Adoption Application

 Adopting a pet is a SERIOUS COMMITMENT: We strongly encourage anyone thinking about adding a furry member to their family to do their research and to be ready for this commitment. Take a moment to read through this helpful Adopting a Pet page. The SPCA of TN will be happy to work with you in finding out what kind of pet is best for you. If you want to have a pet please make sure you can make a 10-20 year commitment to your pet. If you are not sure about adopting at this time, you can consider fostering for us. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at spcaoftn@gmail.com

• IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT OF THE SPCA OF TN: THE DOG OR CAT MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SPCA OF TN AND NOT GIVEN AWAY OR TURNED IN TO ANOTHER SHELTER. 

The SPCA of TN adoption fees range depending on type of animal, the originating shelter and the vetting the animal has received. Our adoption fees are set to allow us to cover our expenses as well as to help other animals in our program that require additional care. Our fees cover vetting costs, shelter fees, boarding (if needed), behavioral training and additional medical care if the animal require it. By adopting from the SPCA of TN you are not saving just one life, you are helping to save others as well.

1. Visit the animals available for adoption to find the one(s) who might be right for you on line to www.spcatn.org
2. Fill out an adoption application (at the top of this page) that tells us about yourself and your household so we can facilitate the match-making process.
3. Talk to a staff member to learn more about your prospective companion and to determine if the pet you are choosing is truly right for you.
4. Decide whether or not to adopt.
5. Go through the adoption materials with the Adoption Coordinator. You will receive information about your animal’s vaccination history, as well as other information that will help you once you get your new companion home.
6. There is a Contract to finalize the adoption process (at the top of this page)
7. A home visit is require to make sure your future companion will be a good fit for you and your family.

Why do I love older dogs? Why NOT? Older dogs, first of all, are some of those in most urgent need of homes. They’re often the first to be put down at kill shelters. They’ve lived their whole lives just hoping for the perfect family, and often they’ve been neglected or mistreated for much of their lives. Then they end up in a shelter and watch while people walk past their hopeful eyes and their gray muzzles, choosing younger, more playful dogs instead. Don’t they deserve to live their golden years being spoiled and loved, just like all the younger dogs will eventually do? I say YES!

Older dogs require far less training than younger dogs. They’re curious but not destructive. I don’t come home to find that older dogs have chewed my couch apart. They are already house broken much of the time, and if they’re not, they’re far easier to housebreak. They’re almost always already crate trained, too! They are typically very mellow – all they want to do is be with their family and feel safe. And they still come with all the benefits you get with a young dog. They’re loyal, protective, loving, and even playful! They may tire more easily, but isn’t that what you want? Who has the energy to entertain a young, crazy, four-legged fur ball ALL THE TIME? Not me. I find I can play with my older dogs for a little while, but then, when it’s time for me to get to work or clean the house, they’re content just plopping down to watch me. We have our time together, but then I have the very important ME TIME. It’s a perfect balance.

The next time you’re at a shelter, please give some serious consideration to those graying faces and those tails that might not wag as quickly. If you’re looking for a new friend online, do the same. Remember that all dogs get older, and by adopting an older one, you’ll be with your new best friend during the best years of his or her life…and they will be forever grateful.

Dogs have some amazing abilities, not just as our companions, but as working dogs that help save lives. Such as search and rescue dogs (SAR), with intensive training, they are tasked in extreme circumstances to do unimaginable. Working alongside a trained K-9 handler, they work together as a team, against insurmountable obstacles to find, rescue, and save people from tragedy around the globe. Do you have the desire and skills to train for search and rescue? Does your best friend have the ability to become a search and rescue dog? We sat down with Trupanion claims manager adjudicator, Aaryn Peterson, a SAR K-9 handler and trainer of five years to discuss the world of search and rescue dogs, her retired SAR pup Aspen, and how to get involved in the search and rescue field. 

Search and rescue dogs are working dogs that are used in the field to track and find people in extreme circumstances. Also, they work as a team, alongside their K-9 handler. These pups are highly skilled in a specific set of disciplines to help in their mission. In addition, they’re just one albeit important part of a search and rescue tool kit.

The beginning of a search and rescue dog’s story can start from an unlikely circumstance. Aaryn Peterson’s story is no exception. “I just moved to a new town with my husband and Aspen, and I didn’t know very many people yet. Naturally, one day the then-leader of the search dog team in my area showed up at the veterinary hospital where I worked at the time. Later, the topic came up, and before I knew it, I had been invited to visit training, and pretend to be a “lost” person. Naturally, from there, I was hooked and began getting all the training I needed to order to start as a general SAR volunteer, and as a K-9 handler,” states Peterson. 

An essential component of search and rescue dog training is first and foremost working as a team. “If you already have a dog you’d like to train, it is always a good idea to have a solid foundation of obedience and a relationship of trust that you can build upon” points out Peterson. 

• Find a search and rescue team to learn from 
• Teach your dog to be confident in many different situations 
• You, the handler, decides the work hours 
• Make sure it is a good fit for you and your dog 

Additionally, it’s important to know the different types of disciplines in the search and rescue field. If you’r deciding if search and rescue is a potential fit for you and your canine, consider the following. 

Airscent working dogs use their nose to track the air and are more likely to be off-leash when area searching. In addition, this is typically done in a wilderness setting. Also, airscent searches are influenced by:

• Weather 
• Time of day
• Terrain 
• Vegetation 

Avalanche search and rescue dogs are the most known discipline of the search and rescue dog’s hierarchy. Also, they are similar to airscent dogs that they work off-leash and grid up the avalanche on their mission. Further, they typically have the most sponsors and are often employed by ski-resorts.

