With all of the excitement of taking home a new companion we also are guilty of failing to ask ourselves why we want a pet in the first place? Adopting a pet just because it’s “the things to do” or because the kids have been wanting a puppy usually ends up being a big mistake in some cases. Don’t forget that dogs may be with you for 10+ years!

Dogs and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you’re tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship everyday of every year. Many animals from the shelters are there because their owners didn’t provide the time and care for their pet.

The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, veterinary care, grooming, toys, and other expenses add up quickly!

Many rental communities don’t allow pets and most of the rest have pet and breed restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home.

You’ll need either reliable family, friends, and/or neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting services.

Obeying community leash and licensing laws and keeping identification tags on your pets are all a part of being a responsible owner. Of course giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, training, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.

Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime.

Apply for the puppy/dog you’re interested in- Please read the bio of the puppy/dog that you’re interested in first to ensure that this puppy/dog will fit in with your lifestyle prior to filling out an adoption application.

Adoption application: Apply to adopt

Phone interview- Once we receive your application and decide to move forward, please wait 3-5 days for our adoption coordinator to reach out to you. From there, we will ask a series of questions regarding the dog you applied for. During the phone interview, we will also go over everything regarding the dog you applied for (health concerns, behavioral issues (if any), their personality, how they will be in a home setting, etc.) to make sure we go over a full disclosure so potential adopters are aware of the dog they are applying for.

Meet and greet- During the phone interview, our adoption coordinator will set up a time/place to schedule a meet and greet with the puppy/dog you applied for. A meet and greet ensures the puppy/dog you applied for is the pawfect match! We ask that during meet and greets please ALWAYS let the dog approach and sniff you first!

If you are bringing your dog with you we have careful instructions on dog to dog introductions.

Bringing your dog with you during the meet and greet? If you’re planning to bring your doggy companion to a meet and greet please allow us to make it a slow and careful introduction. Both dogs need to be kept on a leash by walking across the street from each other first, slowly building up to an introduction making sure we allow both dogs to have enough space to get adjusted to one another. For more details, read “Introducing Dogs to Each Other.”

In addition, make sure to bring that high-value treats during the walk to praise each dog to make it a positive interaction!

Please be mindful- we are a volunteer run team so please value the time we take to set aside for meet and greets. Our volunteers make sure to take time out of their busy day to attend meet and greets so please be mindful and courteous of their time. We understand things come up, so please reach out to us 48 hours in advance if you can no longer attend the meet and greet.

Home check- One of our adoption coordinators will schedule a day/time that works best for both parties to do a home check. This can also be done the same day as the meet & greet. We understand that home checks can seem like an awkward thing but it’s a requirement for the adoption process in order to move forward with finalizing the adoption. We want to ensure each home is equipped to provide a comfortable space for your brand new companion.

Adoption trial- We like to offer our potential adopters a 7-10 day adoption trial as an option before finalizing adoption. We have seen great results with adoption trials running a lot smoother rather than just placing a rescue dog into someone’s home and with the risk of adopters possibly changing their minds about being fully committed to the dog they applied for. Adoption trials allow potential adopters to make sure they are fully committed to the dog before finalizing the adoption.

Sign adoption contract/pay adoption fee- the last and final step of the adoption process is for the adoption coordinator to go over the adoption contract with adopters to ensure secure adoption before the dog will be under a new ownership. The adoption coordinator will go over the adoption contract to ensure adopters have a clear understanding that they will be taking the entire responsibility and ownership for life. The adoption contract is a legal binding that ensures that both parties are in agreement that the dog/dogs are being transferred to a permanent ownership.

Adoption fees help to offset funds for the rescue. Whatever funds are raised from adoption fees go towards vet fees, supplies, training, and any emergent needs that may arise.

Below is a general idea of our adoption rates. Please remember, each dog is unique and special in their own ways. Some dogs come with great temperaments that love ALL dogs and some dogs need extra TLC and may be dog selective. All dogs that are in our rescue vary on their adoption “price point” and we also take into account our adoption prices based on each dog's temperament/behaviors, breed, prey drive, behavior modifications, etc.

Adoption fees

$500- Puppies 0-5 Months

$450- Puppies 5 Months - 1 Year’s Old

$250-300- Dogs 2-5 Years

$200-250- Dogs 5-9 Years

$200 - Dogs 9 Years +

Fees for dogs with special needs will be determined based upon circumstances and may result in a fee reduction. If the dog isn’t fixed at the time of adoption (due to being too young to be altered), a reimbursement of $100 will be granted to the adopter with proof of spay/neuter certificate.

-Along with daily care costs, the adoption fees help Mahina's Ohana Rescue cover vaccination and medical prep costs for the dogs. At adoption, Mahina's Ohana Rescue dogs will be current on their vaccines and will have the following:

• Rabies (1 yr. or 3 yr.)

• Distemper (DHLPP or DHLPP-C)

• Bordetella

• Negative Heartworm

• Lyme's, Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis Test (If relevant)

• Lyme Vaccine (If relevant)

• Spayed or Neutered (if not already altered at time of adoption, appointment will be scheduled and confirmed with adopter)

• Micro-chipped

• A brand new slip lead & collar

• One free training session with our certified balanced dog trainer & a lifetime of training support at a discounted rate

• A year follow-up with our certified balance dog trainer

We accept adoption fees through either Venmo, Paypal, or Zelle.

Venmo- Mahinasohanarescue

PayPal- Mahinasohanarescue@gmail.com

Zelle- 5034514334 (Jackie Ulloa)

No! We are open to adopters who can adequately exercise our dogs without needing a backyard (walking, hiking, enrichment times, training).

Yes! As long as it’s a good fit for both the dog and the family, we aren’t opposed to out-of-state adoptions. Transportation fees apply for out-of-state adopters.