking service or enroll the dog in doggie daycare. Cats are fairly resilient to long hours alone. Kittens under 12 weeks of age need to be adopted in pairs or to a home with another friendly feline.

We sometimes know about a dog or cat's tolerance for cats before we receive them based upon shelter records. If we do not know, we can sometimes "cat test" the dog or cat to see how he or she interacts with cats or dogs in a household. Many of our dogs are comfortable with other dogs and, in fact, some are fostered in a cageless daycare environment with many other dogs around them. If we find out that a dog does not interact well with other dogs we will determine if they are dog selective or need to be an only dog. Their profiles will be updated to reflect this information and any pending applicant will be notified.

Adopters should expect that any new dog or cat will need training with respect to house training. Some of our dogs or cats may never have had any formal house training, while others may arrive trained. Even though some of our dogs and cats may be house trained, they will often have accidents in a new environment. All new adopters should be prepared to be patient with respect to any house training issues that may arise.

We do our best to disclose all health records and known health conditions to adopters. Upon accepting a new cat or dog into the organization, we provide a basic vet visit that includes necessary vaccinations and health tests, but we do not provide a comprehensive medical exam prior to adoption. As a result, sickness, injury, and disability may exist unbeknownst to CDR&CK.  City Dogs Rescue & City Kitties is not responsible for payment of any vet care, including known and unknown medical conditions once a cat or dog is adopted from us.

Heartworm can be a serious disease, but can easily be prevented through monthly preventative tablets.  CDR&CK dogs are usually tested for heartworm, and we will disclose to adopters if they are heartworm positive.  If they are positive, we will discuss the treatment protocol. Thankfully Heartworm is very treatable in dogs.