A tracking/trailing working dog is trained to focus on the individual scent on the ground when on a mission. Additionally, it takes a longer time to search and follows the direction that the person travels in. For instance, tracking/trailing working dogs are used a lot in law enforcement as police dogs. 

Disaster search and rescue working dogs are sent into an area after a natural disaster has taken place. Naturally, their job is to locate the scent to start the rescue efforts. In addition, these canines are typically off-leash, and the handlers follow into the situation with the dog. Likewise, this can be a treacherous environment for the canine, as such the surroundings might be unstable. 

A human remains detection (HRD) canine identifies different types of deceased odors in an environment. Further, these working dogs are often used in water to indicate the deceased. For instance, while on their mission a positive search an HRD canine might indicate: 

• Dog points in wind
• Jumps in water 
• Laps in circles 
• Divers will go in to further investigate

Preparation is a key indicator of success for K-9’s and their handler’s. Likewise, each team member has their own skill-set that they must acquire before becoming a part of the team. 

Peterson weighs in on what makes for a successful K-9 team-mate. Consider the following: 

• Breed 
• Physical Ability 
• Desire to work 
• Drive 
• Ability to learn and respond 
• Courage 
• Tenacity 

In addition, the dog’s breed might not always play a factor in their ability to be a successful team-mate. For instance,” a smaller dog, such as a cocker spaniel or beagle, can fit in small spaces and can be less alarming to kids, “states Peterson. Definitely, something to consider when choosing your K-9 team-mate. 

If you are pursuing becoming a K-9 handler, dive into volunteering and become familiar with search and rescue programs near you. Also, you will need to attain certifications and acquire any/all gear needed to negotiate the outdoor elements common in your region and the types of rescues you will perform. For instance, consider emergency tools such as maps, compass, and GPS to add to your search and rescue kit. In addition, once you are certified, have your kit and car ready to go, so you can accept a mission as soon as you get the call. 

• Educate yourself on search and rescue 
• Cultivate necessary skills and start training 
• Start volunteering 
• Prepare yourself (physically, emotionally, and mentally) 
• Find a search and rescue team 
• Acquire a mentor/trainer in search and rescue 
• Evaluate your dog 
• Build a solid foundation for your dog

“Aspen and I have always done “teamwork” activities together, like sheep herding when she was younger, and have always been adventuring in the mountains. Also, I’ve always had a passion for volunteering and giving back. So, when I had a chance to take the teamwork relationship Aspen and I had built over the years to the next level, and do some real good for people in the process, there was no decision to make. Naturally, it was the obvious next step for us,” says Peterson. 

Consider teamwork activities as a way to strengthen your bond and test your canine’s abilities. 

If you choose to get involved with search and rescue dogs team, take into consideration the time commitment it could have on your schedule. For instance, a call could come in for a mission in the middle of the night. Also, be mindful of the impact it can have on your dog. Granted, your pup will let you know when they are ready to retire. Certainly, if you have the drive and determination, have an interest and passion to learn the craft, and have a strong bond with your canine, a search and rescue team might be a wonderful fit. In essence, search and rescue is a further way to bond, learn, and grow with your canine teammate. 

• National SearchDog Alliance
• National Association for Search and Rescue 
• FEMA
• Scientific Working Group on Dog and Orthogonal Detector

Highlight- during their search and rescue career, Peterson and Aspen, logged over 2500+ mission training hours from 2012-2018, with over 400+ hours per year. We thank this team for invaluable rescues and appreciate the dedication, hard work, and determination that was shown on and off the field.

An emotional support animal (ESA) is a different from a service dog. Unlike a service dog, an emotional support animal does not need specialized training to handle a task. Instead, Emotional Support Animals provide healing to their owner through affection and companionship. 

However, they still have special rights. Read on to understand the basics of registering your dog as an Emotional Support Animal.

Please go to www.usservicedogs.org

 Always teach your children to take care of their pets from the moment you get a dog or a cat in your care.- However make sure you don't let your children by themselves without proper supervision. To be a responsible dog owner every day, you should prioritize some key aspects of caring for your pet. Here are some highlights:

1. Veterinary Care – Making sure your pet has a reliable vet is one of the best things you can do to be a responsible dog owner. When possible, choose a vet that you trust and visit their practice consistently so they can provide continuity of care. Your vet will recommend a schedule of vaccinations and help you make the best decisions for the needs of your individual pet.
2. Microchipping – Having a microchip in place is one of the best things you can do to help recover a lost pet. Making sure your contact information is accurate in the registry is crucial when it comes to having your dog returned to you when they are lost, so check to be sure your registration is up-to-date. First, you’ll need your pet’s microchip number. If you can’t find it, the veterinary office who administered the chip should have a record of it. Then you can create an account with the chip manufacturer, or update your existing account. If your pet isn’t already chipped, consider scheduling this simple procedure as soon as possible.
3. Training – A responsible dog training program is much more than learning basic commands like “sit” or “stay.” Effective training will help you build a positive relationship with your dog, increase your dog’s ability to socialize with both people and other dogs, create habits that avoid problem behaviors, and establish a common language to increase trust. Plus, a well-trained dog who consistently responds to your commands will be safer when stressful or dangerous situations arise!
4. Socialization – Just like people, some dogs are naturally more social than others. But no matter your dog’s personality, helping establish a solid foundation of socialization is essential. The process is typically easier for puppies, but dogs of any age can learn new socialization skills to help lessen anxiety in new situations, increase the fun factor when it’s time to play, and give them confidence in themselves.