Adoption Information

Thank you for your interest in adopting a Pug from Michigan Pug Rescue, "Pug Luv"

The decision to get a pet should always be a family decision, not just one made by the kids or mom and dad.  Everyone is going to play a part in raising and caring for this new family member .  Like a child, a pet is a lifetime commitment that must be cared for during its entire life.  Changes in the Pugs health, your living circumstances or family situations do not make your Pug a disposable possession.  Please consider this before making the decision to adopt.  READ the information on each Pug's profile under the Browse Available Pugs tab carefully.

We recommend you not wait until you see a Pug that you would like to adopt before you begin the adoption process.  When a Pug enters the program, approved applicants are notified when the Pug has been cleared medically to be adopted.  At that time, an approved applicants will have the opportunity to schedule a one on one interview.    In those cases, if you now begin the adoption process it will already be to late.

We are a foster home based organization.  We do not have a brick and mortar facility to come to and visit the Pugs.  When a Pug has been cleared by all of the "Pug Luv" Veterinarians, applicants that have an approved Adoption Application are notified by e-mail that the Pug is available.  Individual interviews are scheduled for those families that respond to the e-mail.  Interviews are held on an individual basis to maintain the safety of the applicants as well as the volunteers of the organization.  Every effort is made to accomodate each family's request for a date and time.  Once the Adoption Committee makes a decision as to which family the Adoption Committee believes will meet the needs of the Pug and which home we believe is best suited to adopt the Pug, a home visit is scheduled.  Once the home visit is approved the adoption is then scheduled.

Every effort is made to place each Pug in a home where we believe the Pug will fit the lifestyle of the family and the family will fulfill the needs of each Pug.  Each Pug is adopted based on a completed and approved application, a review of 5 years of complete Veterinary records (this includes the doctor's notes) of all current and past pets living in the home during the past 5 years, the interaction of all family members including current dogs with the Pug to be adopted and a home visit by a volunteer of Pug Luv. 

As is stated on page 11 of the Adoption packet, Michigan Pug Rescue reserves the right to make all decisions regarding the placement of each Pug in our care and will not disclose the reason a family is not approved.

Each Pug that enters the rescue is throughly examined by a Veterinarian spay/neutered, vaccinated for Rabies, DHPP, Lepto, Bordetella and Flu vaccines, heartworm, fecal and blood tested, microchipped, had a dental procedure including cleaning of their teeth and any needed extractions (where indicated), started on heartworm preventative and any other procedures the Vetrinarian deems necesary for the health and well being of the Pug.  Minimum adoption donations are $150 - $500 and are not negotiable and are not tax deductible.  Please understand this donation, in most cases, does not cover the costs associated with the medical care of each Pug, especially the senior Pugs who generally require more initial medical treatment.  Additional donations are appreciated to help cover these costs and are tax deductible.  All information available, both medically and with regard to the previous history of each Pug is disclosed to the best of our knowledge.  Often times a Pug enters the program through circumstances that do not afford the rescue to be aware of previous care or treatment.  We therefore cannot guarantee the health or age of our rescued Pugs beyond that which we have documentation of or have provided the care for.

The average life span of a Pug is 14 -17 years.  Senior or special needs Pugs make a wonderful companion and in many instances the only thing they want is to sit on your lap, cuddle and be loved.  Pugs are full time indoor dogs and cannot be expected to remain outdoors for extended periods of time especially in warmer temperatures.  We suggest you research the breed to be familiar wih the daily care and needs of a Pug.

All decisions on placing dogs in adoptive homes are based solely on the judgment of the volunteers and coordinators of "Pug Luv". We do not guarantee any pug to any adopter.  We do not operate on a first come, first serve basis.  We do not provide information as to why an application is denied. 

