LOOKING GLASS ANIMAL RESCUE, INC.

Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877

Help Save Pets


Adoption Process

Looking Glass Animal Rescue aims to place homeless dogs and cats into loving forever homes. We prioritize matching the right home with the right animal, ensuring a lifetime of affection for both pets and their adopters. Our proven process is designed to make the best matches for our animals. Step 1: Fill out an Adoption Application This application provides us with information about you, your lifestyle, and your experience with animals. Step 2: Application Preliminary Review Our placement team will review your application to ensure all necessary information is included. If any details are missing, we will reach out to request further information or a new application. Step 3: Landlord Approval Verified If you are renting your home, we will contact your landlord to confirm that you have permission to have a pet and to inquire about any breed or size restrictions. If your landlord does not allow pets, your application will be denied at this stage. Step 4: Veterinary References Contacted An adoption coordinator will reach out to the veterinary references you provided to verify that your current pets are spayed/neutered and up to date on vaccinations. If you do not have current pets, we will ask about the care your previous pets received. If you have never owned a pet, this step will be skipped. If your veterinary references cannot confirm the spay/neuter and vaccination status, your application will be put on hold until you can provide this information. Step 5: Personal References Contacted An adoption coordinator will contact your three personal references (only one of whom may be a family member) to assess your suitability as a responsible pet owner. This part of the process may take time, so it is advisable to inform your references to expect our call. If serious concerns arise during this communication, your application may be denied. Step 6: Home Visit and Applicant Interview Our organization requires a home visit to ensure the pet will be in a safe environment. This informal meeting allows us to learn about you, your lifestyle, and your home. The home visit volunteer will conduct a brief walk-through of your home and yard to assess safety and address any concerns. All household members must be present during the visit. We will also request proof of homeownership if applicable and may take photos of your home. If our volunteers identify significant concerns during the home visit or if you refuse the visit, your application will be denied. Step 7: Meeting between Approved Applicant and Animal As we do not have a shelter, our animals are in foster homes. We will only arrange meetings between interested adopters and our foster animals after an applicant has been approved through this process. Once approved, the adoption coordinator will schedule a time for you to meet the dog(s) or cat(s) you are interested in. Approval does not guarantee you a specific animal. For popular animals, we may have multiple applicants meet the pet before selecting the best fit. Additionally, if the volunteer present during the meeting believes you are not a suitable match for a specific animal, your application for that pet may be denied, though you may still have the opportunity to adopt another animal. Step 8: Adoption If approved, you will be required to pay the adoption donation fee and, if necessary, a spay/neuter deposit. Upon receipt of payment, you will become the owner of the pet. If you have any questions or issues with your new pet, please contact your designated representative, and a volunteer will assist you promptly. Step 9: Notification of Spay/Neuter and Return of Deposit If your pet was not spayed/neutered at the time of adoption due to age or medical reasons, you will have signed a contract agreeing to have the procedure completed and paid a deposit. Our contract mandates that all dogs be spayed/neutered within one month of adoption or when medically appropriate. You are required to inform us of the scheduled surgery and the veterinary clinic performing it. We will verify the procedure has been completed, and your deposit will be returned. Failure to comply with the spay/neuter agreement may result in our organization reclaiming the animal. Step 10: Optional Post-Adoption Follow-up Visit Our adoption contract allows for a follow-up visit by one of our volunteers or representatives. Such a visit may be required if we suspect the adoption terms are not being met. Looking Glass Animal Rescue is committed to the well-being of every dog and cat we place. If an adoption does not work out or you need to rehome your pet, our contract requires that the animal be returned to us. Please contact us as soon as possible at [email protected]. Tax-deductible adoption fees can be found on our website.

Service Areas

Northeast region, including Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Looking Glass Animal Rescue, Inc. in Ridgefield, CT

Looking Glass Animal Rescue (LGAR) is a nonprofit organization driven by volunteers, dedicated to the welfare of animals. We focus on rescuing animals from high-kill shelters, hoarding situations, puppy mills, and animal fighting rings. While we welcome all animals in need, our primary focus is on those often overlooked due to age, breed, special needs, or medical conditions requiring immediate and often expensive treatment that shelters cannot provide. Without our intervention, these animals would face euthanasia due to their challenges. Every year, hundreds of animals are euthanized due to overpopulation, neglect, and financial constraints. This is especially true for animals with medical issues, many of which are treatable. These animals are frequently labeled as "unadoptable" and are kept from public view, resulting in their suffering in silence without hope for a second chance. To address this, we have established a special focus on rescuing as many of these animals as possible. Veterinary costs can range significantly, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, often depending on the severity of the condition, which may not be fully known at the time of rescue. Nevertheless, we are committed to providing advanced medical care and pain management for every animal we take in, striving to achieve the best possible outcomes for those who have been neglected or harmed. In addition to addressing urgent medical needs, every rescued animal is spayed or neutered if necessary, vaccinated, and microchipped as soon as possible to enhance their chances for a healthy, happy life. When individuals choose to foster or adopt from us, they can expect that the animals will be healthy and will not transmit diseases to their existing pets. Moreover, we provide comprehensive education to each adoptive family on how to help their new pet transition smoothly into their home. This includes essential training in crate use, house training, obedience, and proper introductions to resident pets, all of which are crucial for building a successful relationship. When needed, we will collaborate with professional trainers to assist animals requiring specific behavioral modifications, recognizing that mental health is just as important as physical health. We believe every animal deserves the chance to live free from fear and anxiety. Just as psychologists help people, professional trainers can facilitate the transition for abused animals from their past lives to promising new futures. Our goal is to ensure that all our animals become cherished members of their new families for the entirety of their lives. By collaborating with a network of volunteer advocates, foster caregivers known as Adoption Ambassadors, local veterinarians, trainers, and shelters, LGAR aims to rescue hundreds of animals each year. Additionally, we serve our community by offering information on responsible pet ownership, including resources for spaying and neutering, positive behavior training, nutrition, and veterinary care. We believe that no animal should be mistreated and are working towards a future where no companion animal is euthanized due to a lack of a home.

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