• • • There may be additional adoption requirements for puppies (puppy classes, spay/neuter, etc.)
    • All adoptive homes must be stable, supportive, and capable and willing to meet all veterinary needs of the animal.

Our Adoption Process

Step 1

Fill out the Adoption Application and submit it to us. Or you may contact us via email at info@bajadogrescue.org if you have questions first. Filling out an Adoption Application is always advisable. Please make a copy of the application before you submit it. You will need a physical copy of your application at the time of adoption.

Step 2

Once we receive you application we will process it. It may take 24-72 hours before your application is processed and you receive a response back from us.

Step 3

If your application received, reviewed and approved, we will email you to set up meet & greet appointment. Meet & greet appointments are always set for  Saturday mornings in San Diego.  If a dog is very popular and there is a lot of interest we can not guarantee that the dog will be available for a meet & greet appointment. A meet & greet appointment requires a refundable deposit via Paypal on the dog. Placing a refundable deposit will lock the dog in for you and you will be the first party to be able to meet with and choose to adopt that dog. Once a refundable deposit is placed you will receive another email confirming the meet & greet appointment for you and the dog. If you choose not to adopt at the meet & greet appointment the refundable deposit will be refunded to you. If you do choose to adopt the refundable deposit goes towards the adoption fee of the dog.

Step 4

Please make sure of all necessary logistics plans if you require additional family members to attend. We can not hold a dog for any party during the meet & greet appointment. Once you are at the meet & greet appointment, it is best to decide at the meet & greet appointment if you wish to adopt or not. Especially if a dog has a lot of interested qualified parties. We want to give each dog a chance to get a home. You will be given a TIME, DATE & LOCATION,  (Usually Saturday), to meet your prospective pet. You will be given a (30) thirty minute appointment window where you can come to meet them. If you place a refundable deposit and get an appointment time and day, the dog is locked in for you to see only and will not be made available for open adoption to any other party until after your appointment window expires.

Step 4

A brief interview will occur the meet & greet appointment. Meet your prospective new pet. Spend time time with them and see how it goes. Await final approval.

Step 5

Contract & Payment. You must sign an adoption contract and provide payment. If your meet & greet appointment goes well, you will complete an adoption contract at the meet & greet appointment and can take the dog home then. We ask for a adoption donation to help us cover spay/neutering, vaccinations, extensive medical treatment, medical care, food, and supplies. These adoption donation amounts only partially cover the cost of expenses involved in the temporary care and adoption of our dogs and is tax deductible. You will also receive a full medical record, feeding instructions, and additional information on transitioning your dog to a new home.

Step 6

Take your new best friend home!

What if the adoption doesn’t work out?

It can take a good 5 days for a dog to really adjust to his/her new environment. A lot really depends on the dog’s past, so the prospect of adopting should be well-thought-out & the commitment should be taken seriously.

Baja Dog Rescue is a 501c(3) non-profit and all donations go directly to the care of our dogs and are 100% tax deductible. The suggested adoption donations only partially cover the cost of the expenses involved in the temporary care and adoption of our dogs.

If you are ready to adopt, please fill out our online application.You can find our online adoption application here.