Frequently Asked Questions

General

Where are you located?

Hank's Haven Rescue Foundation was founded in Simcoe County, ON. We are a foster-based rescue which means we do not have a physical shelter. All of our dogs are in family homes until they are adopted. We require adopters to go to the dog’s foster home for meet and greets and pick up.

Who runs Hank's Haven Rescue Foundation ?

Hank's is run by a Board of Directors, and very dedicated volunteers who commit countless hours of personal time and resources to saving dogs/cats in need. Our volunteers are a fantastic group of people who make everything that we do possible. We prefer to interact with the public and our partners personally so that we are fully involved in all aspects of the organization, from beginning to end. We are very much a grass roots rescue and from the founder to the last volunteer, everyone is involved in all aspects and we consider ourselves a big extended family.

Where does Hank's get its funding?

As a not-for-profit organization, Hank's relies solely on the kindness and generosity of the public, neighboring businesses and other organizations for help in saving these lives. We have wonderful online fundraising auctions via our Facebook page, and the donations that we receive from adoptions go directly to our vetting fund.
You can choose to make regular monthly pledges if desired. Donating $5 or even $10 a month is a wonderful way to help our dogs. Any donation goes directly to medical care for our dogs, and is much appreciated. Without this support, we are not able to take on the more serious medical cases that we truly desire to. All of our dogs are fully vetted before finding their forever homes, which means we always pay for things in advance of an adoption fee. This is why our fundraising initiatives are so important. Excess funds go towards helping our sanctuary dogs. These dogs are with us for the duration of their lives due to one reason or another, mostly due to a hospice situation. We still give them all the care they require while they are with us.

How can I help?

There are several ways to become involved with Hank’s Haven.
Fostering: We are always looking for new approved foster homes. You set your own schedule and can request preferences based on what works best for your home. Please fill out an application to foster. We are always looking for pet free and kid free homes as well as temporary fosters that can help with overnighting an animal or keep them a short time due to a medical appointment

Donate: Please see here for more information on donating. Thank you!
E-transfer : donation.hankshaven@gmail.com
PayPal :
Amazon Wishlist : https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/1QYDHO1CQUVKT?ref_=wl_share
Volunteering to drive to pick up supplies, dogs or take animals to attend medical appointments.

Where do your dogs come from?

Our dogs come from a variety of sources. We help our local community OSPCA’s, Humane Societies and Municipal shelters. We also take owner surrenders. One place that is a VERY big part of Hank’s and our team’s hearts is Georgia. We have a wonderful sister rescue there called Diamonds In The Ruff South GA that we work very closely with and have been since we were founded. We make a special trip down once a year to spend time with them all and see 1st hand the turmoil that animals face there. We can’t express how grateful we are to share these amazing dogs with you all and see them in their forever homes!!

What about Canadian dogs?

First of all – Canadians are amazing! Did you know that your local OSPCA or municipal shelter also gets dogs from abroad??
The sad reality is that there are dogs all over not only North America but the World, who are homeless and in need of new forever families. There are many organizations in existence that focus on dogs from northern Canada, U.S and rescues worldwide. Our focus has been on dogs that need help in Georgia shelters. Without organizations helping these dogs get adopted, they can spend their entire lives in shelters, or be euthanized. One of our main priorities when Hank’s was started was to save an animal if we could…….regardless of where it was. Rescue does not know borders. Rescue is just that, helping an animal in need. What a lot of people don’t realize is that there are not enough dogs IN Canada for adoption to keep up with the demand of the general population. So if ALL Canadian rescues ONLY focused on Canada, there would be a major shortfall. Hank’s also has a strong focus on bully breeds and they are the #1 euthanized dog in North America. We can not just stand by and let that happen when we have amazing homes ready with wide open arms. We also do not bring in dogs with behavioral issues (they must be good with people and other dogs) and we ensure they are free from any parasite or disease before travelling. We also import in small numbers as we want to maintain control on the health and wellbeing of not only our dogs but the dogs in Canada as well.

Why so much screening before fostering or adopting ?

Our number one priority is to ensure the best possible fit for both you and the dog. Our adoption success rate is due in large part to the rigor we take in screening each family. Some of the top reasons dogs end up in shelters are lack of training, lifestyle changes (i.e. new baby, marriage), relocation, cost of dog ownership, not enough time for pet etc. Our goal is to ensure our adoptive families are well versed in the realities of dog ownership and ready to make a lifetime commitment. Welcoming a pet into your home is a HUGE commitment, whether you are fostering or adopting. We need to ensure that you are well aware of what you're agreeing to. Once approved you are approved for both fostering AND adopting. We also give our fosters preference before the dog/cat goes up for adoption. Once you're approved to be a part of Hank’s Haven, you are family and we promise the screening is worth it!! Your patience during our screening process is greatly appreciated.

