"Until there are none, adopt just one"
Adopt a Friend
HCW primarily takes dogs from middle Tennessee; occasionally from surrounding states. Although focusing on the central Tennessee community, today's high-tech and internet environment offers us the ability to reach out globally to raise awareness and educate the public to help strengthen the people-animal bond. Today, HCW dogs are with forever families in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Texas, New York and Colorado.
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Many of our dogs come from family after the owner died, shelters and other rescues, abandoned and/or injured, and veterinarians. Some of our dogs come from elderly and/or ill people that have nowhere else to turn and want to know their dogs will be safe after they are gone. We take dogs no one else will take and the ones who don't make it to the shelter adoption floor. Veterinarians contact us about special dogs that have nowhere else to go; and shelters from the local and surrounding community call HCW when they have special needs, seniors or dogs that they cannot put up for adoption.
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​Each animal is examined, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, tested for heartworms, de-wormed and receives appropriate medical treatment prior to being offered for adoption. In the rare instance that we place a puppy that is too young for this surgery, we will charge a refundable deposit and monitor the puppy to make sure it is altered as soon as it old enough. At that time, we will return the deposit to the owner. After nurturing, socializing, exercising, and providing love and nutrition, we will carefully screen each potential adoptive family, making the best match possible based on the pet's needs.
​Prospective adoptive families will be required to complete an adoption application and adoption contract. We will show pets by appointment, and be as flexible as possible with appointments. Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue and Sanctuary is pleased to work with out of state adopters, but prospective adoptive families must come and meet with us and pick up their new family member. A veterinarian reference is required. The safety and comfort of our dogs is essential. Therefore, to protect the pets, we will not adopt to a home that uses tie-outs or electric shock collars (underground and/or invisible fencing). Under no circumstances will we ship pets.
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In an effort to do our part to reduce the number of unwanted animals, we will not place intact animals. We will spay/neuter all animals as soon as possible. In the rare instance that we place a puppy that is too young for this surgery, we will charge a refundable deposit and monitor the puppy to make sure it is altered as soon as it old enough. At that time, we will return the deposit to the owner.
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Our adoption fees normally vary from $150 to $400, based upon the vet costs. Although they do not cover the costs, it helps. Most of our small breed mixes are $150.
Location and Hours
We are located in central Tennessee, about 40 miles south of Nashville. We don't have set hours, we show the dogs by appointment.
Adoption Process
You can review our pets by clicking on the Petfinder.com and/or Facebook links at the top of this site. When you find a pet you're interested in, complete and submit the adoption application. It should not take you more than 5 minutes to fill it out. Please note that if you leave information off your application, it will slow down the process. Normally applications take about 24 hours to process, depending on availability of your vet - it takes longer on weekends and holidays. You should contact your vet to give them permission to talk to us. Failure to do that is the most common reason for delays in processing.
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Once your application is approved we will contact you to set up an appointment for a home visit and for you to meet the dog(s). In general, this visit takes about 2 hours – we do not rush and it is a good opportunity for you to spend time with the dog(s). If all goes well, we will leave them with you for a two week trial period. We will hold your adoption fee for that period and we also provide all meds and food the dog will need during that time. Of course, if you make your decision before the 2 weeks are up, that is just fine, too. If you decide not to keep the dog, your adoption fee will be returned, as long as your decision is made in that 2 week period. After the two weeks, you must return the dog to us if you cannot keep it, but your fee is not returned. You will sign a contract to this effect.
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Once the adoption is final, your vet may contact our vet and request all vet records for that dog. You will receive rabies certificates, etc. when we bring the dog to meet you.
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If you live too far away for us to perform the home visit, we will handle the adoption on a case-by-case basis. We do lots of out of state adoptions. You must be willing to come pick up the dog, though. We never ever ship or transport our dogs, and if they are flying home it must be in the cabin. No exceptions.
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After the adoption, we love to stay in touch. Send photos, brag, ask questions. We are here for the long haul.
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Complete the Adoption Application. Please complete all items on the application; incomplete applications will slow the process. All applications are reviewed by our Animal Care Manager (ACM). She will contact you as soon as she receives the application to begin the process. Our goal is to make the best "forever home" match possible based upon the pet's needs. Our ACM is also responsible for veterinarian and home checks, and can answer any questions regarding the pet or adoptions. You can make an appointment with her to meet the pet.
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An Adoption Contract with HCW will require your signature prior to completing the adoption of your new family member.
