Before You Adopt
Rescue is not for everybody and there are several circumstances you will need to consider before applying to adopt a Bulldog. Most dogs that come into rescue are between the age of 4-8 years and either having medical and/or behavioral issues (but not all of them). We rarely get puppies into our program, and if we do they normally have significant medical issues to deal with.

Applicants must be willing to work with their Bulldog on behavioral issues such as potty training, anxiety issues, chewing etc. SDBR will not place dogs that are known to be highly aggressive. You must also be prepared to care medically for your Bulldog to include eye drops, medicated baths, prescribed medicines, special diets, cleaning jowls and more.

Your rescue dog may take several weeks to feel “at home” with you. We do not guarantee that you will not experience any problems when your rescue Bulldog is adjusting to its new home. Please be patient and if you have any doubts, questions or concerns we encourage you to contact a SDBR volunteer. We are here to help.

Please remember that we do not place dogs on a first come, first served basis. We always consider the need of the Bulldog before placement. While our main objective is to the best home for the Bulldog, we also make every effort to ensure that the Bulldog we place becomes part of the adoptive family. Adoption is a lifetime commitment.

The Application Process
To be considered for a rescue Bulldog all interested parties must complete an application form. All applicants are pre-screened through the application, telephone interviews, veterinarian references (if applicable), landlord permission if renting, and home inspections by one of our volunteers. This allows SDBR to find the best matched home for each rescue Bulldog.

We ask that you complete all questions on the form so that we can best assess your information. If you have been pre-approved a SDBR representative will contact you to schedule a home inspection. The inspection should be performed at a time when ALL residents of the household are available and during a time when your backyard and outdoor property can be inspected. The home inspection is not a pass fail situation but rather a time for one of our volunteers to see if your home is ready for a bulldog and that you understand the needs and responsibility of owning a rescue Bulldog. A home inspection also can determine the type of bulldog best suited to the environment you can provide (i.e. a home with stairs would not be a candidate for a Bulldog with bad hips).

After the home inspection is completed and vet references have been checked (if applicable) we will consider your application approved. If at this time we have a Bulldog that we feel is a good match we will set up a meeting time. At this time we will also discuss the Home Trial period, Adoption Contract, Adoption Fee, any medical needs and other information to help you successfully welcome the rescue Bulldog into your family. On the initial introduction we ask that ALL household members, including children and resident dogs meet the Bulldog before placement is finalized. This will allow you to better evaluate the dog and we can determine if placement is right.

Application Forms
Online form - http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/apply/release.htm

Or

Click here to download the SDBR Application Form