Adopt or Foster a Blue Waters Dog
Thank you for your interest in a Blue Waters Dog Rescue dog! One application covers both fostering and adopting.
All of our adoptable dogs are listed on Petfinder, with photos and details.
Our Dogs Are on Petfinder
Browse current adoptable dogs on Petfinder, then apply here when you find a match. Visits are by appointment.
Before You Apply
In order to foster or adopt from Blue Waters Dog Rescue, you must:
- Be 21 years of age or older.
- If you rent, have your landlord's consent to have a dog.
- Have all dogs and cats in the home spayed or neutered if they are 6 months or older, unless there are medical reasons not to.
- Have all dogs in the home up to date on vaccinations.
- Agree to a home visit by one of our volunteers. The volunteer will need to see the areas of the home where the dog will be allowed, and meet your family members and current pets.
- Let us know before bringing in another foster dog from outside our organization while you are fostering our dog.
- Contact us right away if you run into situations where you need help (housebreaking, chewing, behavior, issues with people, etc.).
- Contact us right away if you can no longer provide a home for a foster or adopted dog.
How the Process Works
Apply
Submit the Foster-Adoption Application online.
Review & references
Our application coordinator reviews your application and speaks with your references. Please allow several days.
Home visit
Once your application is approved, we schedule a home visit.
Two-week home trial
Your new dog comes home for a two-week trial to make sure it's a good fit.
Welcome home
The adoption is finalized after a successful trial.
Want to meet our dogs first? Visits are by appointment only because our dogs live at multiple locations. Call or text 833-297-3647 to set up a time.
Our dogs are cared for 24/7 by dedicated staff and volunteers — thank you for your patience.
What Is the Two-Week In-Home Trial?
Our adoption process is centered on finding quality matches for the dogs in our program. Along with your application and an interview with a member of our team, we use a two-week home trial to make sure your lifestyle and the dog are a good fit.
Why two weeks? Two weeks is roughly the time it takes for a dog to adjust to a new environment. A two-week home trial is completed before any adoption is finalized.
How We Care for Our Dogs
Every dog in our program has passed behavioral assessments and temperament evaluations. We spend a lot of time with our dogs before making them available for adoption. When a dog is surrendered by an owner, we gather as much history as we can, down to food allergies and past behavior issues.
Our dogs are cared for 24/7 by a mix of dedicated staffing and volunteers. Each dog has a dedicated handler — often a resident of our partner, Blue Waters Recovery Foundation — who they live with in that partner's recovery homes. Veterinary care is provided through our partnership with Coral Ridge Animal Hospital (954-958-9582), under the oversight of founder Tiffany Skuraton.
Every dog receives:
- A safe space and time to decompress
- Routine veterinary care
- Monthly heartworm prevention
- Basic obedience training, plus behavior modification when needed
- At least 14 days of observation in a home-like setting, with lots of love
- Spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, and a microchip
Adoption FAQ
How much are adoption fees?
Adoption fees are typically between $200 and $400.
Can I stop by anytime to meet the dogs?
No. Visits are by appointment because our dogs live at multiple locations. Please call or text 833-297-3647 first.
Where do your dogs come from?
We rescue and rehabilitate abandoned and surrendered dogs from South Florida, where the need for rescue far outweighs the area's current capacity.
Why adopt from a rescue instead of a shelter?
Our dogs live with foster caregivers, so we know a lot about each dog's personality and needs. What you see is what you get. Rescue dogs are usually spayed or neutered and vaccinated, and they come with their medical records. The process takes a bit longer than at a shelter, and that helps make sure you go home with the right companion. After adoption, you'll have people to turn to with questions (and to send photos to!).
Do you offer training after adoption?
Not at this time. We hope to offer a training session at adoption again soon. Our volunteers can still advise on common behavior questions, and we can refer you to trainers we trust.
Why is heartworm prevention so important?
Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes and live in a dog's heart and the large blood vessels of the lungs. Left untreated, they can be fatal, and treatment is expensive. The good news: heartworm disease is almost 100% preventable with a monthly preventative.
How else can I help?
Adopt. If you can't adopt, foster. If you can't foster, volunteer. If you can't volunteer, donate. If you can't donate, spread the word. To volunteer, email info@bwrdogs.org.
Apply to Adopt or Foster
One application covers both fostering and adopting. Please answer every question completely and honestly. If a question does not apply, type “N/A”.
The application opens in a new tab. Questions about applying? Email info@bwrdogs.org or call or text 833-297-3647.
Not Ready to Adopt?
You can still make a difference today. Donate, volunteer, or share our dogs with your friends and family.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
