Adoptable Dogs
Meet Our Adoptable Dogs
Every dog at Wellie's Wish Dog Rescue has a story — and each one is waiting for the right person to help write the next chapter. The dogs in our care come from commercial breeding operations and owner surrenders, and many of them have never known what it feels like to be part of a family. We work hard to rehabilitate, socialize, and prepare each dog for the loving home they deserve. Browse our available dogs below and when you find the one that speaks to your heart, we'd love to help you take the next step. Please note that not all dogs shown may still be available, as our listings are updated regularly.
Read more about our adoption process and what to expect below.
Our Adoption Process
At Wellie's Wish Dog Rescue, we want to make sure every adoption is a great fit — for you and for the dog. Our process is designed to be straightforward while ensuring that each dog lands in a safe, loving home. Here's what to expect:
Submit an Application
Start by filling out our online adoption application. This helps us get to know you, your household, and what you're looking for in a new companion. The more detail you can share, the better we can match you with the right dog.
Phone Interview
Once we've reviewed your application, a member of our team will reach out for a brief phone call. This is a chance for us to answer any questions you have about a specific dog and for us to learn a little more about your home and lifestyle.
Meet and Greet
If everything looks like a good match, we'll set up a time for you to meet the dog in person. This is an important step — it gives both you and the dog a chance to connect and make sure the chemistry is right.
Welcome Home
Once everyone is on the same page, it's time to make it official. We'll finalize the adoption, go over any specific care instructions for your new dog, and send you home with your newest family member.
We reserve the right to ensure a safe environment for all of our dogs. Our goal is never to create barriers — it's to set every dog and every adopter up for long-term success.
Want to Learn More?
We've put together a detailed guide that covers everything you need to know about adopting from Wellie's Wish Dog Rescue — from what to expect during the application process to tips for welcoming your new dog home. If you'd like a deeper dive before you apply (or just want to make sure adoption is the right fit for your family), give it a read!
Adoption Fees and What’s Included
Every dog adopted from Wellie's Wish Dog Rescue comes ready to start their new life. Our adoption fees help cover the cost of the medical care and preparation each dog receives while with us, and every dollar goes directly back into saving more dogs.
Standard Adoption Fee: $500
This applies to most dogs in our program.
Benefactor Dog Adoption Fee: $700
Dogs that are highly desirable are benefactor dogs. A portion of their fee helps offset the cost of specialized treatment & extended rehabilitation of dogs that need additional medical care.
What's included with every adoption:
Intake veterinary exam
Age-appropriate vaccines
Spay or neuter (if age appropriate)
Deworming treatment
Flea and tick treatment (one dose)
Heartworm testing (age appropriate)
Microchip
When you adopt from Wellie's Wish, you're not just gaining a companion — you're making room for us to rescue another dog in need.
BRINGING HOME YOUR NEW DOG
We feel it’s important to help you recognize the stress involved for every dog when they get adopted. As humans, we love our new dogs immediately, but please remember your new dog doesn’t really know you yet or have reason to trust you. Below are some of the key things we’ve learned over the years that we feel are important for every new adopter to remember.
Bring a leash and collar with you for your new dog.
Secure the dog in the car by tethering the leash or place in a crate.
Purchase a crate to use at home. It should be large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around freely, but not too much excess space. To protect both dog and property, use a crate when leaving your new dog unattended. Start with short periods of time (20 minutes or so) and work your way up to longer stretches.
Purchase some dog toys and treats (ask the foster for some ideas).
Check with the foster and/or ask a Wellie’s rep to find out what your new dog has been eating. You should plan to transition them slowly to their new food. This helps prevent stomach upset.
Keep visitors to a minimum until your dog has a chance to bond with you and your immediate family.
Over the next few weeks keep outings with your new dog to a minimum while you get to know them and can build a trusting relationship.
Feed your new dog separately from resident dogs and keep treats/bones/etc. to a minimum while everyone establishes boundaries.
Children should refrain from showing their love to the new dog in the form of hugging and kissing.
Please keep your new dog under your supervision while outdoors (even for potty breaks) while they learn about their new environment and boundaries. If walking your dog in an open, uncontained area uses a NON-retractable leash and an appropriately fitted harness. If your dog is high flight risk, you should use a coupler to connect harness to collar.
Remember the best doggie friendships are built overtime. Don’t force interactions. Respect your new dog’s need for alone time as well as your resident dogs need for alone time. Take walks together and engage in play, but don’t force them to be together 24/7.
When out & about in your vehicle keep your new dog secured via a leash or in a crate. Bolting out of a car through an open door/ window is the most common way a newly adopted dog is lost.
Avoid dog parks. If you are a dog park type of person, consider avoiding them for at least a month or two after adopting your dog until you really get to know their personality.
Contact Us
Have a question about adopting, fostering, or supporting Wellie's Wish Dog Rescue? We'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form below and a member of our volunteer team will get back to you as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience — as an all-volunteer organization, it may take us a little time to respond, but we promise every message matters to us.
