FAQ

+ What are your hours?

The hours for our Adoption Center (100 Bonnabrook Drive) are:

• Monday and Tuesday: Closed
• Wednesday-Friday: 3-7 pm
• Saturday and Sunday: 10 am-3 pm

+ Do I need an appointment to visit the Adoption Center?

You do not need an appointment to visit the Adoption Center. If you’re visiting to meet a dog, we ask you to apply beforehand or upon arrival, as that’s always the first step in our adoption process and is required before meeting dogs.

+ Can I come visit the dogs?

Yes, we welcome potential adopters to stop by during our open hours! You can see which dogs are currently at the Adoption Center by going to the Available Dogs page on our website and using the “Adoption Center” filter. If you plan to visit the center, we ask that you apply beforehand, as that’s always the first step in our adoption process and is required before meeting dogs. Our kennels are not open to the public to protect our pups and keep kennel stress and overstimulation to a minimum.

+ Can I bring my dog to the Adoption Center?

If you’re visiting to meet a dog and hoping to go home with a new furry family member that day, then yes! All household members, including resident dogs, must attend a meet and greet to finalize an adoption.

+ Do you accept in-kind donations?

Yes, we accept unopened food, toys, treats, collars, leashes, bowls, beds, throw blankets (no comforters), and towels. You can drop them off during business hours at the Adoption Center (100 Bonnabrook Drive) or at Love & Exile (715 Main St.) in East Nashville. If you drop off at Love & Exile, there’s a giant white bin in the play yard area for Wags & Walks. They also offer a free glass of wine with any donation, so feel free to ask about that when dropping off.

+ What does my adoption fee include?

Your $450 adoption fee includes spay/neuter, microchip, and vaccines current to the age of the dog/puppy.

+ Do you adopt out of state?

We do! We require out of state adopters to travel to Nashville to meet and pick up their pup. We Understand that's tricky and may be a deal breaker for most.

+ How long does it take to hear back?

We receive a high number of emails daily and do our best to respond to them as quickly as we can. We aim to respond within 1-3 days once an application is submitted. If it’s past that time, you can email adoptnash@wagsandwalks.org with questions regarding a pup's status or your application.

+ Can you hold a dog for me?

Unfortunately, we cannot hold dogs. If you are interested in a specific dog, we encourage you to apply right away. We plan interviews and meet and greets on a first-come, first-serve basis. If we are having an adoption event or the dog you are interested in is at our Adoption Center, we recommend arriving at opening or earlier during open hours for the best chance.

+ I want to adopt, what do I need to do?

The first step is to fill out our online adoption application. Once it's reviewed, we’ll call for a consultation to ensure it's a good match. During this process, you will have ample time to ask questions. If it’s a fit, we will schedule a meet and greet for you to get to know the pup in person. Assuming it goes well, we will then review the adoption contract and provide info to ensure the adoption is as stress-free as possible!

+ I've applied in the past, do I need to re-apply?

If you've submitted an application within the past six months, you can email adoptnash@wagsandwalks.org stating that you've submitted an application in the past. Please be sure to note the name of the dog you'd like to potentially adopt and one of our counselors will be in touch via email.

+ Do you know the history of my new dog?

Unfortunately, many dogs that we save entered the shelter as strays or were surrendered by their owners with little or no information. We do our best to include any information about their history in their profile if it is known. Otherwise, we will always share information about their personalities, health, and training based on how they've done in our program.

+ Do you offer trials?

We don't offer trials. As a foster-based organization, we do our best to keep transitions to a minimum for the dogs. It's in their best interest to have a stable environment and we try to avoid bouncing them around so they have consistency and routine. We offer meet and greets as the final step of the adoption process so applicants can meet and spend time with the dog of interest.

+ Is my adoption fee tax-deductible?

We are a 501c3 non-profit organization so please consult your accountant regarding a potential tax deduction.

+ Do you offer discounted rates?

No, our adoption fee covers the cost of their care and the duration of their stay in our program. It also helps our ability to take in dogs with medical needs like heartworm treatment, dental, blood panels, x-rays, vet specialists, etc., which costs a lot more than that fee covers. We understand that not everyone can afford the fee and encourage people to consider adopting directly from our shelter partners like MACC if our fee is out of budget.

+ Is my dog microchipped?

Yes, we microchip all of our dogs. We will send you information about adding your contact information to the microchip in your adoption details email.

+ What vaccinations do you cover and what schedule do you recommend?

The first round of vaccinations is included in our adoption fee. Everything beyond that is the adopter's responsibility.

• DHPP: Distemper (D)- An airborne virus that effects the lungs, brain, and intestine; Hepatitis (H)- A virus that effects the liver; Parainfluenza (P)- Infectious bronchitis; Parvovirus (P)- A virus that infects the intestines
• Bordetella- A bacterial infection that effects the upper respiratory system, also known as Kennel Cough.
• Rabies- A virus that is fatal to humans and other animals.

Below is the vaccination schedule that we recommend:

• Puppies:

  • Dogs 6-8 weeks: DHPP round 1
  • Dogs 10-12 weeks: DHPP round 2
  • Dogs 14-16 weeks: DHPP round 3

• Annually for dogs of all ages:

  • DHPP (follow up every 3 years)
  • Bordetella (optional, but required for all boarding facilities)
  • Rabies (required)

+ How long is the foster commitment?

