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The Process of Bringing Home a New Family Member

We are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Donations of any amount are welcome. Your generosity is what keeps us able to rescue abandoned Boxers and provide them with a second chance at life.

Our Adoption Process

Have you been planning to adopt a pup today? Read Boxer Rescue of Albuquerque’s adoption process to successfully bring home a loving Boxer! We serve clients within New Mexico and occasionally, surrounding states.

 

  Adoption Fee Schedule:

Puppies under 6 months

$ 500.00

All vaccines and spay/neuter provided.

Boxers 6 months to a year

$ 350.00

Boxers 1 year and older

$ 250.00

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How to Adopt?

Rescuing a Boxer can be rewarding and challenging at the same time. We make effort to learn everything we can about our Boxers, from their needs to their strengths, personality, and temperament. We can’t emphasize enough, the time and effort we invest in selecting the right forever home for our Boxers.


Adopters need to realize that while the process only involves three steps, it can sometimes be lengthy depending on Boxer availability and adopter preferences.


● Step 1). We’d like you to fill out one of our applications. We would ask that you be as thorough as possible when answering the questions.


● Step 2). While the application answers many of our questions, we’d like to learn more about you. We encourage potential adopters to visit with us at one of our adoption events at Petvet Market. One of our volunteers will contact you by phone or email to chat with you about your motivation in adopting one of our rescues. We want to emphasize how important it is that you and our Boxer have an undeniable connection both emotionally and physically.


● Step 3). Once we have a match for the adopter we will conduct a home visit. We have found that virtual home visits work well and are also acceptable. Virtual home visits have always been required for our adopters living outside of Albuquerque, but with the COVID19 pandemic, we are also doing virtual home visits within city limits.


● Virtual home visits work well and can reduce the amount of time it normally takes for an adoption. Once the home visit is complete and any concerns or recommendations have been addressed we can then do introductions and a test drive (adoption trial) as a final step to make sure it’s a perfect fit for both you and our rescued Boxer.

It doesn't happen overnight.

The 3/3/3 rule is a general guideline for the adjustment period of a dog after adoption. 

Every dog is unique and will adjust differently.

3 DAYS

TO DECOMPRESS

  • Feeling overwhelmed​
  • May feel scared/unsure of what's going on
  • Not comfortable enough to be "himself"
  • May not want to eat or drink
  • Shuts down and/or hides under furniture
  • Tests the new boundaries

3 WEEKS

TO LEARN YOUR ROUTINE

  • Starting to settle in
  • Feels more comfortable
  • Realizes this could be his forever home
  • Figures ​out his environment
  • Gets into a routine
  • Lets his guard down
  • May begin to show his true personality
  • Behavioral issues may start to appear

3 MONTHS

BEGIN TO FEEL AT HOME

  • Finally feels completely comfortable in his new home​
  • Begins to build trust and a new bond
  • Gains a complete sense of security with his new family
  • Sets into a definite routine

Things to Consider

Adopting a Puppy Vs. an Adult Dog

Puppy growth, which is often compared to the time requirements of raising a human baby, can be a very rewarding experience. And just like a baby, you will not discover the dogs’ true personality, until it reaches adulthood. Young puppies require large amounts of time; feeding 3 to 4 times a day, kept in a confined area indoors, and let out every few hours to eliminate.


The first few weeks can be filled with sleepless nights as the bewildered puppy seeks comfort and food. A puppy’s growth phase requires much direction and training. Housetraining is accomplished only after accidents. Teething lasts the first 6 to 8 months. Puppies don’t become mature until they are two years old, meaning they act like teenage dogs for a year or more.


If everyone in your home is gone for eight hours a day, your puppy probably won’t get the attention he or she needs to meet your expectations. If you are gone much longer than eight hours a day, even adult dogs have high attention needs and may not be a good choice for your current lifestyle.

Advantages of Adopting Adult Dogs: 

Most dogs in the shelters are young adolescents. Many times they do not have behavioral problems; they were just victims of well-meaning owners who did not have the time, knowledge, or patience for the needs of a dog. While many rescue dogs could use a little more training they usually bond quickly with new owners and have fewer needs than a young puppy.


● Many shelter dogs are already house trained. Though they often need some reminders and a few days of adjustment time after their stay at the shelter or even with a foster family. Even if they were sadly kept outdoors only, adult dogs often only need a day or two to learn that they live inside, but eliminate outside.


● Many shelter dogs have already lived with children. People often assume that they should start with a puppy if they have children. Puppies have sharp baby teeth and can play too roughly with young children. There are many adult dogs in rescues that are recommended for households with children. And, teaching children about the moral benefits of saving the life of a homeless adult pet is a lesson that will never be forgotten.


● Adult dogs are easier to train than young puppies because they have longer attention spans. And many rescue dogs already know some basic commands taught in their first home or by their foster families.


● Adult dogs are generally more predictable. A dog isn’t full-grown until it’s a year old, so when adopting an adult dog you already know its full size, health and real personality.


● Dogs mature out of their “teenage phase” until they are often two years old. Adopting an older pet means that someone else already had his or her shoes chewed and you get the benefit of a dog that is mellower and allows you to finish the entire newspaper.


● Don’t discount a dog that is approaching a senior age. Even an eight-year-old dog has the likelihood of many more good years to give you. A senior dog often offers the sweetest rewards.


● You are taking a stand against the pet overpopulation crisis and saving an animal that will bond quickly with you, and shower you with gratitude and unconditional love.

All dogs are pack animals and have high needs for regular companionship and attention inside the home with their humans. If you are gone much longer than eight or nine hours a day, a dog may not be an appropriate pet for your busy lifestyle.


Check out our adult dogs who would be perfect matches for your current and future families!

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