Adoptable Dogs

Adopting from Second Start Rescue

Thank you for choosing to adopt! At Second Start Rescue, our mission is to ensure every dog has the best chance at a long, happy, and healthy life. We adopt to families across the United States and would consider Canada for the right home.

Adoption Fees

Under 1 year: $450
1–4 years: $400
5–7 years: $300
7+ years: $250

Your adoption fee helps cover veterinary care, spay/neuter (for dogs over six months), vaccinations (including rabies), and transportation costs, ensuring every dog is ready for their forever home. Thank you for supporting rescue!

Click Here for Adoption Application

Adoption Requirements

To support our mission of providing the best possible start for each dog, we have a few key requirements for adopters to follow. These guidelines protect your new family member, your existing pets, and your community.

Spaying or Neutering

By law, all dogs adopted from us must be spayed or neutered unless a valid exemption is provided by a licensed veterinarian (e.g., health concerns or age). Additionally, adopters’ own pets must also be spayed or neutered unless a valid exemption is provided.

In specific cases where there is no risk of unplanned litters, exceptions may be granted for intact pets already in the adopter’s household:

If you have an intact male dog, you may only adopt a male dog or a spayed female from us.
If you have an intact female dog, you may only adopt a female dog or a neutered male from us.

This policy ensures compliance with legal requirements, promotes the health and safety of all pets, and prevents unintentional breeding.

Vaccinations

Our dogs are vaccinated with core vaccines to minimize exposure risks in a rescue setting, including rabies. We also require that your own pets are current on their vaccinations, particularly DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza). Rabies vaccination is mandatory in accordance with state and local laws.

While all adopted dogs receive initial core vaccines, we encourage adopters to work with their veterinarians to develop long-term vaccination plans that balance immunity with overall health.

Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Prevention

Texas dogs face significant risks from heartworm disease, which is why we require adopters to commit to a minimum of two years of heartworm prevention following adoption. This timeline ensures comprehensive protection, as the heartworm cycle takes time to yield accurate test results and detect any exposure.

Heartworm testing is also an essential part of your dog's health care:

Puppies under six months: Test at six months and again at one year of age.
Adult dogs: Annual testing is required.

Your pets should also be regularly tested for tick-borne illnesses, particularly if monthly preventatives are not used. While conventional preventatives are highly effective, we support exploring holistic approaches to parasite prevention and encourage adopters to choose what works best for their pets' needs.

Learn more about our approach to treating Heartworm Disease here.

Holistic and Homeopathic Care

At Second Start Rescue, we believe in an individualized approach to each dog's well-being. We are integrating holistic and homeopathic care practices, working alongside energy healers and holistic veterinarians to address the specific needs of every dog.

Our goal is to extend longevity and improve quality of life by reducing unnecessary exposure to drugs, toxins, and environmental stressors. While all dogs receive core vaccines and essential preventative care to protect their health, we are actively exploring natural remedies for long-term protection, including heartworm prevention tailored to the challenges Texas dogs face.

By combining traditional veterinary care with holistic practices, we strive to provide every dog with the care they need to thrive while empowering adopters with knowledge about options that align with their values and their dog's unique needs.

Why These Requirements Matter

Our adoption policies prioritize prevention to ensure the health and safety of every dog in our care. By adhering to these guidelines, you’re giving your new pet the best start in their new home while fostering a safe environment for all pets they may encounter.

Thank you for being part of the rescue journey and for giving a dog the second chance they deserve!

Website Under Construction

Thank you for your patience as we build our new website! In the meantime, you can join our Adoptable Dogs of Second Start Rescue Facebook group to see the incredible dogs currently looking for their forever homes. Stay connected with our mission, share in the stories of these amazing animals, and help us spread the word! Together, we can make a difference.