Rescue Policies & Guidelines
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Welcome to Tails of the Forgotten Paws Inc. - a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charity rescue & sanctuary organization saving lives since 1997.
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*We are not a traditional shelter. We are a professional, highly coordinated organization with no paid staff. Because of this, our process requires applicants who are self-sufficient, responsible, and able to follow written directions.
*We are 100% volunteer-run, with no office staff.
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Everything you need to know, including policies, procedures, and next steps, is outlined in the information provided here. Reading through it fully will help ensure the fastest and most accurate guidance. Thank you for your understanding and for supporting rescue work done with limited resources and a lot of heart.
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ADOPTION FEES
Puppies & dogs up to 3 years: $485
Dogs 3–5 years: $385
Dogs over 5 years: $285
Cats (fully vetted): $285
Kittens (too young to sterilize): $175
(Fees may vary with sponsorship or medical needs; always check listings.)
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HOW TO ADOPT
Submit an adoption application
If approved, you’ll receive an email from us within 3 to 5 days. (MUST CHECK SPAM/JUNK)
With your official approval email you will receive a link to our Policy & Procedure Adoption Contract.
You must read, sign and submit first before moving forward.
Submit your reservation for your meet & greet adoption or foster commitment.
You will receive your pickup date via email typically within 24 hours.
Attend your scheduled private Meet & Greet/Adoption Event (held twice monthly at Pet Supplies Plus in Lake in the Hills, IL)
Sign contracts and take your new family member home
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WHY OUR PROCESS WORKS ~ THE DEEPER TRUTH BEHIND OUR STRUCTURE
How Our Schedule Works
Private Meet & Greet & Adoption Events: Held twice a month at Pet Supplies Plus in Lake In The Hills, IL.
-These are for adopters and fosters who have already applied, been approved, signed this contract, and placed a reservation for a meet & greet/adoption reservation or committed to a FTA “Foster to Adopt” or regular Foster commitment..
-At these scheduled events, you will meet your animal in person on the specific date/time we send you and take them home the same day.
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Public Events: Also held every other Saturday at Pet Supplies Plus in LITH, Illinois.
-These are for community outreach, education, and meeting our team. People may also view our available animals via screen, online, and schedule a meet & greet/pickup date or foster commitment pickup while there. (WE DO NOT DO OPEN ADOPTIONS)
-They are not adoption events. No animals are placed directly from these events.
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Mandatory Return Policy
All animals adopted from Tails of the Forgotten Paws must be returned to us if the adoption does not work out. You may not give the animal away, abandon them, sell them, surrender them to another shelter, or transfer them to another rescue. This is a binding legal requirement under your adoption contract.
Violating this policy is a breach of contract and will result in legal action to the full extent of the law.
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Why Do We Require Refundable Reservation Deposits?
Reservation deposits are an important safeguard for our rescue, they:
1-Protect the animals by ensuring only serious adopters or fosters reserve them. We do not stress our animals unnecessarily for people who are not fully committed.
2-Protect our small team and our fosters who care for these animals in their homes, every no-show creates extra disruption for them and our already stretched to the limit team.
3-Protect our drivers who sometimes travel several hours to coordinate pickups. (We are foster based and cover a vast area and all of Illinois) Their time, fuel, and energy will be respected.
4-Protect our schedule by keeping limited pickup spots available only for families who are truly ready to move forward. A no-show doesn’t just waste a spot, it blocks another approved adopter from adopting.
5-Confirm commitment so our small volunteer team can safely coordinate veterinary care, pickups, and paperwork without last-minute disruptions.
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MEET & GREET EVENTS
Private Meet & Greets/Adoption Events: 2x per month at Pet Supplies Plus (IL)
Public Outreach Events: every other Saturday (These are NOT adoption events.)
No open adoptions, no walk-ins, no exceptions
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Meet & Greet FAQS - Questions And Answers
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VETTING & HEALTH
All animals are fully vetted per age
Microchipped (or scheduled)
Final health exam within days of pickup
Adults altered unless medically delayed; puppies adopted with alter contract
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Health Guarantee (Summary)
Every animal is fully vetted per age and cleared as “healthy” before adoption.
A final health exam is performed within 1 days of pickup.
We provide 2 weeks of direct medical oversight after pickup (to prevent duplicate meds and misdiagnosis of normal stress as illness). As well as to give our adopters peace of mind. You can relax and enjoy your new family member. We got you.
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Breed & Age Disclaimer
-Breed/age are educated guesses.
-DNA tests are unreliable in mixed-breed dogs.
-Parent info listed only if verified.
-What matters most is not breed, but the individual animal.
The best breed is the Rescue Breed.
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Breed & Age Policy - Shelter & Veterinary Scope Expansion
Deposit Amounts & Payment Instructions
Dogs: $175
Cats: $100
(unless otherwise noted)
We do not accept cash.
Remaining balance is due at your meet & greet/pickup date before taking your animal home.
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By reading and following the process, you’re helping us save lives responsibly. We’re proud of our low return rate and thousands of successful adoptions.
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Tails of the Forgotten Paws Inc.
Licensed in IL & AR
Established 1997