What is included in the vetting information?

All dogs/cats are vaccinated, spayed/neutered and microchipped prior to going home. Dogs are vaccinated with DA2LP + PV (Canine Distemper – Adenovirus 2 – Para influenza – Parvo Virus Vaccine) and the Rabies vaccination (if old enough upon adoption). Puppies come with age appropriate vaccines (depends at what age we got them at), spayed/neutered and microchipped. It is likely that you will be required to take your puppy or kitten for one or 2 boosters PLUS their rabies vaccine after adoption. This is because we can not keep them in care for 16 weeks until they are old enough to receive their rabies. This is detailed in the adoption contract. All dogs are also checked over by a licensed veterinarian prior to adoption, and any pertinent blood tests that are required are performed and included in your adoption package. Any dog that is from Georgia comes with 6 months of flea/tick/heartworm prevention (Revolution). This is because the instance of heartworm is so prevalent there and we want to be proactive.

Pet Licenses / Microchipping?

All Hank's dogs are microchipped.
Licensing is the responsibility of a pet owner. Licences are mandated by your city. You will need to register with your municipality. **PLEASE CHECK YOUR MUNICIPALITY FOR THE DOG LIMIT FOR YOUR DWELLING**

How do I rehome my dog or cat?

If you are looking to rehome your dog, please never offer it as “Free to a Good Home” as this is the most common way for animal abusers, dog flippers (those who take free dogs by pretending to be a good home, and then sell them) and others with very bad intentions to obtain free animals.
Your dog/puppy (or cat/kitten) could end up as bait for intentions for illegal dog fighting rings, in a puppy mill or with a backyard breeder (if you haven’t had him/her spayed/neutered), in a medical lab for vivisection/research, or harmed by sick inpiduals. Your animal has his/her best chance with you, a family member or friend. If you must surrender the animal, make sure it is to a reputable rescue group or as a last chance your local shelter, and be honest about the health and behavioral issues of the dog. You are not doing Fido any favors by lying about these things as it will put a major strain on the organization taking him/her on and may result in euthanasia if not informed correctly.
Hank's Haven is a foster home based rescue and our foster group has existing dogs/cats/kids (combinations vary). We are not able to take dogs with behavioural issues as we don't have a facility to deal with issues that the surrendering family can't deal with. Dogs with bite histories or serious aggression are a huge liability as we have them in private homes. Please always reach out though because if we can’t then we will find someone who can or be honest with you about what you must do. Sometimes all you need is a good trainer, which we are happy to recommend. One of our main priorities for pets is for them to stay in their current home. That is where they feel safe, loved and trusted. Once moved, all those things go out the window and it's like starting with a clean slate. Some animals do better than others. Our founder will come and help you in your home if she feels that the issues are workable and you're willing to work on them. After all, Fido deserves that much right???
We also have people that have surrendered a pet to us as fosters and adopters. We are not judgmental, and we want what is best for the pet as well. If you have tried everything and it's still not working, then that is a good sign it isn’t a good fit and we will do our best to help and find you a better fit.
Please note: Whenever we are able to take an owner-surrender into foster care, we strictly adhere to the Canadian Privacy Act, meaning that all previous owner’s information is kept confidential. All medical information is shared with the adopters’ own vet, however, with the original owner’s name redacted.

Fostering Questions

Why become a foster for Hank's?

Fostering is one of the most important and impactful jobs in rescue. As we do not have a physical shelter, without our amazing network of volunteer fosters, we would not be able to save as many dogs as we do.
Fostering is also one of the most rewarding jobs in rescue. By providing a safe & loving home for a dog in need, not only are you freeing up a spot for another dog to be rescued, you’re helping to prepare the dog for adoption into his or her forever home. Foster homes also provide a more loving environment than most shelter facilities can. Many dogs are often overlooked in a noisy, scary shelter environment as they become too stressed. In a home setting, the dog’s true colors can shine.

What happens after I fill in the foster application?

Once your application is received we will acknowledge back via email.
Your references will be contacted by our volunteers via telephone. We will also ask for a homecheck. Currently due to Covid we are doing our home checks virtually.

