Rescue Information

Nonprofit animal shelters and rescue groups exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible to apply to become transfer partners. Transfer partners may transfer shelter dogs into their organizations at no cost.

The majority of the dogs available for adoption and transfer were found as strays, as a result the shelter does not have vaccination history. Vaccinations or vaccination history is not included unless otherwise indicated by shelter personnel.

State law requires the Sandusky County Dog Shelter to house dogs for specific time periods prior to the dog's adoption to the public or transfer to a rescue organization. All dogs at the shelter are available for adoption or transfer on or after their available date. Please call the shelter to determine a dog's available date.

501C3 Adoption Requests

Adopters and rescue organizations that have committed to adopting or transferring a dog may submit an adoption/transfer request to the shelter which notifies shelter staff of their interest in adopting or transferring the dog. All adoption/transfer requests are processed in the order in which they are received. The first adopter or rescue to submit a valid adoption/transfer request (Requestor) shall be entitled to the dog.

The Requestor is required to pickup the dog within the following timeframes:

1. On the dog's available date, if the request was submitted on or prior to the available date.
2. On the next day after the request was submitted, if the request was submitted after the available date.

Dogs not picked up within these timeframes will be offerred to the next adopter or rescue having submitted an adoption/transfer request.

501C3 Adoption Requirements

Transfer partners shall implement and maintain a policy requiring all transferred dogs be spayed or neutered prior to being placed into homes, unless health or age preclude the spay or neuter. Dogs that cannot be spayed or neutered shall not be bred.

Transfer partners shall read, complete, sign and date rescue transfer contracts for each dog transferred.

501C3 Adoption Procedure

1. Submit an adoption request.
2. The 501C3 rescue adopting the dog will read, complete and sign the adoption form.
3. The 501C3 rescue shall pick up the dog by the required time.