Adoption Information and FAQ's
Please be aware that Great Plains Pointer Rescue does not adopt dogs outside the continental United States and also ask you to contact your local shelters/rescues first if you are outside the Midwestern area. There are so many adoptable dogs throughout the United States waiting for their forever homes. Please consider giving a local dog its forever home. If you would like information about contacting a rescue in your area, please send us an email to tonsipl@gmail.com
Top Questions Asked
"How is rescue different from a shelter?"
ANSWER: We are a network of non paid volunteers that take these dogs into our home. They live with families to be evaluated. We learn to know EVERYTHING we can about them. Their pros, cons, weaknesses, strengths, habits, behavior and much more. They do not spend their days in kennels. They receive training and interaction. When one has a question about a dog, we have the answer. Our ethics for adoption are high, and we relay all information we know about any of our dogs so there are no surprises. Our foster families genuinely love the breed and and care for their foster dogs. They are there to provide answers for adopters questions.
"Why do we need to complete an application?"
ANSWER: We take adoption seriously. Most dogs in our program have already been bounced from home to home, left on their own, or surrendered to a shelter. We are not here to judge families, we are here to help you find the right companion. Please remember, we do not know you, or your lifestyle. Our application helps us to gather the information needed to help you find a comparable dog for your family. Great Plains Pointer Rescue is Nebraska and Iowa State Licensed and a 501c3 Non Profit Organization. We require your resident pets to be current with their vaccinations.
"Where do your dogs come from?"
ANSWER: Some from shelters & some are strays. Because a dog is in rescue, does not mean it has a lot of issues, it just does not have, or is in need, of a home. It is also always good to check with us if your dog is lost. Most times we are called when a Pointer shows up somewhere in NE and IA.
"Can your dogs hunt?" ANSWER: Some are hunters, others can be gun shy and are best as family companions. They are in rescue for a home and we do not guarantee hunting dogs.
"Do we have to spay or neuter?"
ANSWER: Yes! All of our adult dogs will be spayed or neutered before adoption placement. Puppies will require proof at appropriate age from a vet.
"What about Cat's?"
ANSWER: Pointing Breeds were bred to hunt. They can view many types of animals, including cats, as prey. Unless they are raised with cat's, extreme caution should be taken. This is not a behavior that can be changed easily.
"What are the adoption fee's?"
ANSWER: Our adoption fee's vary by age and are usually the cost of vetting to us, (or less) and are reasonable. While some dogs arrive with more serious conditions such as tumors or heart worm disease, we scale all adoption fee's so that are adoptions are equal. We are an IRS non profit organization and all funds received are applied 100% back into our program the for the future care of dogs which may include serious vetting issues, boarding, food, toys, crates, heart worm preventative, flea/tick preventative, and other needs. Our program is also kept alive by donations from breed lovers.
GPPR is there for many abandoned Pointers, and Senior's are no exception. Our Senior Dog Program (see tab to the left) involves a discounted adoption donation for adopters, annual check ups covered by GPPR, and if a senior citizen adopts a senior dog, there is no charge. This program applies to the dogs in our care that are over the age of 8 years.
The adoption will also include NE sales tax of 7%
"What medical care do the dogs receive?"
ANSWER: All of our dogs see veterinarians for exams, spays/neuters, vaccinations, heart worm tests, and health checks. Vetting records are provided to the adoptive families. We do ask that the adopted dog be seen by your vet within 7 days of an adoption. Because of varying veterinarian opinions, we make no guarantees as to what an adopters vet may recommend after adoption and heed the opinions of our own veterinarians.
"What happens if our adopted Pointer is not working out?"
ANSWER: Adopting is a big commitment. The dog you are interested in should always meet your current pets and other family members prior to adoption. GPPR encourages signing up for an obedience class. If there are other issues, we ask that you contact a personal dog trainer to help you. If issues cannot be resolved through classes or a trainer, then we need to be contacted to make arrangements for the dog to be returned.
It is the owner’s obligation to safely house the dog until a foster home is available or another permanent home is found. Once we find a home, the owners/adopters will need to make the arrangements to return the dog to GPPR.
We do not guarantee a dog's behavior in an adoptive home.
"What should we do to prepare for our new family member?"
1. It is HIGHLY recommended you get a crate. This is where your new friend can rest and relax, and a great place for them to be if left unattended.
2. Ask the foster what kind of food they have been eating.
3. Have some raw hides and chew toys on hand
4. Prepare for the unexpected. Remember a new dog has to adjust to any situation. Allow them to adjust on their time line.
5. Ask questions about current routine's, potty times, eating schedules, how much food, etc. Please take a moment and read about the pointing breeds.
Note: Our dogs are to be inside companions, only unless we receive an older dog that has lived outside his or her entire life; do we look at an exception, and still require the dog to be in a housed area at night and in extreme cold or heat conditions.
"Ok, we found a dog we would like to meet, now what?"
ANSWER: If you have not already done so, please review and complete the adoption application. Once received, we will contact you to make an appointment. If you are not familiar with the breed, please research and make sure this is a fit for you and your family. Gather all of your questions in preparation for the meeting.
"Do Pointing breeds shed?"
ANSWER: Yes. They benefit from regular brushing.
"We own a Pointer and need help with training, can you help us?
ANSWER: We can do a consultation with you to better access the situation. Some issues can be more complicated. We can make an appointment with you via home visit or phone conversation. We do have reasonable rates. Email greatplains@cox.net with the details of the issues and to make an appointment.
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