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Adoption Process
Your journey to finding the perfect match starts here.
Adopt a Dog
Giving a rescue dog a second change is one of the most rewarding experiences. Our adoption process is designed to ensure the perfect match for both you and the dog, setting the stage for a lifetime of happiness together.
Why Adopt from Chance 4 Change?
- Temporment Tested: Our dogs are carefully assessed so we can confidently pair them with the most suitable family.
- Vet Checked & Healthy: Every dog in our care receives at least one PARVO and kennel cough vaccination, is microchipped, council registered, and kept up to date with flea and worm treatments. All dogs are desexed between 6 months and 1 year of age, and dogs under 7 years come with a period of free pet insurance, to help them settle safely into their new homes.
- Lifetime Support: You’ll be invited to join our adopted dogs Facebook group, where you can connect with littermates, ask for advice, and share your adoption journey with our supportive rescue community.
Ready for Love
Find Your Soulmate
Step-by-Step Guide
What does the adoption process look like?
1
CHECK YOU MEET OUR ADOPTION CRITERIA:
- Own your own home or have lived in your rental property for 2 years or more, with documented approval for dogs included in your tenancy agreement.
- Have a fully fenced section of property.
- Provide an indoor sleeping area.
- Agree to desex the dog at 6–12 months of age.
4
TEAM REVIEW:
A team member will contact you to discuss next steps (via email, phone or text).
Please note: Step 4 may take up to two weeks, as our team is made up of volunteers.
Path Splits Here
Pathway 1: Suitable Match Found
- PHONE CALL: A team member will contact you to discuss the dog, outline our adoption process, and answer any questions you may have.
- MEET & GREET: All members of your household, including any resident dogs, will meet the dog in their foster home to ensure compatibility.
Please note: We do not transport dogs unmet. - DECISION TIME: Take some time to think about whether it feels like the right match.
- PROPERTY INSPECTION: If you’d like to proceed and our team also feel like it’s a perfect match, we’ll arrange a day and time to complete your property inspection.
- PAPERWORK: You’ll complete a Jotform checklist, payment and adoption contract.
- TRIAL BEGINS: Schedule a start date and commence the two-week trial period.
- ADOPTION CONFIRMATION: At the successful completion of the trial period, you’ll receive an email confirming the adoption and officially welcoming your new family member.
Pathway 2: Not the Right Match
- EMAIL NOTIFICATION: We will notify you if the dog is unavailable or not a suitable match.
- STAY CONNECTED: Keep an eye on our social media, website and TradeMe pages for future dogs you may be interested in adopting.
- CONTACT US: No need to complete another adoption application form if you find another dog that you are interested in adopting — simply email us at admin@chance4change.co.nz
Thank you for applying to adopt a rescue dog!
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
You can expect to hear from us within 0-2 weeks.
Please be patient - we are a small team of dedicated volunteers who work full-time jobs outside of the rescue.
Please be patient - we are a small team of dedicated volunteers who work full-time jobs outside of the rescue.
No - an adoption application must be submitted first.
This allows us to ensure that you meet our adoption criteria and are a suitable match on paper before arranging a meeting.
This allows us to ensure that you meet our adoption criteria and are a suitable match on paper before arranging a meeting.
No - we do not operate a shelter. All of our dogs are cared for in foster homes throughout the greater Wellington region.
Meetings are held in the foster's home, and the location will vary depending on the dog or puppy you're applying for.
Meetings are held in the foster's home, and the location will vary depending on the dog or puppy you're applying for.
Yes - however, you must have been living at the property for 2 years or more and be able to provide proof that dogs are permitted under your tenancy agreement.
- Your landlord will need to sign a Landlord Pet Consent Form.
- Your landlord must be open to a call, text, or email from our team.
- The property must have a fully fenced area so the dog can toilet and play safely.
Yes - however, many rescue dogs can struggle with long periods alone, especially while they are settling in.
We recommend options such as doggy daycare or a regular pack walker to help break up the day.
Occasionally, we do have dogs who are comfortable being left for longer periods, so patience may be required to find the right match.
We recommend options such as doggy daycare or a regular pack walker to help break up the day.
Occasionally, we do have dogs who are comfortable being left for longer periods, so patience may be required to find the right match.
If you have a holiday planned, please wait until you're back before applying to adopt.
This helps ensure a smooth transition and gives your new dog the best start in their new home.
This helps ensure a smooth transition and gives your new dog the best start in their new home.
All of our dogs and puppies are either in the process of toilet training or are fully toilet trained.
Please note that even a fully toilet trained dog may have a few accidents during the first 1-3 days in a new home while they adjust to your routine and learn where they are expected to toilet.
Please note that even a fully toilet trained dog may have a few accidents during the first 1-3 days in a new home while they adjust to your routine and learn where they are expected to toilet.
Yes. We offer a 2-week trial period so both you and your new dog have time to settle in and ensure it's the right match.
The adoption fee is $500. This includes:
- At least 1 Parvo vaccination.
- Kennel Cough vaccination.
- Desexing (spay/neuter) surgery when the dog is between 6 months and 1 year of age.
- Microchipping, registered with NZCAR.
- Council registration.
- Up to date flea and worm treatments.
- 30-42 days of free pet insurance (terms and conditions apply).
If for any reason the trial period doesn’t work out, please contact your Chance 4 Change foster manager so we can arrange to bring the dog back into foster care. If the adoption is finalized but later doesn’t work out, please contact us at admin@chance4change.co.nz.
We ask that you give us the first opportunity to take the dog back into our care.
We ask that you give us the first opportunity to take the dog back into our care.
Our preferred form of communication is email.
If you do not have an email address, please call us on 027 264 4222.
If you do not have an email address, please call us on 027 264 4222.
No - we don’t use a waiting list. We match dogs to homes based on the best fit, rather than first in line.
Keep an eye on our social media and TradeMe pages for dogs you might be interested in. If you’ve already submitted an adoption application, simply email us when you see a dog you’d like to meet.
Keep an eye on our social media and TradeMe pages for dogs you might be interested in. If you’ve already submitted an adoption application, simply email us when you see a dog you’d like to meet.
Yes - however, we don’t transport dogs unmet.
We ask that you, your family, and any existing dogs travel to Wellington for an in-person meeting.
We ask that you, your family, and any existing dogs travel to Wellington for an in-person meeting.