Hank's is run by volunteers so only those approved will be contacted. Our amazing volunteers also work full-time so we unfortunately are not able to contact everyone. There are many great applications to Foster but we have to choose who we feel is the best fit for that pet.

What is the process for Foster to Adopt?

The foster to adopt "FTA" process is similar to the Fostering process. The FTA will Foster the dog/cat for a minimum of 3 weeks. If you decide you want to adopt the animal after the 3 weeks you will be sent an adoption contract and then pay the adoption fee.
If you have decided that the dog/cat is not compatible with your family or lifestyle then you would continue to Foster until a suitable adopter is found. There are exceptions and this is certainly not the “rule” as all dogs are different. Some take less time and some take more. But usually 3 weeks is a fair amount of time to truly understand which type of home is going to be the best fit.

Adoption Questions

What should I consider before adopting a dog?

Adopting a dog should be a well-thought-out decision by all members of the household. Is it the right time? Do you understand the years of emotional and financial commitment? Hank's best suggestion is to really think hard about what qualities in a dog are important to you, which may help you figure out what breed, age, size, activity level and temperament will work for your family. Here are some other things to consider:

How will the dog fit into my family/lifestyle?

Please take time to thoroughly read the dog’s bio/profile and feel free to e-mail with questions about what to expect.

I have children; what should I take into consideration?

If you are looking for a dog that will be good with children, it will be noted in the dog’s bio and his/her foster home can provide you with relevant information. Please remember that young children need to be taught how to interact positively with dogs of all types and sizes BEFORE you bring one into your home. We can provide you with some links and tips on this crucial topic.

Am I willing to commit to obedience classes with my dog?

Please do – we advise even experienced dog parents to take their new dog to classes. It helps both of you establish a solid relationship in a positive, public environment.

Keep in mind that not all breeds are cohesive in all environments. We will advise you if we don’t think a dog or cat is suited to your lifestyle and if you are an approved adopter we will help you find one that is.

I’m leery of adopting an adult dog, as I don’t know the dog’s history. What do you do to determine if the dog is temperamentally sound?

This is one of the biggest advantages to adopting a dog through a rescue. By fostering the dogs in our homes, they are observed in many situations and environments. Each foster parent is experienced with dogs of all types, and assesses each dog for behavior traits, training, socialization and quirks in general.

While there are never “guarantees” in life, we do not adopt out a dog without thoroughly assessing him/her and disclosing as much information as we have. Each home has qualities that makes them unique to other homes and situations such as children, cats, other dogs, time spent at and away from home, etc.

What is the adoption process?

To adopt one of our dogs, please fill out an adoption application. Although we do our best to reply to all inquiries within 48 hours, please remember we are a 100% volunteer-based organization, and many of us have full time jobs outside of rescue. We appreciate your patience.

Our priority is to ensure the fit is right for both you and the dog, we will reach out to your personal and veterinarian references (if applicable), and your landlord (if applicable). A virtual video or pictures of your place are required at the time of application.

You will then be granted a meet and greet with the dog. If after the meet and greet, you would like to proceed with adoption, we will review your application with the foster and make our final decision.

What are your adoption fees?

We strive to keep our adoption fees reasonable while still maintaining a high standard of vetting and enrichment for the animals in our care. All of our vetting and anything else a dog needs is paid for in advance of our animals being adopted. We also have a sanctuary program where medically compromised animals stay with a hospice foster for their remaining days. We also have a strong focus on special needs and medical cases, and emergencies arise often. We also transport a lot of our dogs and those costs add up very fast. All of these things have been taken into consideration when coming up with our adoption fees. This last year and a bit have hit us (and a lot of others) hard. Fundraising is at an all-time low, bills are at an all-time high. So, in order to keep our doors open AND continue to provide all of our animals with the level of care they deserve, our adoption fees will be changing to the following effective May 1st, 2021 (please note that some may not have changed at all):

Dogs 7 and under: $800

Dogs 8+: $400

Cats 8 and under: $200

Cats 8+: $100

Feral Barn/Shop Cat: Donation only

Medical/Special Needs: To Be Determined on a case-by-case basis

All dogs come with up-to-date age-appropriate vaccines, spay/neuter, microchip, one month of pet insurance and any dogs adopted from a heartworm hotspot (Georgia) are provided with 3 months of heartworm prevention from the time they arrive in Canada. Since Georgia is a hotspot for heartworm, it’s imperative these dogs are kept on heartworm prevention for a minimum of one year post treatment or arrival. More details about this process will be discussed with adopters prior to adoption.

