Adopt me

Thank you for considering adoption!

We currently adopt pugs to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey and New York.

Unless there is a special circumstance, at this time, we are only able to adopt to people living in these states where we can perform home visits and transport our pugs using our approved volunteers.

Adoption fees are based on the dog’s age, health, and in some cases, medical costs incurred during their time with us. Fees can range from $150 to $700 based on age and health (a huge savings from the typical $3,000 breeder fee).

Adoption fees can be paid with cash, Venmo, Paypal (with 2% transaction fee), Cashapp, money order, or bank/cashier’s check. No personal checks are allowed.

Why is there a fee to rescue?

Well, instead of buying a dog from a breeder, pet store, or online dog seller and for $3,500 or more, and worse… possibly supporting puppy mills and disreputable breeders, you are getting a dog that has been fully vetted. APR makes sure the dog has been spayed or neutered, is up-to-date on bloodwork, vaccinations, heartworm and flea/tick preventative, has had a dental( if needed), and has been fully evaluated for behavioral issues and any special needs. In most, if not all, cases, APR incurs more costs to acquire the pug and complete the vetting process than we ever collect in adoption fees.

The Approval Process

After submitting your application, you will be contacted by one of our volunteers as soon as possible. We are volunteer-run so please be patient.

APR is entirely volunteer-run, so please be patient. All updates will be posted to social media and the website. This is the process:

Step 1: Complete Application & Pay Fee
The first step in adopting a dog from your rescue is to complete an adoption application. This provides crucial information about the potential adopter’s household, experience with pets, and preparedness for a new pet. A $25 non-refundable application fee must be paid at this time. This fee helps cover administrative costs and is a one-time charge. The fee can be paid via the following methods
Venmo: @appalachianpugrescue
Paypal: [email protected]
CashApp: $appalachianpugrescue
Zelle: [email protected]

Step 2: Vet Check
A thorough vet check ensures that all current pets in the adopter’s home are:

Spayed or neutered (unless medically unfeasible)
Up-to-date on vaccinations, including core vaccines like rabies and distemper
On flea and tick prevention to ensure a pest-free home environment
On heartworm prevention as part of responsible pet ownership

This step ensures that adopters prioritize their pets’ health and can provide a safe and healthy environment for the new dog.

Step 3: Background Check
A background check is conducted to assess the adopter’s history and suitability for pet ownership. This helps verify that adopters can responsibly care for a dog and meet its needs.

Step 4: Home Details Verification
Using Google Earth, your rescue will confirm home details provided in the application. This ensures that the home is a safe and appropriate space for a dog, including having adequate outdoor areas, fencing, or other accommodations if necessary.

Step 5: Interview with the Director
A 20–30 minute interview is conducted with the rescue’s director. This conversation helps:

Clarify any details from the application
Answer the adopter’s questions about the process or the specific dog
Ensure the adopter understands the dog’s needs and responsibilities

Step 6: Reference Checks
References provided in the application will be contacted. This ensures that the adopter has a history of responsible pet ownership and can provide a loving and stable home.

Step 7: Home Visit
A home visit is conducted to verify that the living conditions match the adopter’s application. This step is essential to ensure the home is pet-safe and suitable for the specific dog.

Step 8: Meet and Greet (If Applicable)
For some dogs, a meet-and-greet may be required to assess compatibility. This helps ensure the dog and adopter (and any existing pets) are a good match. Note that the rescue does not transport dogs for adoption, so the adopter must arrange to travel to meet the dog if needed.

By following these steps, your rescue ensures that each adoption is a thoughtful and informed process, ultimately prioritizing the welfare of the dogs and their potential adopters.