Adopting
a CMLRN Lab
Let's
recap. You are interested in adding a new family member
to your household. You have done your research, you
know how much time and work a dog (especially a lab)
requires. You are getting a dog for the right reasons,
and not for a present or a Christmas gift (which we
would not allow anyways). You find a dog that you
think you like on our websites (either here or Petfinder).
What do you do next?
BEFORE YOU PICK UP THE PHONE OR SEND US AN
EMAIL:
Fill out an application
and fax
it to (989) 774-1536.
We are working on an online version soon.
This
is a PDF file so you will need 
in order to
review and print this form.
NEXT, EXPECT THIS TO
HAPPEN AND THINGS TO DO:
1.) Wait a few days for a phone call from a CMLRN
representative.
Please remember, we have other
full time jobs that are not in rescue so it may take
us a little bit to get back with you.
2.) Ask any questions you have about the process then.
The calling rep will ask you a few questions reguarding
your application.
This is an informal "get to
know you" call. We just want to know why you
are looking for a dog.
3.) Call your VET and tell them it's OKAY to talk
to us when we do a vet reference. Also tell your references
that we will be calling them.
It makes it hard for us to ask
questions when people are not aware that we will be
calling them. Get permission first.
4.) If the intial references pan out, WE WILL CALL
YOU BACK AND SCHEDULE A HOMEVISIT.
We will come to your home to do
a face to face interview and either bring the dog
that you are interested in adopting or one of our
own family pets. Everyone who will be the primary
care takers of the dog will need to be there.
5.) We will discuss your application with the board
of directors of CMLRN.
All of the officers will discuss
your case and determine if your family is a fit for
the dog in question.
6.) We will approve or deny your application based
on the application, references and homevisit.
7.) If approved, we make arrangements for you to come
and sign contracts and pick up your new family member!
8.) You will ALWAYS be a part of CMLRN. And we expect
alot of updates and new photos. These dogs were a
part of our family too and we like to see how they
turn out!
IMPORTANT THINGS TO
TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION:
1.) You MUST be PATIENT.
This process usually doesn't take
more than a few days; however, sometimes, our personal
commitments and work can extend the process by a few
days.
2.) We review applications on a FIRST COME, FIRST
SERVE basis.
As the applications, come in, we
go to work on them. If the first applicant is not
the right fit for a particular dog, we move on to
the second application. The ONLY exception to this
rule is if there is an out of state applicant first
and an in-state applicant that are equally qualified,
we will usually ALWAYS adopt to the in-state applicant
even if they applied after the out of state family.
Long distance transports are rough on the dog.
3.)
If you don't hear from us in a few days after submitting
your application, please call and check up on it.
We may have not have received it.
4.)
Don't call every day checking on your status.
Pushiness is stressful and will
do no good but re-evaluate your application.
5.) If
you end up getting a dog from somewhere else, please
let us know ASAP so we don't waste additional man
hours trying to schedule a homevisit and approving
your application.
It's called courtesy.
6.) Do your homework.
Start by reading everything you
can about raising a lab properly. Being prepared is
the best thing you can do for your dog.
We
hope that helps put into perspective our process.
We are thorough and want to make sure we make the
best decision for both the family and the dogs.
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