Your Questions, Answered
Thinking about adopting, fostering, or helping out? Here's what people ask us most. If you don't see your question, we're happy to help.
Adopting from Blue Waters
Why should I adopt from a rescue instead of my local animal shelter?
Shelters do important work, but they have limited space and animals often move through quickly, so staff may not know much about each one's history or personality.
At a rescue like ours, dogs live with foster caregivers in a home setting, so we get to know them well. That means more information about the dog you're interested in, and what you see is what you get.
Rescue dogs are usually healthy, spayed or neutered, and fully vaccinated, and if anything is still needed, there's a full record of it. Our adoption process is more involved than a shelter's, and that's a good thing: it helps make sure you go home with the right companion and that your home is ready to welcome them.
We don't currently offer a training session at adoption (we hope to again soon), but afterward you'll always have someone to turn to with questions (and someone just as excited as you to send photos to!).
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 only, because our dogs live at multiple locations. Please call or text 833-297-3647 first to set up a time.
All of our adoptable dogs are listed on Petfinder, with photos and details.
Our Dogs and Their Care
Where do your dogs come from?
Blue Waters is centered on the rescue and rehabilitation of abandoned and surrendered dogs from South Florida, where the need for dog rescue far outweighs the area's current capacity.
What kind of care do dogs receive before they're adopted?
Every dog in our program has passed behavioral assessments and temperament evaluations, and 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). All of this happens under the oversight of Tiffany Skuraton, our founder.
Every dog has:
- Been given a safe space and time to decompress
- Received routine veterinary care
- Been kept on monthly heartworm preventative
- Had basic obedience training, plus behavior modification when needed
- Been observed for at least 14 days in a home-like setting, with lots of love
- Been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped
Why is heartworm prevention so important? How are heartworms spread?
Heartworms are common in dogs throughout the United States (cats can get them, too), and they're among the most damaging parasites a dog can have. They're spread by mosquitoes that have bitten an infected animal. Once mature, heartworms live in the heart and the large blood vessels of the lungs, and left untreated, they can be fatal.
If a dog does get heartworms, treatment is expensive. The good news: heartworm disease is almost 100% preventable with a monthly preventative. That's all it takes to protect your pet.
Getting Involved
How can I get involved?
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: like, comment on, and share our posts.
To volunteer, email us at info@bwrdogs.org or visit our Volunteer page.
Still Have Questions?
We're happy to help. Email us at info@bwrdogs.org or call or text 833-297-3647.