FAQ's

Note from Rescue Directors regarding behavior-related returns of adopted dogs:

Our staff, including our adoption coordinators and behavior team, work tirelessly to carefully match dogs with their adoptive families.  As part of our commitment to our animals, we do assist in re-homing some of the dogs adopted from our program that are not working out with their adoptive families. Fortunately, our return rate is less than 4%, which is an incredibly low rate compared to the thousands of positive matches made each year. Even though that number is small, it happens, and our experience in bringing dogs back to Texas or rehoming them while they are still in-place with their adoptive family has led to the following policies and procedures regarding dogs that have bitten a human or responsible for killing or inflicting severe injury on an animal while in their adoptive home. 

This is effective as of September 2024:

Due to insurance restrictions we cannot accept back any dog that is responsible for inflicting severe injury on a human being or animal, on public or private property. It is crucial for us to ensure the safety of both humans and animals. In cases where a dog adopted from our program has bitten a person and is deemed unsafe for re-adoption, and if you are unable to keep your adopted dog, we recommend a discussion of humane euthanasia with your private veterinarian under the care of the adoptive family. This approach allows for a peaceful passing in a familiar environment, rather than subjecting the animal to the stress of transportation thousands of miles, cross country, surrounded with people they do not know. 

As we process adoption return requests, we reserve the right to determine which animals can be accepted back into the program for re-adoption and which should remain with their adoptive families for them to decide. 

Generally, dogs adopted within the last six months can be returned without issue, as we still have familiarity with those animals. For dogs adopted longer than six months prior, each situation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, as our understanding of the dog may have changed significantly over time. 

Policy of Puppy Adoption and Behavior Responsibility

When a puppy is adopted, it is raised within the adoptive family’s environment. As such, Three Little Pitties Rescue cannot assess the puppy's behavior post-adoption, as we have no knowledge of the individual circumstances or training provided by the new family. We believe that any behavioral issues arising after adoption are the responsibility of the owners. These returns will be considered and evaluated as non-behavior-related issues. 

To support families in creating a harmonious relationship with their adopted pets, we are committed to providing resources and guidance. Our goal is to help families make informed decisions and keep their loved ones together. We offer resources to adopters and advise that the best resource is probably a certified behaviorist in your area. We have an Adopter Facebook group where adopters share referrals as well. 

Thank you for your understanding as we work to ensure the best outcomes for both animals and adoptive families.

If after reviewing our adoption return FAQ's and you feel that Three Little Pitties Rescue is able to accept your adoption return please email intake@threelittlepittiesrescue.org

Adoption Fees

Why Does the Rescue Have These Adoption Fees?

Our adoption fees reflect the extensive care and resources that go into each animal we save. The adoption fee is a donation to the mission and goes far beyond getting a fully vetted pet. 

The rescue’s hard costs alone for a healthy dog to go through our program typically range between $412 to $859, which includes boarding, food, medications, vaccines, and spay/neuter. For heartworm-positive dogs, hard costs are upwards of $1,120. Additionally, dogs requiring extended boarding, extra training, or extra medical care—such as dental work, vision care, or orthopedic care—can lead to expenses running into the thousands. We pride ourselves in having many programs most of our dogs go through, including board and train, leash training, individualized training, socialization and playgroups to ensure we know them very well, we set them up for success, and we communicate all known information to adopters to ensure a good adoption match. An additional $200 of the fee helps with transport up to the Pacific Northwest or East Coast. 

Every adopted dog comes with a lifetime registered microchip, a martingale collar, and a one-year supply of heartworm prevention (adult dogs six plus months) —items that would cost adopters several hundred dollars if purchased separately. 

While adoption fees vary, they help cover part of these expenses, and are a donation that helps offset the cost of higher need animals and our community outreach efforts. We want to emphasize that Three Little Pitties Rescue is not government funded; we pay for everything out of pocket using grants and private donations. Our goal is always to save as many lives as possible, regardless of the individual cost. Our commitment to rescuing them remains unwavering.  We are also dedicated to improving the  lives of Houston community animals in underserved areas with free vaccines, flea prevention, spay, and neuter.

By adopting through Three Little Pitties Rescue, you’re not just gaining a new companion—you’re supporting a mission dedicated to saving lives.Â