We request a minimum two-week commitment from all fosters. However, sometimes there are specific needs for temporary fosters but as a standard we request two weeks to keep transitions to a minimum. We will communicate the timeline in all foster request emails. You will have ample opportunity to communicate your schedule with our Foster team, and we will place you with a dog that fits that schedule. Some dogs only need a temporary home for 3-5 days, while others might need 2-4 weeks. There are various reasons why one of our dogs will need a foster and those reasons oftentimes determine the length of stay. For example, if a dog has medical injury chances are they are going to need a longer-term foster home.

+ I have my own dog, can I still foster?

Yes, you can still foster with a resident dog as long as your dog is up to date on vaccines and is spayed/neutered. You won’t be able to meet your foster dog in advance but Wags & Walks will always make a conscious effort to match you with a foster that we feel both you and your dog could do well with. Our team will help you take all necessary steps to ensure you and the dogs stay safe and comfortable.

+ Do I get to choose my foster dog?

For the most part, yes! You are welcome to respond to a foster request with the pup(s) you are most interested in fostering. Our team will strategically match you with a foster dog based on your application. We take your preference for age/breed/size in consideration before matching you with a dog. Our ultimate goal is to find the best foster home for our dogs based on what we know about them and what we know about you via your application.

+ Can I foster if I have a full-time job?

Absolutely! As long as you are committed to making sure your foster pup gets a substantial break throughout the work day to get some exercise and food/water. We are happy to work with fosters who have a variety of lifestyles and careers. We ask that dogs are not left in their crates for longer than 3-4 hours at a time without an exercise break. If you don't have a long lunch break, we will ask that you arrange a friend or family member to help care for the dog while you're at work.

+ Can I foster if I live in an apartment?

Absolutely! We have plenty of fosters who live in apartments. We will do our best to match you with a pup that may do well in that type of environment. Please review your lease agreements prior to fostering your first foster dog to familiarize yourself with any pet policies and verify whether there are any breed restrictions

+ What if I want to adopt my foster dog?

If you find that you cannot part with your foster dog and would like to adopt (we call that “foster failing”), please let our Foster team know ASAP. If there is already a meet-and-greet scheduled or in the works, we must honor that. If not, you can go through the normal adoption process of filling out the online application and speaking to our Adoption Team to make sure it is a perfect match for you and your foster pup. Once a dog is available for adoption we cannot hold them, even for foster parents.

+ Do you provide supplies?

Wags and Walks Nashville will provide you with the following supplies: Crate or kennel (for keeping dogs safe and out of trouble while you’re away and to help with house-training), dog bed, blankets, or towels for a comfortable place to sleep. Food and treats, bowls, collar and leash, chew toys, appropriate to the size and age of your dog or puppy. Please be sure you are always supervising your foster dog if they have access to a bone. We want to avoid choking hazards! Poop bags and potty training pads for young puppies

+ Will vet care be required?

We can’t always predict what care a dog may need, but there are some things that most, if not all, of our pups receive while in foster care. This includes basic oral medications that they will receive at home, including dewormers, monthly preventatives, and antibiotics. Some pups may also require at least one vaccine while in foster care. In order for your foster dog to receive their vaccine, we will ask you to visit one of our vet partners. If your dog needs to visit the vet while in your care, we will do our best to work within your availability. If you cannot bring your foster dog to their vet visit, we can reach out to our volunteer drivers to see if they're able to assist. All veterinary care must be approved by Wags & Walks staff. Unapproved veterinary appointments will not be paid for by Wags & Walks.

+ Does Wags & Walks cover vet bills?

Wags & Walks covers all essential vet costs for our dogs, and we have several vet partners in the Nashville area who work with us to provide them with the best possible care. All medical expenses and vet visits must be approved by Wags & Walks staff.

+ Will my foster dog be potty trained?

The truth is, we just don’t know! It’s impossible to test this out in a shelter environment, so it’s important to be comfortable with a bit of uncertainty before bringing your foster pup home. Remember, our team will guide you through any questions and share appropriate resources you might need.

+ What type of support will I receive?

Every foster parent is given our foster phone line to text our foster team for one-on-one support. All foster parents are also invited to join our private Instagram page with training tips and resources and our Foster Facebook group - a community in which you can share photos, experiences, and ask advice from seasoned foster parents. You will also receive our comprehensive foster handbook after completing our application process and onboarding call.

+ Can my child volunteer?

Children 15+ are more than welcome to walk dogs alone, as long as they and a parent have signed a Volunteer Release of Liability form for minors. Children under 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult at all times and the adult is responsible for leash handling. Children under 15 are also welcome to play with the dogs off leash in a designated area.

+ If I don't have experience can I still volunteer in Wags Club?

Yes, of course! All volunteers go through a training (which we call a “Shadow Shift”), during which you are paired with a seasoned volunteer or staff member, who will show you the ropes. Volunteers are welcome to shadow others until they are comfortable on their own. Additionally, we offer training workshops for volunteers who are interested in building their handling skills.

+ Can I bring my dog to orientation or while I volunteer?

Unfortunately, no. In order to keep you and the dogs safe, we ask that you please do not bring your personal pet onsite to Wags & Walks.