Adopt A Wire Fox Terrier – Apply To ATRA Today

Thank you for your interest in adopting a Wire Fox Terrier! We appreciate your compassion and for your understanding of a Wire needing placement. There is a saying, “Life is merrier with a second-hand terrier!” We hope that we can be instrumental in finding just the right Wire who will flourish with you and give you many years of joy.

All adoptions through ATRA start with completing and sending an online application. Once submitted, ATRA volunteer, Nancy Smith, will acknowledge receipt and follow-up with possible next steps.

Completing an application is not a guarantee that we will place a dog with you. Before there is a placement, we conduct a home visit (whenever possible). Remember, we do limit adoptions to California although the occasional exception has been made for applicants who have adopted from us before. Home visits generally concentrate on safety and comfort issues, usually tailored to the needs of a particular dog we may have in mind for you.

Adoption Availability — May Change Without Notice

A kenneled rescue looks nervously at a photographer, wondering if this is his new permanent home.

Even if we do not currently have any dogs listed for adoption, this status can change on a moment’s notice. To prepare for this inevitability, ATRA maintains a list of viable applicants. Adoptions are not made based on when an application is received. Rather the process involves matching a dog to both your description of preferences and the needs of the dog.

Read About Some of our Success Stories

Once you apply to ATRA, we like to keep in touch. We also appreciate hearing from you regarding ongoing interest — give us a call every once in a while. Remember that the process of adopting a rescue takes patience! So, once again, we encourage sending us an application even if you are not immediately ready to adopt.

Donations are Appreciated

We receive frequent inquiries about our “adoption fees.” Since we are a non-profit organization, we cannot charge fees per IRS guidelines. However, we are permitted to request donations and suggest a reasonable amount. We believe that a donation of $500 is very reasonable given the amount of money expended for each dog who comes to ATRA before they are adopted.

ATRA immediately visits the vet to assess a dog’s health and to assure that all required/suggested vaccines have been administered. Very few dogs are up to date on their vaccines.
Fecal tests and heartworm tests are conducted and any ailments are addressed.
The dog microchipped – Wires are runners and this has helped many owners relocate lost dogs.
Appropriate flea/heartworm/tick preventatives are administered
A dental exam is conducted. Most dogs need dental care/cleaning which costs a minimum of $1000 even for mild conditions.
All dogs are spayed/neutered, if not yet done.
Any additional specialized care will be given as needed sometimes for the health/life of the dog.

We appreciate your generosity so that we can continue to help any Wire of any condition or age!

Please use this link to start your adoption adventure!

Consider Adopting a Senior

Click on this picture to read the ATRA story about adopting senior dogs.

If you have never owned a Wire Fox terrier or if you are approaching those golden years, we strongly suggest you consider a senior dog. Remember that dogs may qualify as senior by 8-years of age. That is an age when Wires are just getting settled a bit–the whirlwind calms, if not to a gentle breeze, at least to a moderate one!

We frequently hear, “I recently lost my dog, and I want more years before I grieve again.” We understand that feeling because we know the deep bonds that form with a beloved dog.

Adopting a senior usually means having a different perspective. It’s more dog focused than “me” focused. That is, it is not about the time YOU have with the dog, it’s about the time THEY have with you.

And remember, there are no guarantees.