Submitting an adoption application is exciting — and we know it can also feel a little nerve-wracking while you wait to hear back. One of the most common questions we receive is: “What happens after I apply?” Today, we’re pulling back the curtain to walk you through the adoption process step by step, so you know exactly what to expect and why things sometimes take time.
Step 1: Applications Are Carefully Reviewed
Once applications start coming in for a dog, our adoption coordinators carefully review every complete application. This isn’t a first-come, first-served process — our goal is always to find the best possible match for each doodle based on their needs, personality, and history. Because our dogs receive multiple applications, this step can take time.
Pro tip: While you wait to hear back about your application, we encourage interested adopters to continue applying for other dogs that match your home and lifestyle. This increases your chances of finding the perfect match and ensures you’re considering all possibilities.
Step 2: Coordinators and Fosters Work Together
After narrowing down the strongest potential matches, the adoption coordinator consults with the dog’s foster. Fosters know the dog best — their quirks, routines, and ideal home environment — and their input is incredibly important in choosing which family to contact first.
Step 3: Vet Checks and Initial Conversations
Once a family is selected to move forward, the adoption coordinator completes a vet reference check and connects with the potential adopter to talk through expectations, lifestyle, and any remaining questions. This helps ensure everyone is on the same page before moving forward.
Step 4: Foster & Adopter Connect
If everything looks like a good fit, the coordinator sets up a call between the foster and the potential adopter. This gives adopters a chance to ask questions directly and hear firsthand what daily life with the dog is like. At any point in this process — whether from the adopter’s side or the foster’s — if it feels like the match isn’t quite right, we pause and may return to other applications or continue reviewing new ones. The goal is always the dog’s long-term success!
Step 5: Contract, Meet & Greet, and Pick-Up
Once a match is confirmed, an adoption contract is sent. After that, a meet & greet and pick-up are scheduled so the doodle can head home with their new family. Once a dog is picked up, the dog is moved to our Pending Adoptions page, which you can view on our website. A dog listed as pending has more than likely found their forever home. That said, we believe in doing what’s best for everyone involved. If the adopted family feels the doodle isn’t the right fit, they may return the dog to Doodle Dandy Rescue within 14 days, and we will reopen the adoption process.
Step 6: Final Updates
Once an adoption is finalized, our adoption coordinators send emails to everyone who applied for that dog to let them know the outcome. We know waiting can be hard, but this step ensures clear communication once a decision is made.
A Note About Timing and Updates
We understand it can feel stressful not hearing back right away. Due to the volume of applications we receive, individual status updates on applications aren’t possible. A delay doesn’t mean rejection — it simply means the process is still underway.
Final Thoughts
Every step of our adoption process is designed with care, intention, and the dog’s best interest at heart. While it may take a little patience, this thoughtful approach helps ensure lasting, happy matches — and that’s always worth the wait. Thank you for choosing rescue, for your understanding, and for being part of the journey that gives our doodles their second chances!
For more tips on submitting the best adoption application possible, check out our Adoption Application Tips blog here: https://www.doodledandyrescue.org/post/tips-for-making-your-adoption-application-stand-out
Written By: Madelyn, DDR Volunteer