How to Adopt
- Step 1: Find Your New Pet Buddy
All of our pets have descriptions of their needs and personalities to help you choose the perfect new buddy for you and your family. Some of our rescue pets are in need of special attention, and before applying to adopt, please be sure that the pet’s specific needs are a good fit for you and your family. - Step 2: Complete the Adoption Application
Complete the Adoption Application online. Be sure to complete all sections of the application including the references and photos of your home. You must include a name(s) of a specific animal or animals you wish to adopt. We DO NOT pre-approve general applications. - Step 3: Reviewing The Application
Once we receive your application, it is reviewed by our adoption coordinator and then sent to the pet’s foster family. At this time, the pet’s foster family will review your application and decide if they feel you are good fit for the pet based on the information you provided. Only those applicants selected will be contacted for an interview. - Step 4: Interview and Meet & Greet
If the animal’s foster family sees you as a good fit, you will receive an interview request for the specific dog you have applied to adopt. If you are determined to be a good match during the interview, you’ll be invited to do a Meet & Greet. All of our dogs require an in person Meet & Greet before adoption with their future family to ensure that it’s the best fit for the pet, and for you! We do not transport dogs. - Step 5: Payment and Pick Up
You will pay the Adoption Fee(s) in full at the time of adoption. Pick up location is the foster family’s home, FREEdom Tails Ohio does not have a facility. Adopters are required to go where the dog is located.
Adoption Fees
The cost of care for each dog is up to $2,000, and we receive more and more medical cases. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the volunteers that make this possible, the adoption fee for each dog is only a fraction of the cost of their care.
- Puppies: $250–$900
- Adult dogs: $250–$900
- Kittens: $40+
- Cats: $20+
Every adoption fee includes spay/neuter, microchip, and vaccinations appropriate for the animal’s age and requirements.
There is a $20 Application Fee to apply to adopt.
We also offer sponsorship adoptions up to $1,500: if you pay the adoption fee for another person, the adopter does not have to pay the adoption fee at the time of adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does the process work?
The process starts with a potential adopter filling out an application. Once the application is approved, then the interview process will start. The adoption process may take as long as it takes to find the right match for the dog. If the process is completed and the dog is a good fit for the family, the adoption is approved and the dog can be picked up at the foster home.
2. How long does the adoption process take?
The time to place a dog in a home depends on the dog, and an average adoption process lasts 3-4 weeks, but can take more or less than that amount of time.
3. Am I eligible to adopt if I live out of state?
In some cases. We do not transport, nor do we ship, dogs or cats to locations outside of our foster area. We must do a home visit before adoption, and we prefer to work with adopters who can come to us for adoption. Is there a way for us to do a home visit if the adopter is out of state? We want to ensure that each pet is going to be in the best possible home. If requested, we will share photos and complete an in-depth interview either by phone or in person for those adopters that we feel are a good fit for our dog. Then we will need to do a home visit with a local vet reference or other local rescue in your area, or a home visit by one of our volunteers or vet team. For those that are not local, please note that we will need to do a home visit, and if we do not have someone in your area that is able to do it, we may require a visit to the foster home first. We have adopted dogs out of state, and to people outside of the United States, but we need to understand how you plan to do the home visit.
4. How much exercise does a dog need, and can they be left alone all day?
Exercise is important for all dogs, and it is also important for them to have the opportunity to socialize with other dogs. It is your choice to let them stay outside during the day as long as they get adequate exercise and it is also your choice to let them stay indoors when you are at home. We ask that dogs be left inside or brought inside when you are away from your home, and vice versa. Dogs are social creatures and need social interactions with people. We ask that our foster families and adopters do not leave their dogs alone for long periods of time. With that being said, we also understand that there are times when you need to leave the house and your dog may be left alone for a short time only. We believe this is acceptable if you are only gone for a few hours, but if you are gone for the entire day, we request that you find someone to check on your dog.
5. What is the adoption fee and what does it include?
The cost to adopt a dog is from $250 – $900, kittens $40+, and cats $20+. There are a few dogs that are available for adoption at our events, and the fee will vary based on the dog. Every adoption fee helps to cover the cost of the animal’s care, including their spay/neuter, microchip, and vaccinations appropriate for the animal’s age and requirements. Adopters are responsible for the cost of boarding their pet if the adopter is unable to find appropriate care for their pet for any reason. Although puppies are placed in foster homes, sometimes a puppy’s forever home is not known at the time of placement. We require an adoption contract and we do not take returns, no exceptions. Adopters are required to go where the dog is located.
Foster a Dog or Cat
We’re happy that you’re thinking of fostering a rescued dog or cat.
Are you interested in helping a dog or cat in need? FREEdom Tails Ohio is always looking for foster families to help us save more lives. As a rescue that is 100% volunteer and foster-based, we simply cannot save dogs without foster homes.
Our foster families provide a safe and loving environment for our rescue animals while they wait for their forever homes. A temporary home is a critical part of the rescue process, providing medical care and a calm environment where each animal can heal, regain their trust in people, and learn to love again.
When you foster, you provide a loving home, and FREEdom Tails Ohio provides everything the animal needs — including food, bedding, toys, exercise equipment, and veterinary care. We also provide ongoing training and guidance, regular check-ins, and support every step of the way.
Why foster? There are many reasons to foster. We believe that some of the most rewarding things in life are the ones that require no financial payment at all. Your support not only transforms their lives but also enriches your own.
The Foster Process
- Submit a Foster Application. Use the button below to apply. New foster families are asked to complete the application you choose.
- Interview.
- Home visit.
- Welcome to the team. We’re always looking to expand our foster community and team! We appreciate your willingness to volunteer your time and home to save the life of an animal in need.
Foster homes are located within about a 2 hour radius of Columbus and Akron, Ohio.