PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU COMPLETE AN APPLICATION! 

If you meet the requirements listed below and are interested in adopting, please complete our adoption form here.

  • Tails of Hope is not a facility or shelter.  Our rescued dogs are placed in foster homes until they are adopted.
  • We do not let anyone visit our dogs in our private foster homes without an approved application first.
  • It generally takes one to two weeks to fully process a submitted application to include a home visit.  The volunteer who will be processing your application will contact you by email.  Please email that volunteer at any time if you have questions or concerns. Please be patient during this process, as we are all volunteers.
  • You must be at least 25 years of age to be considered for adoption, and you must be the primary homeowner or property leasee of the address on your application.
  • No dog will be adopted to a home with unaltered pets. Tails of Hope promotes healthy, safe and responsible pet guardianship.  We focus on educating the public about the need for spaying and neutering pets. One of the key values which Tails of Hope operates is that all animals in the household must be spayed or neutered before we can adopt to that family. This is in accordance with our mission to stop the breeding and disposal of the unwanted pets and the overpopulation of pets being euthanized in shelters.
  • Because many of our dogs were saved from lives of neglect, applicants must be able to provide a midday break for dogs if they are to be home alone more than 8 hours a day. This number might be less for puppies, seniors, or dogs with special needs.
  • We cannot adopt animals outside our geographic area of Baltimore/Southern PA. Please email info@tails-of-hope.org if yous have questions about a specific location.
  • The use Doggie Doors will not be approved. Use of these doors leaves your dog unattended and unsupervised and risks the danger of being stolen, injury and escape.
  • NO TIE OUTS or tethering of dogs outdoors is acceptable. If there is no fencing, the owner must be able to walk the dog on a leash at least 5-6 times a day for exercise and for the dog to relieve itself.
  • ***Invisible Fences will not be approved for any dogs.  We NEVER adopt to homes with Invisible or Electric Fences.
    • We NEVER adopt to homes that use shock collars. Shock collars can malfunction because of failing batteries or a fault in the transmitter. An animal can suffer from first, second, and even third degree burns if wearing a defective shock collar.
    • Physical Trauma:  Shock collars can reach levels of 7,500 volts. This voltage level can elevate an animal's heart rate and actually cause physical injuries.
    • Emotional Trauma: An animal's personality may change from the use of a shock collar. For example, an animal that once had a stable temperament may become more aggressive.
    • NO application will be considered for a dog where there are children AND no fencing. We will consider homes with adults and no fencing, depending on the dog. No dog is to be tethered outside or have use of a doghouse. We adopt companion dogs to be members of the family - not "outside dogs"
    • Small dogs are not typically good with young children and are considered on an individual basis.
    • NO puppies or small dogs will be placed in homes with toddlers.
    • If you adopt a dog elsewhere, please let us know as soon as possible.

 Our Adoption fees:

The fee includes spay/neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming, and heartworm testing for dogs over 6 months of age.