ADOPT A DOG INC
Coming To The Rescue Since 1981
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The problem we aim to address is the number of unwanted or abandoned dogs needing prolonged shelter, care and training while a permanent home is found.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Adoptions
The Adopt-A-Dog (AAD) Adoptions Program is a program that matches and places a pet sheltered at AAD with an appropriate new owner and home. Components of the Adoption Program include a streamlined matching process managed by the Adoptions Coordinator; the posting of pets on AAD’s website; the utilization of an online application; and the building of relationships with other rescue groups and shelters. The focus of AAD’s Adoptions Program is to place pets into permanent homes as quickly as possible to minimize the number of days a pet is in the shelter. AAD also assists those seeking to surrender a pet with referrals and assistance so that pet may find a new permanent home.
Adopt-A-Dog has over 30 years of experience placing animals into forever, loving homes. Individualized care is shown to each dog at the shelter in preparation of their adoption. We get to know our dogs inside and out, in order to provide adopters with as much information about their potential new family member as possible. The relationship we develop with our adopters is one of transparency, respect and support.
We provide thorough training for each of our dogs, and this knowledge is passed on to our adopters in order to make a dog’s transition into a home as smooth as possible. Whether a first time or lifelong pet owner, we are with our adopters every step of the way, including after adoption.
Behavior Program
Our Behavior Program focuses on rehabilitating, improving, and expanding our dogs' physical, mental, and behavioral health during their time in our care. We pride ourselves on being ahead of the curve, and leading national standards on the quality of care shelter dogs should receive daily.
The program includes two aspects: a behavior program that focuses on shaping a dog's view to have positive and healthy interactions with people, their surroundings, and other animals. The enrichment program provides endless hours of fun entertainment to each of the dogs housed at Adopt-A-Dog.
Our Philosophy
Each dog coming into our care is an individual, and no judgments are passed onto them based on their breed, size, and condition at intake. Dogs are living creatures, and they must be treated with respect when working with them in all aspects. Our training method is committed to providing the most humane techniques and an individually tailored learning path that will serve each dog with the highest chance of success during their stay at the shelter, in foster, and ultimately in their adoptive home. Our methods and tools used are modified to fit the dog's individual needs and are consistently re-evaluated as they progress in their program.
Life at the Shelter
Once a dog arrives at our care, we run an entry assessment based on their presentation towards us, previous history (if provided), and their initial days in our care either in the shelter or in foster. For dogs staying at our shelter, every interaction with them is an opportunity to help the dog become as adoptable as possible. They are provided with a minimum of three outings daily from their rest areas to spend in the play yards, in playgroup, walks, car rides, etc. While staying in their rest areas, they are also provided with comfortable bedding and plenty of enrichment to keep inquiring minds occupied. Feedback from all activities and interactions our dogs have with staff and volunteers helps build their full behavioral assessment and adoption profile. These interactions are also vital to their overall health and well-being during their shelter stay.
Our behavioral assessments are completed by our Shelter and Behavior Manager and our partner Christopher Duonola of Duonola Dog Training. At the time of adoption, our adopters receive a full behavioral history of their dog and are provided educational materials to build their behavioral knowledge. For dogs in our Diamonds in the Ruff program, adopters are provided with free hands on lessons before adoption to learn the skills their dogs have obtained in our program.
Quality of Life
Quality of life is our top priority, and every aspect of care provided is to benefit the dogs' mental and physical well-being. Since we are very hands-on with our dogs, we can identify notable changes, and if there are signs of discomfort or stress, we will create a plan to target those areas poorly affecting their quality of life.
We build trust and bonds with dogs, which many have never experienced this type of love before, and we have seen dogs flourish through the care we provide. We love providing adopters with as much information as possible regarding their dog's likes, dislikes, quirks, and preferences, which all help make a successful match and lifelong happy adoption.
Volunteer Program
The AAD Volunteer Program provides opportunities for interested individuals, student groups, organizations, and corporations to help with numerous activities. Volunteers bring a diversity of interests, knowledge, expertise and support to AAD.
The purpose of the AAD Volunteer Program is to provide a welcoming environment where AAD can create a positive impact on the community it serves as well as give people the chance to dedicate their time making a difference in the lives of homeless animals any way they can.
Where we work
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of animals rescued
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Adoptions
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This number reflects the total number of animals brought into our shelter for the year.
Number of animal adoptions
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Adoptions
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This number reflects the total number of adoptions.
Number of sheltered animals
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Adoptions
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This number reflects the average number of animals housed at the shelter.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our goal is to provide dogs at risk of euthanasia with individualized behavioral and medical care as well as a safe environment to live as they wait for adoption. Our facility and day-to-day operations are capable of maintaining the quality of life of dogs requiring more time to be placed into permanent homes, and we strive to ensure that each dog's needs are met on a daily basis.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
In order to ensure all aspects of each dog's well-being are tended to, we cross-train all of our staff. Every employee participates in sessions with our Behaviorist to learn how to provide the behavioral care each dog needs. Consistency is key to maintaining individualized behavior programs, and we ensure all of our staff have the knowledge and skills necessary. Additionally, part of our Volunteer Program involves teaching age-appropriate volunteers the basic behavioral information necessary to promote consistency in each interaction they have with the dogs. Every dog housed at the shelter is taken out of their kennel three times a day. We use every interaction as an opportunity to help our dogs prepare for a permanent home. The knowledge gathered from all of the one-on-one time each dog has with a staff member or volunteer is utilized to help match the dog with a permanent home. All adopters are taught the necessary training prior to adopting a dog, and we provide training for life.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
To meet our goals, we have staff responsible for implementing each of our programs. All programs are tailored towards achieving our mission, and are carried out each day.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In 2017:
- Adopt-A-Dog had a 97.4% live release rate (utilizing the Asilomar Accords
Method of calculating the live release rate).
- 82 dogs entered our shelter, with 71 dogs adopted into permanent homes.
- Of the 35-40 dogs housed at the shelter at any given time, 22 were enrolled in
our Advanced Behavior Program
- 26 dogs received post-adoptions behavior support in order to remain in their
adoptive homes
- 170 volunteers donated over 3,000 hours of volunteer service to change the lives of
the dogs at the shelter
- 22 dogs avoided entering the shelter through our Home-to-Home Program
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
ADOPT A DOG INC
Board of directorsas of 09/08/2023
Mr. Elliot Benton
Ms Karen Shapiro
Annie Angellino
James Angellino
Cynthia Ginter
Ellie Gerli
Cathy Kangas
Barbara Drayer
Elliot Benton
Suzanne Hogan
Lindsay O'Brien
Mary Rolla
David Hemenway
Len Mitchell
Karen Shapiro
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes