Basset hounds are special creatures. They can be a challenge because their personality and needs are different than most other dogs. Their puppyhood can last for up to three years (one reason to adopt an adult hound). They can be trained but are easily distracted. Remember that they are scent hounds and are always sniffing intriguing odors that may draw away their attention. Please read as much material on bassets as you can.
Complete an adoption application. You do not need to register on the website to complete the form, but we encourage registration so that you can keep track of the hounds you are interested in, enable 'autofill' for any forms you complete and to ensure that we put you on our email distribution list. You'll be sure to receive information on events, fundraising ideas, emergency appeals for help with hounds and volunteer opportunities.
Understand that you may fall in love with a hound you see on our website but there may be potential adoptors who are ahead of you or that particular hound may not be a good fit for your household so keep an open mind. If no hound 'grabs you', continue to visit our website as new hounds become available all too frequently.
One of our volunteers may phone you or visit you in your home. The purpose of this interview is to confirm that you have a safe environment for the hound. We need to know: that you own your own home or that you have the landlord's permission to have a dog, that the dog will be mostly indoors, that the hound will not be allowed to roam offleash (remember that their attention can be diverted) and that everyone (to include other animals) in the home is in favor of the adoption. The main reason for the interview is to get to know YOU and to answer YOUR questions.
Once you select a hound, you will sign the adoption contract and pay the adoption donation. All of the hounds come with up to date vaccinations, spayed/neutered and with a full declaration of any (known) ongoing health problems.
(If you prefer to download a Word2007 version of the adoption application to complete and mail in please click here)
Adoption Donations:
Puppy/Baby up to 1 yr old - $325
1-3 yrs old- $300
4-5 yrs old- $250
6-8 yrs old - $200
9 yrs & older - $150
NOTE-we do ask for an adoption donation. You are not buying the basset hound, but rather are helping defray the cost of caring for all of the hounds that come through our rescue. The average cost of veterinary care for a basset going through GEBR is $375. This covers vaccinations, spay/neuter, heartworm treatment, etc. The adoption donation fee can be claimed as a tax deduction, along with other types of donations you make to us and to other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. Donations in excess of the above amounts are welcomed!
