Can NorthStar WI help me rehome my dog?
Well, yes and no. We are based in Madison, WI. We use PefFinder and our social media pages to help get the word out about a dog needing our rehoming help. These tools tend to be very geo-specific So people within a 50 mile range of Madison will most benefit from our help. If you are outside this range, send us an email – we might still be able to think of something!
If you are just helping a family with re-homing, why can’t I talk directly with them?
For some families, they are okay with having direct contact with potential adopters. In other cases, families have asked us to verify references and review the application for our advice. While we have not met or assessed a dog needing rehoming. We do interview the families to gather as much medical and behavioral information that we can to provide an honest description of the dogs personality and needs. It’s our mission to help dogs in all situations find their Fur-Ever home.
Does NorthStar require adopters to own their homes?
No! Renters are encouraged to adopt from NSWI. We’ll just check with your landlord to make sure dogs are allowed in your rental unit. We’ll also check on any weight, size, or breed restrictions.
Does NorthStar Adopt to families who live in apartments?
Yes! We will need to discuss an exercise plan, including daily walks/runs and perhaps visits to a fenced in dog park. Every dog has different exercise needs and some dogs are a better match for apartment living. We will work with you to find a dog suitable to your living situation. We also call your landlord to verify that you are allowed to have pets and determine if there are any size or breed limits.
Does NorthStar require adopters to have fenced yards?
It depends on the dog. As with dogs living in apartments, we will need to discuss an exercise plan, including daily walks/runs. Every dog has different exercise needs and most dogs do just fine with daily walks. We will work with you to find a dog suitable to your living situation. However, we strongly advise that you not to let your dog off leash in unfenced areas. This is particularly important as many of our rescue dogs were picked up as strays, so they can be in the habit of wandering away from home!
If I am the first one to apply for a dog, will I get him?
Maybe. We are not a first-come, first served rescue. We try our very hardest to find the best match for each dog and adopter. Being first doesn’t hurt, but it’s not a guarantee.
Can you guarantee a dog’s breed?
No. Unfortunately, for most dogs we cannot guarantee a dog’s breed. Many dogs end up in shelters because they are strays. And many more are turned in by owners who don’t know or don’t share their pet’s history. Even when we know the puppy’s mom, we only know half of the mix. The best we can do is make an educated guess based on the dog’s appearance and temperament. Occasionally, we receive dogs that are owner surrendered with pedigree documentation, but these dogs are few and far between.
What do I do if I cannot keep my dog?
If for any reason, you cannot keep your dog, reach out to us. If you have problems – no matter how small – let us know before they become big! We may be able to provide you the advice and support you need to fix the problems before they get out of control. If you need to rehome, we can offer a courtesy listing where you keep the dog, and we help you rehome the pup.