FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a shelter where we can come to view the animals?
No, we do not have a shelter. All of our animals live with foster families. They are integrated into our homes and are treated as a member of the family.
During their time in foster care the pets receive socialization with humans and pets in the home. They also learn basic manners in the home, such as beginning housetraining and rules about living in a home. Some of the pets have never lived inside a home before, so our foster homes are a great introduction before their permanent home is found.
Some of the pets need additional socialization and training that they just cannot get in a shelter setting. Fostering the pets is a way to get them in a safe environment where they can live with reduced stress as they learn to live in a world with kind people.
How did the dogs end up in rescue?
A large proportion of our dogs come from area shelters here in NC. Some come from commercial breeding facilities, places where large numbers of dogs are bred for the money their puppies bring to the owner. These can be puppy mills or backyard breeders. Other dogs come from owners who, for one reason or another, are no longer able to care for their dogs and ask for our help. When space allows, we will work with owners to place their pets.
Why are all of the dogs from FAAR spayed or neutered?
One of the biggest reasons why there is a need for rescue organizations such as FAAR and the other hundred or so rescue organizations in the area is due to the huge number of unwanted puppies and kittens born every year. In 2006 almost 5 million pets were euthanized in the United States, over 300,000 here in NC. By spaying and neutering the dogs and cats before they leave our rescue we can do our part to make sure that we are not contributing to the number of unwanted pets in our country. You can also help reduce the numbers of unwanted animals in our state by having your own pets spayed and neutered!
Another reason we spay and neuter our pets is because our pets are companion animals. They live longer healthier lives when sterilized. They are less likely to have behavior problems associated with sexual maturity and activity. They are less likely to have certain forms of cancer associated with the reproductive organs. In the end, they live happier, longer lives once they have been altered.
I don’t see the kind of dog I’m looking for. Can you find a specific breed for me? Will you help me find a pet that meets my specifications?
Yes and no! There’s never an easy answer. 25% of the dogs and cats in shelters and rescue groups are pure bred. So, if there is a specific breed you are looking for, we can sometimes help find it. If you are flexible, willing to wait, willing to consider a mix of that breed, or have more than one breed in mind, we can help more.
If you don’t necessarily want a pure bred dog, but want something that isn’t on our website, let us know! We have pets in our program that for one reason or another have not yet been posted. We have pets entering our program almost every week. If we don’t have what you’re looking for and you can give us clear details about what you’re seeking, we can often find it or it will enter our program within a few months.
Feel free to come by our adoption events and visit with the dogs and cats. You may find just the friend you’ve been looking for. Also, be sure to check our website regularly since it changes often.
What are the fees to adopt an animal from FAAR?
Our dog adoption fees vary from $150 to $300, depending on the dog, the age of the dog, and other factors. Our puppy adoption fee range from $200 to $350, depending on a number of factors.
Adoption fees help offset the cost of providing veterinary care, upkeep during foster, food, and preventative care to our animals. All dogs are vaccinated for common diseases and rabies, spayed/neutered, tested for heartworms, provided monthly heartworm and flea prevention and microchipped. Additionally, FAAR treats any dog that tests positive for heartworms before adoption. Any known illnesses or injuries are also treated before adoption.
I left a message and have yet to hear from you. Why does it take so long to get a return call and/or email?
Our preferred method of communication is email. We are generally able to answer emails very late at night or very early in the morning, either before our paying jobs begin, or after our job ends. This is fit in around taking care of all the foster animals, taking care of our families, and taking care of administrative work associated with keeping the animals healthy and keeping our records accurate.
Please have patience with us. We respond as quickly as possible.
Can you take in my animal today?
The truth is, there are always animals waiting to enter our program. We never have enough space. As soon as an animal is adopted, there is another one waiting in line to be saved. And there are always hundreds of animals at the local shelters who are being killed daily and we give shelter animals priority. Sometimes we do know of individuals looking for a specific breed and may be able to help you sooner rather than later. Otherwise, if your dog meets the intake requirements of our program, we will help only if we have a foster home in which to place the dog. We are not currently accepting any new cats into our program.
If we accept your pet into our foster program, we ask that you make a donation to our organization to help cover the cost of medical care your pet may need to be made ready for adoption or to help cover the costs, should it become ill while in foster care. We are very selective about the homes in which we place our pets, so it can take from a few weeks to many months to find the right home. If the pet has behavioral issues, it can take extra time to correct the behavior before the pet is adopted. While in foster care all pets receive premium brand pet food and monthly parasite preventatives, which cost our organization money. By accepting your pet into our program, we are taking on the responsibility for all care needed, both physical and psychological. This is care that, for whatever reason, you have decided you can no longer provide. Your donation helps offset our costs.
If you would like our help re-homing your pet without placing it in our foster program, if time permits, we are able to post your pet on our website as a courtesy listing. Your pet must be fully vaccinated and sterilized before it can be placed on our website. If it is a dog, you must have it tested for heartworms and clearly indicate the test outcome. If it is a cat, it must be tested for FIV/FeLV and clearly indicate the test results. The adoption process will be through you- FAAR does not process applications or return phone calls/emails for your pets.
We request that you charge a re-homing fee for your animal to give it value to those interested in adopting. Something given away for free is rarely considered to have value.
I’m ready to adopt a pet. Now what do I do?
Fantastic! We’re really glad to hear you’ve done your research, know what to expect owning a pet, know what the financial costs will be and are now ready to make a commitment! The first step is to email us at furever_angels@yahoo.com for an application or come to our next adoption event and discuss the adoption process with one of our volunteers and fill out an application in person. Our job is to find the best home possible for each individual animal. Anyone interested in adopting from FAAR must fill out an application to be considered.
Once submitted, we will contact your vet and personal references, confirm the information you provided is accurate, and assess your family as a match for the dog in which you are interested. Our interest is in finding the best match for each pet. Sometimes you may be interested in a pet that is not going to be a good fit for your family. If this is the case, we will let you know and discuss other dogs in our program that may be a better match. Once approved, if we do not have a good match at that time, we will continue to look for a dog and contact you as potential matches enter our program.
Once your application has been processed and you are deemed a good match a home visit will be required.. This will allow our volunteer to assess the environment that the animal will be entering and make a decision based on his or her observations whether or not the adoption is in the best interest of the animal. Please note: if you live in an apartment, rent to own, or live in a family owned home, we will need to contact property owner before the adoption can go through. Many properties do not allow pets, have a limit on the number of pets, or restrict certain breeds. We do this to ensure that a pet that is adopted from us has a permanent home, and will not be returned if it is found the guardian is in violation of his or her rental agreement. All pet deposits and fees must be paid before the adoption can be completed.
Once the adoption application is approved, your home visit checks out, and your property management company gives the okay (if necessary) we will meet with you to complete the adoption process.
I’m not ready to adopt, but I would like to help. How can I?
DONATE or VOLUNTEER
FAAR is a 501c3 non-profit organization. All donations to FAAR are tax deductible. All funds go towards running our organization, we do not have any paid staff. You can donate online through our website or online on our facebook page. You can also make donations at adoption events.
Many of the animals in our program require additional veterinary care to get them healthy for adoption. Our dogs may have needed dental care and extractions, treatment for injuries and infections, surgery to remove injured limbs or body parts, treatment for heartworms, radio-graphs and/or ultrasound to detect health issues, and long-term medications to treat chronic illnesses. Your donation makes these medical procedures possible.