Adoption Application

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Step 1:   Please read 'Is a Coonhound Right for You?' at the bottom of this page before pursuing adoption.

Step 2:  We need to know about you.  

If applying for a Beagle follow this link:
https://ws.ishelters.com/application.php?k=coonhOUnd&t=Beagle%20Adoption 

If applying for a Coonhound, send us an email with the following information:

Your name, address, members of your family and their ages.
Email and phone number.

Current pets at home, their gender, breed and age.  Have you ever owned a coonhound or beagle ?
Your vet's name and phone number;  name and contact info for a personal reference.

Your schedule of work or other commitments.  Is anyone home during the day?  Who will be primary caretaker for dog?

Your home and yard:  single-family, condo, apartment?  Do you have a fenced yard?  How high is the fence ?  How will you exercise your dog?

Why do you want a coonhound or beagle?

Age, gender and type  ( Black and Tan, Redbone, Blue-tick, Treeing Walker, Red Tick ) of coonhound wanted.

Please email to Iwantahounddog@gmail.com

Step 3:  Let's Talk!  One of our volunteers will contact you.  If you are unfamiliar with the coonhound breeds, we can arrange a meet and greet with a coonhound if you'd like.  You can also expect us to do a home visit, as well as a personal reference check and a vet check if you own other animals.

Step 4:  Our adoption fees are as follows:     
                                          Puppies ( up to 1 yr old):       $  450.
                                          Adults 1 to 8                              400.
                                          Adults 9 - Senior                       300.
                  Adoption fees include:
                  Spay/neuter (for dogs over 6 months)
                  Rabies, Distemper and Kennel cough vaccines
                  Testing heartworm and tick born diseases (treated if necessary)
                  Examination by a veterinarian
                  Health certificate
                  Micro chip
                  Transport north
                  Mandatory 48 hours in a Massachusetts quarantine

Is a Coonhound Right for You?

Please do your research before adopting a coonhound. Like any breed, they have their own distinct qualities and are not right for everybody.

Coonhounds make great family dogs; they're usually very good with kids and other dogs. They're difficult to annoy and can take all the petting an affection you can provide.

Consider your living situation. Containment is the major issue for hounds, who were bred to wander and hunt.  They need a fenced yard or must be taken for a long walk on a leash daily. They cannot be reliably trained in recall.  They are often not good dogs to leave in an apartment or condo if you work all day.

Coonhounds are generally pretty humble and laid back. They don't have much of an 'attitude' and will have you laughing at their clownish antics.

Coonhounds have a loud, low bark. They are usually not incessant barkers like toy breeds and some terriers. They are not necessarily watch dogs, but will warn of intruders by barking. Because they can be loud, they are not the best dogs in dense living situations.

As athletic, outdoorsy dogs, coonhounds are great companions for running, walking and hiking.

Some coonhounds will regard cats or toy breeds of dogs as prey. If you have small animals, you'll need to test out any coonhounds you are considering.

Coonhounds can be difficult to train because of their strong hunting instincts. Patience, and a firm, consistent approach to training is necessary.

Little maintenance is required with the coonhound coat; it's short and an occasional brushing or bath is all that's needed.