Adopting a dog with Les Amis des Animaux

How does the adoption process work at Les Amis?

Most dogs arriving under the Les Amis care spend some time in foster, whether they are a few days old or in their twilight years. This allows us to deal with any immediate medical attention necessary, start the training process and better understand each dog and their needs. We then prepare a profile for each dog covering what they like and the type of environment that would best suit them. This will help you choose the right dog for your situation.

How do I register to adopt?

The easiest way is to register online. We ask you questions about the life you and your family lead, your home and your preferences to help find the right dog for you.

What if I see a dog I am interested in?

We are delighted that you have found a dog that has caught your eye. The first step is to register online. This provides us with the necessary information on your situation and allows us to compare your situation with the profile you have in mind.

Our adoption team are experts in matching up the right dog for you, taking all the known information into account. Sometimes the first dog you saw is not the best match. But we will work with you to help you make the perfect choice.

Where there are several people interested in the same dog, we deal with applications forms received in strict chronological order. However, not being the first in line does not mean there is no hope. Because we are looking for a match between the dog in question and the family, it is not as simple a process as being first in line.

Can I register if I don’t see a dog I am interested in?

Yes of course! The first step is to register online. We are always happy to receive your application and to start the search process.

We always have several dogs in foster, who may not quite be ready for adoption. Our adoption team can search through profiles and make some initial suggestions. Who knows – the perfect dog may just be waiting in the wings for you!

What happens after I have registered?

Once your application has been approved, we can start the serious business of finding a match for you. The adoption team will review your situation and preferences, and make some initial suggestions. We encourage regular communications, initially with the adoption team and then with the fosterer. A “meet and greet” can be organised, and with immediate or delayed adoption.

How much does it cost to adopt a dog?

We never charge for the dog itself. We do however seek a contribution to those costs that any responsible owner would pay and which we have already paid to get the dog adopt-ready: Chipping, Vaccinations – including rabies/passport in mature dogs, Sterilisation, Deparasiting Processes (Worm, Tick, Flea).
Our current adoption contributions are:

Puppy with Chip, Parvo live vaccine, Primo vaccine, worming, deparasiting and health certificate:300 euros (of which 75 euros is refundable upon evidence of sterilisation). This means of puppy of around 8-12 weeks of age.

Puppy with Chip, Parvo live vaccine, Primo & Rappel vaccine, worming, deparasiting and health certificate: 330 euros (of which 75 euros is refundable upon evidence of sterilisation). This means a puppy of between 3 and 9 months of age. Please NOTE: Where a puppy is run on for the convenience of the adopter, an agreement between fosterer and adopter will be made to cover the cost of food etc.

Adult dog – up to and including 6 years of age – chipped, fully vaccinated including rabies and passport, sterilised, etc: 250 euros Male, 300 euros Female.

Mid-age dog – 7-9 years – chipped, vaccinated including rabies, sterilised, etc: 175 euros

Senior dog – 10+ years – chipped, vaccinated including rabies, sterilised (where health allows), etc: no charge for adoption. People willing to take on a senior will – if there are vacancies – be offered lifetime foster as an option.

What else is involved?

Once the adoption date has been arranged, the adopter receives an adoption contract, and relevant paperwork. This contract must be signed and returned. Payment of the contribution is made at this time either by bank transfer or cheque and must be completed prior to the dog leaving its fosterer. Once the dog is settled with you for a couple of days, we transfer legal ownership via iCAD to the adopter. This is sent to the adopter direct from iCAD in the post.

Communication continues to help with any questions around training or settling in. We consider all adopters as part of our Les Amis Community and love to get updates as and when possible.

Your home and lifestyle

I have children – can I adopt a dog?

Adopting a dog is a huge decision for any family. At Les Amis des Animaux we stress the importance that everyone in the family has agreed to adopting a dog.

Not every dog is suitable for young children, and we work very closely with you to find the dog of the right temperament, energy and size to suit your family needs.

I am about to move home – can I adopt a dog?

Moving home is very disruptive for people and for animals. It is especially disruptive for a dog that has recently arrived. For this reason if you are planning a move within the next six months, we suggest that you delay adopting until you have settled into your new home.

I live in a flat – can I adopt a dog?

You will be asked about the type of home you live in and whether there is outdoor space for on-lead and off-lead exercise nearby. The adoption team will take this into consideration when finding your perfect dog, and many dogs are quite happy living in a smaller space with regular access to the outdoors.

Each situation is unique and we will strive to find the right match for you.

Can I foster a dog before adopting?

In certain cases, fostering with a view to adoption is a possibility. Mention on your form if you are interested in having a trial period before the final adoption.

Do you have an age limit for adoption?

At the younger end of the scale, we have to have parental approval for young people seeking to adopt and still living at home. For senior citizens we do not have an age limit – much is dependent on a person’s level of activity, health and support system should anything happen. Many older people are happy to take on an older dog. It is about matching person to dog, regardless of age.

Is it possible to adopt with you if I do not live in France?

Yes, it is entirely possible. All our adult dogs have passports as part of their preparation for adoption. We are always seeking a good match so an approved home only would be allowed to adopt. There are costs involved, both from a travel and distance point of view. This can make a significant difference to the cost of adoption if a transporter is used. We spell out and discuss all these options.