Qualifications for Adoption

1.  Must be 21 years of age
2.  All pets in the home must be altered unless a medical reason is provided by a Veterinarian and verified with the MPR Veterinarian
3.  An Adoption Application, nonrefundable application fee, complete Veterinary records for a minimum of 5 years of all pets living in the home during the past 5 years, attendance at a MPR event by all members of the family including current dogs to interact with the Pugs and a committment to adopt the Pug, a home visit conducted by a MPR volunteer, a signed adoption contract and  minimum adoption donation not refundable after 72 hours and only if it is found that the information about the medical condition of the Pug was misrepresented .
4.  A copy of the lease agreement stating a pet is allowed in the home if the adopter is living in a rental property.
5.  All applicants must have their pets up to date on Rabies, DHLLP vaccinations to the standards as set forth by Pug Luv, heartworm testing and preventative.
6.  All adopters must be willing to feed their Pug a high quality food as per Pug Luv guidelines.
7.  Applications are generally responded to within 3 - 5 business days of receipt of the application.  Those applications that are incomplete as a result of incomplete Veterinary records or questions that are unanswered or incomplete will be held for a period of 2 weeks after which time they are discarded.
8.  Approved applications are retained for a period of 6 months after which they are discarded if the applicant does not committ to adopt one of the available Pugs.
9.  Adopters including their family and current dogs must be willing to attend a private interview session with the Pug.  Once the family is selected to adopt the Pug the entire family must return once the home visit is approved.
10.  The adopters and their family including current dogs must be willing to come to a designated place by Pug Luv for the adoption and sign a legal contract for the adoption of the Pug and be willing to adhere to the terms of such contract.  Pug Luv will not allow a Pug to be transported via air unless proof that the Pug is flying in the passenger compartment of an airplane is provided when being transported home, (no cargo transports are permitted) if an out of state adoption is being performed.
11.  Previous adopters that have not moved and have maintained their contact information with the rescue may adopt again after providing Veterinary records for their pets since the date of the previous adoption without completing a new adoption application.
12.  Applicants that do not comply with any or all of the above conditions may be denied. 

Browse Adoptable Pugs

Click here to view 

Adoption/Foster Application Packet:

"PugLuv" Adoption Packet - click to download


The application process will go very smoothly if you take the time to answer every question.  Each question has a purpose and if they are not answered or answered inadequately it results in the application approval process being delayed.  An attempt is made to review each application within 3 - 5 business days.

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 Adoption Application Instructions:

All forms must be downloaded and submitted by United States mail in order for you to be considered for adoption of one of our Pugs. The rescue does not accept "postage due" mail. An application normally requires 2 first class stamps. If you choose to send your application via Express mail, Fed Ex, UPS, etc, we would appreciate the funds that would have been used to pay the additional costs, be donated to the rescue.  If you still choose to send your application via Express mail,
Fed Ex, UPS, etc,be sure to check the waiver box, otherwise the letter is delayed as it must be retrieved from the Post Office or terminal at a time a volunteer is available.  Applications must be completed in their entirety.

Unlike some rescue organizations we do not charge to mail you an application, we only ask that you place two (2) first class stamps on the envelope which is being returned to you so that the rescue does not incur that cost. We will promptly return an adoption application packet to you which will include the adoption application, 2 Veterinary release forms and a check list. This will begin the adoption process.

The adoption donation for our Pugs ranges from $200 to $600 depending on the age and health status of the Pug.  Senior Pugs  generally cost less to adopt, but the veterinary costs are considerably more expensive to the organization. 

The adoption donation includes Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella and Flu vaccines. Each Pug is spayed or neutered, heartworm, fecal and blood tested.  Each Pug has been placed on preventative heartworm medication, micro-chipped, their teeth are cleaned when deemed necessary by the Veterinarian and treated for any and all other issues that may be present when examined by our Veterinarian,

 Our volunteers do their best to review each application within 3 to 5 days after receiving the application. Everyone at "Pug Luv"a is a volunteer. We wear many hats - we foster pugs, travel to vet appointments, attend fundraising events, process a lot of paperwork, have our own families and personal pets to care for as well as emplpoyment requirements and more. We make every effort to respond to inquiries in a timely manner but often the days get away from us  We encourage applicants to contact their Veterinarian and ask that the complete veterinary records (which includes the doctors notes) be mailed to the rescue.  Only upon receipt of the vet records and application can the adoption process proceed.

Please mail the completed application with the $10.00 processing fee (in US funds)(there is no fee for Foster Applicants) to the address listed below. 

                                  Michigan Pug Rescue
                                Application Processing
                                   23927 Wesley Dr.
                               Farmington, MI 48335
                                  
Applications must be completed in their entirety.  Adoption Applications received without the $10 (US funds) application fee will not be considered and will be destroyed.  The $10 application fee covers the cost of postage, envelopes and stationary for correspondence with regard to your application. We respond to each application in writing as quickly as possible.  A tentative approval with regards to your eligibility to adopt one of our Pugs will be made once we receive answers to any correspondence we have with you, your complete Veterinary records (including doctor's notes) from all Veterinarians your pets have seen in the past five years are received.

The availability of any of our Pugs is based on approved applications. Although a Pug may appear on our web site at this time, there may be applicants with approved applications that are being contacted to ascertain their interest in adopting the available Pug, or other applicants that are also applying for that Pug.  If you are truly interested in adopting a Pug and you wait until you see a Pug that is of interest to you, there may be several people ahead of you on a waiting list that have already submitted an application and have been tentatively approved for adoption. We therefore strongly suggest you complete an application for adoption so you may be added to our waiting list and you will automatically receive an e-mail notification once your application and Veterinary records have been tentatively approved. We receive Pugs from individuals, families, shelters, animal control and other sources. We may not have the Pug that is of interest to you today but may rescue 5 Pugs tomorrow. Do not hesitate; apply to adopt your Pug today.

