First step is filling out an adoption application and once received we will contact you to arrange for a phone interview and home visit. You will be working with an assigned Adoption Coordinator to help you transition through the steps so please make sure you have a list of questions. We have a few rules that can be found before you fill out an adoption form like:

• All pets in the household must be spayed or neutered
• All children in the home must be over 5 years of age
• We do not allow people to use shock collars, electronic fencing or prong collars on any of our dogs.
• All of our boxers are indoor dogs and are not meant to be left outside unattended for hours at a time. Boxers do not tolerate extreme heat or cold so please be mindful when they are outdoors with you.
• All members of your family must be present for home visits and meet and greets with the boxer you have been matched with.

We suggest taking them for a walk on neutral grounds with leash on both. Slowly bring them closer to each other and watch their body language – once you are comfortable with this step take them into your back yard. Stay calm and leave leashes on both dogs and let them sniff around and meet each other.

Once you are comfortable that the dogs are getting along then take them into the house, but we suggest again that you leave the leashes on just in case.

The dogs once vetted are placed in an album for the foster homes to see what the dog may need and if it fits into their home.
Once a potential foster fills out a foster application on our website and has had a phone interview and a home visit they are added to our foster facebook page and given a booklet that explains what is required.
Vetting is completed by Boxer Rescue Ontario and special dog food is as well for dogs with allergies – we occasionally have food donated and we distribute it to the fosters as needed.

Senior dogs can take longer to adopt out as most families looking to adopt want younger boxers, but all dogs do find their forever home.

The process is the same as far as phone interviews and home visits being completed in both types of homes.

Adoption is when you have filled out an adoption application on a particular dog that has been in a foster home and assessed. You will work with an adoption coordinator and the foster home before a meet and greet and taking your dog home that day.

Foster to adopt is when we have a dog that is at the vets that is needing a home, but no foster homes are available. We post on the website and facebook page that we are looking for a home that will foster with the intention of adopting once the two week trial period is over. These foster to adopt families fill out a FOSTER application and go through the process along with waivers as foster homes do.

• Dog bed
• Crate (if your dog needs to be crated)
• Leash and collar or the proper tool to train your dog ie. Halti, harness, martingale or gentle leader
• Food and water bowl (we suggest metal as boxers can get acne using plastic dishes)
• There has been some studies suggesting raised food stations are a good thing for boxers and remember no running for at least an hour after eating.
• Dog food – we suggest no grains and no chicken for boxers, but if you have questions be sure to speak to one of the volunteers about it and ask the foster home what your new dog was eating while in their home.
• Important is patience – this is all new to your dog so please understand they need an adjustment period to get used to your home and your rules.

Boxer Rescue Ontario has foster homes throughout Ontario and after your dog has been vetted he/she will be sent into a foster home or a foster to adopt home which have also went through a phone interview and home visit themselves.