Adoption Process

How do I adopt a dog from Mila's Mutts?

The first step is filling out an application on our website - under available dogs.

If the application is the right fit for the dog, we set up a time to chat with the potential adopter and a home check. We go over more background about the dogs, the environment they come from, the good, the bad, everything they come with and more.

If the family would like to continue with our process, we send them videos and photos of the dog. The family has 24 hours to decide if they would like to adopt the dog or not. 

If the family would like to officially adopt the dog, we have them sign a pre-adoption contract and pay a deposit. The deposit goes toward the adoption fee. 

The new family will receive regular photos and/or videos, until the dog arrives.
Before they arrive, we send a full transport plan, with all the details they need to know for the Dogs arrival.

Once the dog arrives, the family picks them up directly off transport.

Can I meet the dog before adopting?

​If the dog is already in the United States, absolutely!
If the dog is still in Mexico, no.  Unfortunately we do not have a facility or shelter in the US. We only transport dogs when they are adopted or when they have a foster.

Are most of your adoptions blind?

Yes! We have adopted out 300+ dogs, blindly. Check out our Happy Tails page for some testimonials. 


​How do you blindly adopt a dog out?

We are very transparent to potential adopters about our dogs. Our insurance doesn’t let allow us to adopt out aggressive dogs with a past history. In Mexico, our dogs come from a shelter where they live with 25+ dogs. They are all very social and generally great with other dogs. Our dogs are completely vetted with a behavior assessment done by our head Vet, in Mexico. She speaks Spanish and English and is a respected Vet among her community. She does not work for the Mexican shelter. She works for Mila's Mutts, to ensure our dogs are healthy and safe, to send to America. We get photos of each dog, along with solo videos and them in a social settings. We can ask for more, especially if the family interested in adopting them has kids or cats. We can have the dogs tested with cats and/or children and send video of the interactions. We've been working with our current rescue partner in Mexico, for a year now. She has never sent us a bad dog and we've rescued over 150 dogs with her. We've visited her shelters several times and met lots of her dogs.

If the dog is local in the US, a foster has stepped up to help them. A Mila's Mutts Pack Member would pick up the dog from transport and do an assessment. We make sure the foster has support and can introduce their foster properly with any other animals they have. Setting up the foster and foster Dog for success. If you are interested in a dog being fostered, the first steps are the same. Once your application is approved you can meet them. If both the foster and new family feels it is the right fit after a meet, you can take your new family member home! 

Do you preform home checks?

We do home checks via video submission.  

Does Mila's Mutts provide any help or support?

Anyone who adopts from us, automatically becomes a part of the Mila’s Mutts family. That’s for life. If anyone has an issues, problems, concerns, questions or anything, we are here to help and support. Its our job to set the proper expectations for the adopters. We make it clear, dogs need time to decompress, what that looks like and much more! Adopters get a Pack Leaders personal phone number, we check in regularly for the first few weeks and ask them to follow up if needed.

​What does the adoption fee cover?

A fully vetted dog - Fixed, up to date on vaccines, microchipped, dental cleaning (if needed) and flea and tick medication, transportation costs.

Do the dogs come with anything?

All of our dogs are handed off with a brand new martingale collar, leash, 5 days/10 meals of high quality - fresh dog food, 3 days of dewormer and instructions. Male dogs get 2 reusable belly bands.

Do dogs ever get returned?

​Yes, but very rarely! 

We will always take a dog back. Our adoption contract states, when a past adopter notifies us they would like to return a dog, they have 24 hours to return the dog to us. We always want our dogs back so we can ensure they never end up in another shelter.

How can you help?

We always need volunteers and fosters. We provide all the supplies for fostering and cover any medical care for the dog. Its really rewarding to help dogs find their forever homes.