Please mail your application to:

Michigan Pug Rescue
Application Processing
23927 Wesley Dr.
Farmington, MI 48335

 

If you are unable to download an application packet, you may obtain one by sending a self addressed #10 size business envelope with your return address on it and 2 first class stamps on it to;

                                     Michigan Pug Rescue
                                        23927 Wesley Dr.
                                    Farmington, MI 48335

Upon receipt of the envelope with the postage affixed we will send you the application packet.

 

ALL FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED FOR CONSIDERATION

Michigan Pug Rescue, "Pug Luv" reserves the right to deny any applicant based on the content of the applicant's application, review of the applicant's veterinary records and/or the results of the applicants home visit without the obligation to disclose to the applicant the reason for said denial.
 

Frequently Asked Questions about Adoptions

 

Q:   Can I come see the Pugs before I complete my application?

A:   We do not have a brick and mortar building where the Pugs are housed.  Each of our PUGS are in a foster home, generally with other Pugs where they are evaluated to determine the best type of home that they
should be placed in.

We respect the privacy of our foster homes and do not allow prospective adopters to visit their homes.
    

Q:  Can I come to an event, bring my application and adopt a Pug at that event?

Q:   Can I take the Pug I want to adopt home for a trial basis?

Q:  Can I foster a Pug and if it works out adopt that Pug?

A:  If you wish to become a foster family, the Pug that is being fostered cannot be adopted by the foster family for a minimum of six months.  A foster family can adopt a Pug that they are not fostering.

Q:   How long does the application process take?

A:   The process is shortened by the effort you place in completing your application.

Answering all questions and answering them completely results in MPR being able to make a decision on your application without the need to request clarification of your answers.  Consistent communication with your Veterinarian (by telephone) to be sure the complete records are sent as promptly as possible.  
 

Q:    When will I know the status of my application?

A:    You will be notified in writing by mail if we have further questions about your application. We will also let you know by mail whether your application has been approved or denied.  We attempt to process all applications within a week and issue a response.  There are times when the process may take longer if the Adoption Committee is engaged in events.
 

Q:  What is the process once my application is approved?

A:  Once the Adoption Committee approves the application and Veterinary Records, an e-mail and letter is sent to the applicant informing them of the approval.  The next step in the process is for the entire family including any current dogs to attend an interview for the Pug they wish to adopt.  Approved adopters will receive an e-mail as to when interviews are being held.    

Q:    Does the Pug I plan to adopt come when the home visit is conducted?

A:   No, the volunteer that conducts the home visit is not necessarily the person who is fostering the Pug. 

Q:    What happens if the pug I was applying for has already been adopted?

A:    If approved, you will be able to commit to adopt any Pug that does not have an adoption pending or be placed on our waiting list. When a Pug enters the program you will receive an e-mail.

 Q:    How much are the adoption fees?

A:   The adoption fees range from $200-600.

Q:  Why is the cost to adopt so much?

A:  Every Pug that comes into the rescue is examined by our Veterinarian.  Rabies, Distemper, Corona and Bordetella vaccines are brought up to date  where necessary.  Pugs that have not been spayed or neutered are.  If it is determined by the vet that dental services are required they are performed. Each Pug has a blood test.  Fecal test for worms and heartworm testing is done.  Every Pug that has not been micro-chipped previously, is.  Any other medical issues such as removal of tumors, biopsies, treatment of ear infections etc are also treated.   Although some of the Pugs that come into the rescue do not need all of the treatments described above, there are others that require extensive treatment.  If you have ever owned an animal you are certainly aware of the costs associated with these services.  In order for the rescue to continue the work we do, our adoption donations and fund raising efforts must cover these costs. Ongoing and careful analysis of these costs are done to keep the adoption donations as low as possible while providing the care each Pug needs.

 A:  As part of our adoption process a home visit is conducted.  As long as we are able to arrange to have a home visit done and all other requirements are met, including the family and current dogs coming to meet the Pug prior to the home visit being conducted and return to adopt the Pug once the home visit has beenn approved we will adopt out of Michigan or to Canada.

Q:  Are all of the Pugs that are available for adoption at each interview?

 A:  The only Pug that will be at interview will be the Pug the interview was set for.

Q: What happens if for some reason I am no longer able to keep my Pug?