Frequently Asked Questions

Where do your dogs come from?

• Wet Nose Rescue only partners with shelters registered with the State of Pennsylvania. While most of our rescues come from out-of-state shelters in need of help placing homeless dogs and puppies, we also strive to support local shelters by providing resources for rescuing surrendered animals.

  Currently, we are working closely with the Mary Ann Morris Animal Society (MAMAS) in Bamberg, South Carolina. We aim to transport dogs from their shelter every two weeks to help give these animals a better chance at finding loving homes.

What is the adoption process?

• If you're interested in a dog or puppy, either from our website or one of our events, please fill out the online application and ensure it’s fully completed. Once we receive your application, we will check your references. If you currently have or have had a pet recently, we will request a veterinary reference. If not, we’ll ask for personal and work references.

  We ask that you give us at least 48 hours before following up on the status of your application. We do not operate on a first-come, first-served basis; instead, we focus on matching the right family with the right dog.

  Once approved, we will arrange a meeting at our adoption center, where you’ll have the opportunity to interact with the dog and ensure it’s the right fit for you. If you have another dog, you’re welcome to bring them to see how they interact. At the time of adoption, you will receive all of the dog’s medical records.

What happens if the dog I applied for was adopted? Can you help me find another one?

• If the dog you applied for is adopted, don’t worry – all applications are kept on file, and we check references on every application. As long as you are an approved applicant, you won’t need to submit a second application. Simply contact us if you're interested in another dog, and we’ll work with you to find the perfect companion for you and your family.

  Remember, we transport dogs from the shelter we work with every two weeks, so we’re always bringing in new puppies and dogs. If you're looking for a specific type of dog, we can also check with the shelter to see if they have what you're looking for, and include it in the next transport.

  We’re here to help you find the right match, so don’t hesitate to reach out!

Is there a fee to submit an application?

• No, absolutely not. There is no charge to submit an application.

Can you guarantee the breed of dog or how big my puppy will be when fully grown?

• Most of the dogs we have available for adoption are mixed breeds. When we list them on our website, we do our best to identify the breeds or mixes based on their physical features, including facial and body characteristics. However, we cannot guarantee the exact breed. For puppies, we can often estimate their potential adult size, but again, there is no certainty.

Does my dog have to be spayed or neutered?

• To adopt from Wet Nose Rescue, it is required by Pennsylvania State Law that your dog be spayed or neutered. This is also an important health consideration, as spaying or neutering helps reduce the risk of breast and testicular cancer in males.

  We require a $50 deposit for the spay/neuter procedure at the time of adoption, which will be refunded once we receive proof from a veterinarian that the procedure has been completed. Additionally, we can provide the names of affordable spay/neuter clinics at the time of adoption.

How long does the adoption process take?

• Once you submit your application, we ask that you allow 48 hours for us to review it and complete the reference check process. Depending on the volume of applications, this may take a bit longer. After 48 hours, you can call us to check on the status of your application.

  If you currently have a pet, we’ll request a veterinary reference. If not, we’ll ask for personal and work references. Some vet offices require permission from the client to release information, so we recommend contacting your vet ahead of time to give consent.

  Once you’re approved and come to meet and pick up your new dog, we’ll sit down with you to go over all the details. You’ll receive all medical records and a complete adoption kit. You’ll have the opportunity to interact with your new companion to ensure it’s the right match, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

If I am a foster parent and want to adopt my foster dog, can I?

• Yes, as long as we don’t already have an approved application for the dog, the foster family always has first choice to adopt. We just ask that you contact us as soon as you've made the decision to adopt, so we can prevent approving and notifying another family.

I recently adopted and my dog needs training. Do you have any recommendations?

• Since 2022, Wet Nose Rescue has partnered with Sherri from Dog Training by SAS, and we’ve seen incredible results with both our fosters and adopters. We highly recommend reaching out to her!

  Sherri is a positive reinforcement trainer who uses game-based methods to change behaviors, strengthen the bond between you and your dog, and create a relationship built on trust and freedom. She believes that training should be enjoyable for both the dog and the owner, and that doing it right will result in lasting success.