NEARR

What should I do before applying for a dog?

Before applying, be sure to do the following:

• Read NEARR's policies. If you are unable or unwilling to conform to these policies, then in most cases we will be unable to proceed with your application.
• Read about NEARR's adoption process.
• Make sure that you live in our adoption region. NEARR adopts dogs to applicants located in the following states only:
  • Massachusetts: All counties excluding Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket
  • New Hampshire: Merrimack, Rockingham, Sullivan, Cheshire, Strafford and Hillsborough counties only
  • Vermont: Bennington, Rutland, Windham, Windsor counties only
  • Maine: York and Cumberland counties only
  • Rhode Island: All counties excluding Block Island
  • Connecticut: Hartford, Windham, New London, and Tolland counties only
• Have an email account. We communicate with you mainly using email, therefore you must have an email account. There are various free services (such as Yahoo) which can provide you with free email accounts.

Applications are accepted only over the web. Unfortunately, because we are an all-volunteer organization, we do not have the time to process written applications. If you do not have a computer, try a local library or ask for a neighbor or friend's help.

How do I submit an application?

To submit an application do the following:

• Send a $25 application donation to NEARR. (Note that applications are not processed until application payment is received). This donation does not guarantee anything and is non-refundable. This donation helps defray the costs of the placement program. You can pay the donation in one of two ways:
  • (click here)
    After paying via PayPal, you will be brought back to the NEARR application. If you have any problems paying online or submitting an application, please contact with details of the problem.
  • Via check, mailed to:

    North East All Retriever Rescue
    P.O. Box 756
    Wellfleet, MA 02667-0756
    

• Fill out our online adoption application. This process takes a while, so please be patient.

NOTE: NEARR reserves the right to decline any application. Application donations are non-refundable.

How long will it take for me to adopt a dog?

NEARR is run entirely by volunteers. Because we do not have a paid staff, the speed at which our process occurs depends on the availability of our volunteers. We encourage you to fill out your application with a specific type of dog. While you may express interest in a specific dog, we do not guarantee that you will be able to adopt that dog. Instead we matched applicants up with the appropriate dog based on our knowledge and experience. Please note that during the summer months, many of our all-volunteer staff are taking well-deserved vacations. As a result, the applications process is often slower at this time. Please be patient! Thank you.

Please remember that not all homes qualify for a NEARR dog. That does not imply that those homes are not good for some other breed or dogs from some other venue. Rescued retrievers have specific needs.

The length of time from applying to adopting a dog depends on your circumstances. For people with small children, multiple other pets, first time adopters, or no fence, the process can take a long time. The shortest adoption ever took the family 2 weeks. For a highly motivated, experienced household without small children, with a fence, interested in a young male lab, the average time is probably 2 months.

NOTE: There is a non-refundable adoption donation of $275 that is due in full when you finalize an adoption.