Process & Application

Adoption

We take our time with the adoption process to ensure that our bulldogs never have to go to another home.

Before You Apply

A few things to know so the process moves smoothly for everyone.

Serving Indiana, Kentucky, and western Ohio.

We have approved volunteers in these areas who are able to support our adoption process, so these are the only areas where we are able to consider adoptions at this time.

Current pets must be up to date on vet care.

All current pets need to be altered and current on vaccinations unless a medical exemption has been granted.

Children under 8? Allow for extra time.

Each foster dog is evaluated individually for their comfort with young children. We don’t make exceptions to our placement recommendations — this protects both the bulldog and your family.

Know what you’re getting into.

Bulldogs need specialized care for life. Read our About Bulldogs page with your whole family before applying. Ensure that all of you are committed to the unique care that a bulldog requires for his/her entire life.

How Adoption Works

Step 1. Apply

If you are still interested in adopting after reading the About Bulldogs page and the info above, fill out the adoption application. Even if you have questions about our dogs, the fastest way to begin the process is to submit your completed application.

Step 2. Application review

Our adoption team will review your application and, if they feel like you might be a good match for one of our dogs, they will reach out to you to schedule a phone interview.

If our team does not feel that any of our available bulldogs meet your wants and needs, don’t worry. We keep your application for 6 months. We are in no rush. We work hard to find the perfect home for our fosters.

Step 3. References

If your application is moved forward in the process, our adoption team will contact your veterinarian and personal references.

Step 4. Meet and greet

If things progress appropriately, we will set up a meet and greet with the bulldog that our adoption team feels best suits you. The matching process can take a while because we are focused on finding the right dog for the right family.

Step 5. Home visit

Once we feel like we might have a good match, one of our volunteers will complete a home visit.

Step 6. Trial adoption

If the home visit goes well, we’ll schedule a date to begin a 1-week trial adoption. During this period, you can see how the bulldog fits your routine. Once that week is over, the adoption may be finalized, or the dog can be returned to us with no hard feelings.

Step 7. Adoption fee

Before finalizing the adoption, you will need to pay the adoption fee. Adoption fees are based on the dog’s age.

0 to 1 year$1,000
1 to 2 years$700
3 to 4 years$600
5 to 6 years$500
7 to 9 years$400
10 years or older$200

Indiana Bulldog Rescue is an entirely volunteer-run organization, so all adoption fees go directly to covering expenses related to the care of our foster dogs. Bulldogs are expensive, and we invest far more in their care than we take in from adoption fees. You can pay an adoption fee by clicking “Donate Here” below. Please reference the name of the dog you’re adopting in the Purpose field.

Apply Now

Please click below to fill out the adoption application.

Adoption Application