Imagine picking out a child and getting to bring them home that day without anyone asking any questions. It’s a scary thought, right? Adopting a child is a process to make sure that a family will take care of the kid properly and will provide a safe and loving home.
Dogs should be no different. While most shelters do limited checks on the background of potential owners, Rescue4all has a very strict adoption process to make sure every dog is set up for success.
Addie, a three-year-old pit bull mix, was picked up on a corner in the Spokane Valley last winter and brought to SCRAPS (Spokane Regional Animal Protection Service) shelter.
She was held in the back room because the vet found demodex mange, a condition that every dog has but only starts to show symptoms if a dog isn’t treated right, like in cases of malnutrition or extreme stress.
Because of the mites, most of her hair had fallen out and her skin was raw and itchy. After being there for less than a week, Jamie McAtee, founder of Rescue4All, another rescue organization that specializes in dogs with medical issues, got a call from SCRAPS and came to pick her up. She immediately called Stephanie Kuritz, a foster volunteer for Rescue4all, and asked if she had room for another dog. Little did she know, Stephanie had just seen a video of Addie on Rescue4all’s Facebook page and had already fallen in love with her.
Stephanie had her as a foster dog for nine months, giving her the love and attention she needed. Working with McAtee and vets, Addie was getting a bath almost every day, was being fed higher-quality food, and was put in pajamas to stop itching her already irritated skin.
Addie’s hair started growing back and she was returning to her happy and energetic self. It wasn’t an easy process, but Stephanie had been a foster mom to many other dogs and knows what it takes, especially with nutrition.
“Some of the dog food that you look at a lot of them are corn based and not good for dogs,” Kuritz said. It’s cheaper on the pocket book but it would be like feeding your kids McDonalds or Burger King for every single meal – the nutrition is not there.”
Dogs should be no different. While most shelters do limited checks on the background of potential owners, Rescue4all has a very strict adoption process to make sure every dog is set up for success.
Addie, a three-year-old pit bull mix, was picked up on a corner in the Spokane Valley last winter and brought to SCRAPS (Spokane Regional Animal Protection Service) shelter.
She was held in the back room because the vet found demodex mange, a condition that every dog has but only starts to show symptoms if a dog isn’t treated right, like in cases of malnutrition or extreme stress.
Because of the mites, most of her hair had fallen out and her skin was raw and itchy. After being there for less than a week, Jamie McAtee, founder of Rescue4All, another rescue organization that specializes in dogs with medical issues, got a call from SCRAPS and came to pick her up. She immediately called Stephanie Kuritz, a foster volunteer for Rescue4all, and asked if she had room for another dog. Little did she know, Stephanie had just seen a video of Addie on Rescue4all’s Facebook page and had already fallen in love with her.
Stephanie had her as a foster dog for nine months, giving her the love and attention she needed. Working with McAtee and vets, Addie was getting a bath almost every day, was being fed higher-quality food, and was put in pajamas to stop itching her already irritated skin.
Addie’s hair started growing back and she was returning to her happy and energetic self. It wasn’t an easy process, but Stephanie had been a foster mom to many other dogs and knows what it takes, especially with nutrition.
“Some of the dog food that you look at a lot of them are corn based and not good for dogs,” Kuritz said. It’s cheaper on the pocket book but it would be like feeding your kids McDonalds or Burger King for every single meal – the nutrition is not there.”
She ended up giving Addie the high-quality food that she gave her own personal dogs.
When McAtee matched Addie with Kuritz, she knew that Addie would work well with other dogs in the house. This plays a huge role in selecting a foster family.
McAtee makes sure from the beginning that the dog is being put in the best environment. After going from the streets to a shelter with 50-to-60 dogs, plus vet visits, it’s important that a dog is put in a home that is low stress so the dog has a chance to recover.
Thankfully, Addie didn’t have any trauma from the move. She didn’t show any of signs of violence or cruelty from her life before. Addie moved in without any issues and felt at home right away. She loved people, playing, and was already house trained.
After seven months, Addie was healthy enough to be adopted, and her photo was posted on the Rescue4All website.
Bobbi Cobb, a local Spokane resident, showed interest right away and started the long process for adopting. Rescue4all’s adoption process consists of a 10-page application with essay questions and references. Once being approved through that, there is an initial home visit with the foster mom and potential adoptive family to see how they interact.
Next, Addie got to stay for a weekend overnight. Once Jamie and the foster mom agree that it would be a good fit not only for the family but also for the dog, the family can officially be approved. For Addie, this whole process took about two months.
It was hard for Stephanie to say goodbye, and her whole family wanted Addie to stay with them and adopt them for themselves. But Addie is in good hands with the Cobb family and proves today that it was the perfect fit. Today, Addie is healthy and happy in her loving home, but still loves when Stephanie comes to visit.
When McAtee matched Addie with Kuritz, she knew that Addie would work well with other dogs in the house. This plays a huge role in selecting a foster family.
McAtee makes sure from the beginning that the dog is being put in the best environment. After going from the streets to a shelter with 50-to-60 dogs, plus vet visits, it’s important that a dog is put in a home that is low stress so the dog has a chance to recover.
Thankfully, Addie didn’t have any trauma from the move. She didn’t show any of signs of violence or cruelty from her life before. Addie moved in without any issues and felt at home right away. She loved people, playing, and was already house trained.
After seven months, Addie was healthy enough to be adopted, and her photo was posted on the Rescue4All website.
Bobbi Cobb, a local Spokane resident, showed interest right away and started the long process for adopting. Rescue4all’s adoption process consists of a 10-page application with essay questions and references. Once being approved through that, there is an initial home visit with the foster mom and potential adoptive family to see how they interact.
Next, Addie got to stay for a weekend overnight. Once Jamie and the foster mom agree that it would be a good fit not only for the family but also for the dog, the family can officially be approved. For Addie, this whole process took about two months.
It was hard for Stephanie to say goodbye, and her whole family wanted Addie to stay with them and adopt them for themselves. But Addie is in good hands with the Cobb family and proves today that it was the perfect fit. Today, Addie is healthy and happy in her loving home, but still loves when Stephanie comes to visit.
-Annalise Ellefsen