FAQ

We are based out of Edmonton Alberta but our dogs are fostered all over Alberta. We do not have a facility or kennel as our dogs are housed with loving families until we find them their forever home!

Underdogs Rescue prefers to place a rescued dog into a home where it can receive one on one attention. Often the breeds of dogs we rescue don’t do well in the shelter environment; they strive to be a part of a family. This also allows us to get to know them better; we can then match them confidently with families interested!

We strive to find homes that can offer the best home environment for the dog. We look at many different things when matching a dog; these are things you have to ask yourself before considering any dog!

Underdogs Rescue dogs include spay or neuter, rabies, DA2PP, bordetella, deworming and a microchip. Most of our dogs have also worked with a trainer while in our care. Although we receive discounted services it isn’t free! See our adoptions page for a full list of services when adopting!

You must be 21 years of age to adopt one of our dogs.

Please note Underdogs reserves the right to deny any applicant no matter what age.

Underdogs Rescue offers a 2 week trial period for our dogs, once the application process has been completed. During this time it is expected that the home stays in contact with us to ensure the dog and the family are meshing well. This is extremely important to us as well since moving a dog can be stressful, especially when they have bonded with their foster home. We want to offer full support for the life of our dog(s).

Although we are grateful for those people who apply and consider a rescue dog, we want to ensure the right fit. If the adoption form is not fully completed or we feel our program isn’t for you we will not consider your application. Filling out a form is a start, once we speak with you, do the home check it may find that the dog you were looking at won’t suit your lifestyle. We match based on the compatibility, not the look of the dog. We hope our dog’s bio gives you a basic idea of the dog’s needs. Since we get multiple applications it is not first come first serve, we match based on the needs and strengths of both the dog and home.

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The application is not a test. It just gives us at Underdogs a preliminary idea of what knowledge you do have of owning and caring for a pet. In addition it helps us understand what needs to be discussed in greater detail, and if the dog you are inquiring about is the right fit for you and your family. Please fill out the best of your ability, and do not hesitate to email us with any questions.

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Once you have submitted your application we will review it. If we feel your application matches one of our dogs, and it passes our basic standards we will contact you. Please be patient! All our board members are volunteers so often they have to schedule a call when finished work. Please give 72 hours before contacting us; we work hard to get back to you in a timely manner!

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After the initial interview, we will have a volunteer come by and do a home check. The home visit is more about seeing your home and getting a better idea where our dog will be living. This is all part of ensuring we are matching the right dog with the right home!

Once the home visit is completed and passed, we will be in touch with you again and set up a visit with the dog's foster family. You are expected to travel to meet the dog and to bring your dog(s) and family for the meet and greet.

Please take the time to properly introduce your dog to his/her new home as well as any other family members he/she will be living with. It can take animals up to two weeks to settle into their new environment, so be patient. Do not leave pets unsupervised; keep your new dog kennelled when not at home! 

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Do not do “too much, too soon” give your new dog a chance to settle before putting them in high stress situations. If you know the dog is shy around people, don’t have a house party! 

Feed your pets and your new dog separate and monitor feeding times. Keep treats and toys out of the way until you know how both dogs will react. Although friendly these changes can create some competition with pets already in the home!

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It’s best to introduce your new dog slowly to any pets you currently have in the home. Coming into a new environment can be stressful for all pets, in which unexpected behaviours can occur. Do not leave them unsupervised. Understand that adding a second dog to your family can be stressful, and like adding a second child, they may not always get along. Don't get discouraged and take your time! If you are introducing the dog to cats please ensure your cats are safe! We suggest kenneling the new dog and allowing the cats to investigate. Although the foster dog may have lived with cats, it is often hit or miss and we have found cats take a longer amount of time to become comfortable with the new dog.  Respecting your pets' signs is extremely important to ensure safety and long term success.

We have wonderful resources, so do not be afraid to ask. We would be happy to help you and your new pet get what they need. Sometimes we know the answer and can guide you, or give you an idea where to go! We are always here to support our dogs and you.

Generally we allow you to meet the dog if the home visit was approved. We suggest this is done as soon as you can as we don’t reserve dogs for people.