All cats come with up to date, age-appropriate vaccines, spay/neuter, microchip and one month of pet insurance

All animals leaving our care to be adopted have seen a veterinarian prior to adoption and have been given a clean bill of health (any special needs cases will be advised on specialized care required). Also, any dogs that have tested positive for heartworm PRIOR to coming to us have been treated before coming. We, along with their adopter simply continue their maintenance portion of the treatment.

Why can’t I meet the dog before submitting an application?

To minimize the disruption to the lives of both our dogs and our foster families, only applicants that have completed the screening portion of the adoption process will be granted a private meet and greet with the dog.

Occasionally, we will host adoption events in which anybody is welcome to come by and meet the dogs. Please note though that you may not take a dog home from one of these events.

All adopters must submit an application online and go through our screening process.

What are the adoption fees used for?

We are a non-profit organization and the funds we collect from the adoption fee covers the intake cost of bringing dogs into our care and their vetting costs. Some of our dogs have more vetting needs than others, for example teeth extractions, spay and neuter surgery, knee surgery and medication for particular skin conditions.

If I adopt a dog from you, and can no longer care for it do you take the dog back?

Yes, please understand that you must notify Hank's, without delay, if you can no longer care for or keep your dog or cat and agree to give Hank's time to rehome them or place them in an approved foster home, if required.

Do I get my adoption fee back if I return my dog?

No. All of our dogs receive their vetting prior to being adopted. We also have sanctuary dogs which are with us for the duration of their lives that usually require extensive vetting, special supplements or special food. So that means our funds are constantly being used up. We expect that our adopters have put as much time and thought into adopting that we have with rescuing and caring for these animals. We expect that if there are behavioral issues, you will seek the help of a professional before throwing in the towel. Or if there is something medical that comes up, you have prepared to care for them during that time. We do have exceptions to this and that would be if the dog caused a serious bite or damage to another person or animal, or if there was something medically wrong that we did not catch. This will be backed up by a medical professional in writing and within the period stated on your contract. Should your pet be held responsible for a serious bite or damage to people or animals, please note that they may be required to be euthanized and we need to follow provincial guidelines with regards to DOLA. We will speak to adopters on an individual basis with regards to finding a more suitable match for them in the future.

We have outlined the policies in place should you need to return your dog:

1. The adopter agrees to contact Hank's should the dog exhibit behaviour concerns and pay for behavioural services prior to undertaking any surrender.

2. If the adopter previously paid for training, proof of such is required when the dog is surrendered.

3. The adopter agrees to pay for a professional trainer’s evaluation in the case of biting or aggression.

4. The adopter understands that Hank's has the right to refuse the return of their dog if it is deemed unadoptable due to aggression.

I don’t have a fenced yard – am I going to be automatically denied?

Absolutely not. There are families who adopt from us who live on country properties, in suburban areas, and in condominiums / apartments who do not have fenced yards. Of course, there are always certain dogs that must have a fenced yard, but we will specify this in the dog’s bio. Please read carefully before applying!

If I fill out an application to adopt a dog, am I guaranteed to get it?

No, there is no guarantee that you will be able to adopt a specific dog. We typically process only one application at a time for each dog, however not every application is approved. Once an application is closed, we move on to the next most appropriate application for that dog.

Why do I have to go meet the foster to see the dog?

We are not a shelter; all of our dogs are cared for in private homes, with dedicated volunteer foster parents. Because our fosters give SO much of their free time to our animals, we feel it's only fair that the adopters put in the effort to go and see them where they are most comfortable.

Why foster homes and not a shelter?

There are many reasons that this is one of the best possible ways to rescue/adopt a dog:

1. The dog is more comfortable in a home environment than a scary shelter (many lovely dogs are euthanized simply because they shut down in the shelter and are not deemed ‘adoptable’).

2. The dog has been exposed to new people and animals, has been loved and shown that life can be wonderful, and has been taught at least basic manners.

3. The foster family gets to know the dog in many situations and is, therefore, able to give you a more accurate understanding of them and their behavior.

I’m not in Southern Ontario; will you fly/drive my adopted dog to my home?

No, we will not fly or transport a dog to his/her new home. As a volunteer not-for-profit organization, this is logistically and financially impossible. If your application is approved to adopt, you must make the drive to both meet and to pick up your new dog in person.

However, depending on the circumstances we may make some exceptions on a case-by-case basis.