FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ADOPTION

  • Essentially, the application process is complete upon entering your information into our database. Typically, we have every application ready for access within a 24- to 48-hour period. We are an entirely volunteer-based organization so this time may change - but usually, we're fairly quick in getting new applicants into the active process.

  • There is no real answer to that question - at least not one measured in days or weeks. We will contact you when we have a dog who needs a Foster or Forever home whose needs align with your desires. Usually, when we have an available dog, we'll either call or email all those applicants who are suitable for that dog. Remember, our goal is to meet the dogs' needs first, matching them to the best environment. Most Westies in the WRNT program have already been through an awful lot of trauma - emotionally and often physically - and it is their needs we have to consider first.

  • WRNT maintains a file of information on prospective adopters within the Dallas Fort Worth area of Texas and on what Westies they may be willing to consider.

    The first step of the process is to complete the adoption application form which is available here on our website.

    The application must be completed by the person who will be adopting the dog and is legally responsible for it.

    Your application will be reviewed once you complete and submit it, if this is tentatively accepted by the Board of Directors the next step is initiated.

    A WRNT Director conducts a vet check (if you have a vet reference listed on the application).

    A WRNT Director will conduct a home visit, this allows us to get to know you and the other members of your household so we can assess which personality dog will be a good match for you. It also allows us to decide if we feel you are a good candidate for adoption and that your home is a safe environment for one of our dogs.

    If all of the above passes, a meet-n-greet is scheduled for the rescue and the family to ensure it is a perfect match. If we all feel it is a successful match then the adoption can be scheduled.

    If it is not a successful match, your application will be kept on file for up to 6 months and reviewed as new dogs come into the program.

    If you have submitted your application and you have not heard back from us then it is most likely that we feel we do not have a dog that will match you at this time or that your application has not been accepted by the board of directors.

    Please visit our Adoption page for online applications.

  • Once you have your new fur kid home that is not the end of your relationship with W.R.N.T. We will allow you to settle in for a day or two and then we will contact you to see how everyone is settling in and to answer any queries/questions you may have. We do like to stay in contact with you on a long-term basis to make sure it is all working out ok and also there is nothing more fulfilling for us to watch one of our foster dogs bloom into a wonderful Westie. Our foster parents like to keep in touch with the families that adopt their dogs and we will also send you our monthly newsletter and details of any events that we feel you would like to attend. We invite all our past adopters to our annual events such as the ice cream social and Westie walk.

    We will always be just a click or a call away. We like to think that you adopt the dog and WRNT.

  • The minimum fee for most adoptions facilitated by WRNT is as follows:

    Under 1 year: $600 each

    1 year - 8 years: $500 each

    9 years and over: $350 each

    In 80% of our adoptions, this amount is far less than we spend to rehabilitate and return them to health. Any amount you wish to donate over the minimum request is very much appreciated, and is eligible for favorable tax treatment as WRNT is a registered 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization.

    **There are always exceptions and each adoption fee will be decided on a case-by-case basis. The fee will be confirmed at the meet and greet.

  • We strive to place every rescue Westie in his or her "forever home" and this is the reason we do the home visits and meet and greets, but things don't always work out as planned. If, at any time, you decide your adopted Westie is not going to fit in with your family, lifestyle, or other pets, we will take him back. In fact, when you complete an Adoption Agreement you must agree if you ever decide to give up your Westie, to return them to Westie Rescue of North Texas.

    We want you to love your Westie as much as he's going to love you, so if it doesn't work out, just let us know!

BEHAVIORAL

  • No, Just because the dog is housebroken here doesn't mean you won't have a problem at your home. All dogs need to be supervised as they first enter your home. They need to be shown which door is the correct one for the outside potty and if they've never used a doggy door before, how to use one. We also recommend that a male put a belly band or diaper on him for the first day, to prevent the marking of his new territory. That way all his marking are in something that can be disposed of as opposed to your walls and furniture. This way you can also correct him when you see him raise his leg.

  • WRNT maintains a list of good homes - Forever Parents who are eager to love and care for an abused or neglected Westie. It's important to note that some of the Westies that come through our program have already been through a lot of trauma. It takes a special kind of family to accept and understand what their Westie has been through. WRNT takes great care to ensure that the prospective family is aware of the difficulties they may face, and to support them in making a successful home for their new Westie.

  • WRNT provides emotional and practical support tools to help the new Forever Family care for their new Westie. Typically a self-confident, cheerful little dog, abused and neglected Westies often have special needs. WRNT will assist the new Forever Parent with referrals to appropriate health-care providers, trainers and our volunteers - we want our Forever Parents and their new Westie to be successful.

MEDICAL

  • No, when we take a Westie into our program he is given the following:-

    -All Shots Will Be Up To Date
    -Fecal Check
    -Heartworm Tested/Heartworm Pill
    -Microchipped (we will register it for you)
    -Spayed or Neutered
    -Dental Check
    -Treatment begun or completed on existing issues

    Any known medical issues identified by us will be disclosed before adoption.

    Any known behavioral issues identified by us will be disclosed before adoption.

    After adopting a Westie from us, we suggest you take him to your vet for a check-up and visit, but he won't need any vaccination shots or injections at that visit.

  • Yes, if you don't keep them on heartworm preventative. Since heartworm preventatives are safe, effective, and affordable, there is no meaningful or practical reason any dog should ever get heartworms.

  • No. Not any more than we as humans shed. All animals shed to some degree; however, since Westies don't get a winter coat, shedding is not typically a significant problem. Of course, a dog that is well-groomed and bathed regularly will shed even less!

What do I do if my Westie has itchy skin?

You are probably reading this because you are at your wit’s end with your itchy Westie. You have been to a number of vets with little if any improvements, and it has been expensive and frustrating watching your Westie suffer.

We have been asked by many folks to make a step-by-step document of itchy skin protocol-so here goes…it is LONG and there is lots of info…but please read it carefully and let us know if you have any questions. You can download the guide here. This guidance does NOT take the place of your vet’s expertise, but it may give you some additional ideas or things to try.