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BEFORE YOU ADOPT
Congratulation! You are taking the first steps toward rescuing a wonderful, deserving Boxer. To ensure a positive experience it's best that everyone involved get the big picture of bringing a new dog into your home, before you adopt. Read on for helpful tips on making a new dog’s transition to your life and home as smooth as possible. It's always better to be prepared.
Is A Boxer Right For You?
Boxer lovers agree that once you have lived with a Boxer you will always want one as part of your life. For those of you who are new to the wonderful world of Boxers, you are in for the best dog on earth. But make sure it’s the best dog for you and your lifestyle. Click the links for general Boxer profiles.
About Boxers
Is a Boxer Right for You?
What is the BRLA adoption process?
Any and all visitors to our facility are first screened and approved via the ADOPTION APPLICATION before meeting dogs in person. When approved we try to schedule your visit for the upcoming weekend. We schedule adoption appointments on Saturday from 11 to 5pm and Sunday from 12 to 5pm. When scheduled you are emailed a detailed document with directions, what to bring and what to expect on your visit.
Any resident dogs must be spayed or neutered before adopting a BRLA Boxer.
All members of the family come to the adoption appointment (this means dogs, kids, etc.) so we can insure a good match with everyone involved.
You will work one on one with a BRLA matchmaker at our facility helping you find the perfect fit for your life and home.
Our Boxers are ready to go home with you on adoption day, providing a match is made. So come prepared to bring your new family member home! With the high turn over rate of adoptions at BRLA it is not fair to hold dogs so come prepared to fall in love and bring a Boxer home!
How do I choose the right Boxer?
No doubt you have viewed the BRLA "Available Dogs" pages and are drawn to certain Boxers. BRLA has an amazing crew of volunteers that work with our Boxers and get to know their personality, activity level, social skills and a general feel for each Boxer. Your application gives us a window into your life style to see which Boxers would be good matches. There are many factors to consider in finding the right fit. We work with what you are looking for and who would be the best candidate for a lifetime match. This is where BRLA shines as our team does an amazing job of helping you finding the perfect match!
How much is the adoption donation?
Before Boxers are ready for adoption they are sterilized, their shots are brought up-to-date and are micro-chipped. Our minimum adoption donation is $250 and covers these expenses and kennel operation costs. Many people donate more, when they see our massive operation in person and just how many deserving dogs BRLA saves from certain death. We are funded solely by private donation. All donations are tax deductible and can be made by Visa- MasterCard - Debit Card or cash.
What do I need for my new Boxer?
When you visit BRLA and find the right Boxer, your dog will be going home with you that day.
You should be prepared to welcome your new family member into your home with everything they will need. Here is a list of the bare minimum you should have before you bring you new Boxer home:
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- Leash (we recommend a six foot leash)
- Collar (we recommend martingale type collars)
- ID tag (even a temporary one is okay but you need one ASAP)
- Dog Bed (Costco has great beds at rock bottom prices)
- Crate (optional but the absolute best tool for housebreaking and getting use to a new home)
- Dog Food
What kind of dog food do you recommend?
When you adopt a BRLA Boxer our volunteers will go over feeding your dog in great detail. In general we tell everyone that the best investment in your new Boxer is the absolute best quality food you can afford. There are many brands we recommend, but we do not advise buying huge bags in advance as your new dog may not eat them. Most will eat anything but sometimes it can be trial and error. One thing we feel strongly about is NO GROCERY STORE FOOD (Purina, Pedigree, etc) as there are too many fillers, preservatives and toxins. If you see corn mentioned in the first five ingredients do not feed to a Boxer. Also after the recent deadly pet food contamination crisis, avoid any pet food products from China. Only feed your new Boxer a high quality commercial dog food or home cook for your dog.
Is everyone prepared for the new arrival?
At BRLA we will do everything possible to match you up with a Boxer that will fit into your lifestyle and everyone included in your life. If your home includes other dogs, cats or kids of any age, it is best to be prepared to follow some basic integration guidelines to insure a smooth transition. It can take a little time and a little effort but knowing what to do and what NOT TO DO will make things much easier. We cannot stress enough how important the first few days and weeks are to a smooth integration.
Click the links below for successful integration tips that apply to you.
Is my home ready for a new Boxer?
Boxers are clever and they are fantastic athletes. Please make sure all gates, doors and fences are in good working order. Repair and secure before you bring a new Boxer home.
Many a Boxer has let themselves out a gate latch they have figured out. Many a Boxer has let themselves out a fence that is is disrepair or has a low or weak spot. You do not want your new boxer lost or injured before they become accustom to your home. Make sure you Boxer will be safe and secure in your home & yard.
What about Health Issues
BRLA treats health issues that are apparent when Boxers arrive or conditions that develop during their time at our facility. Sometimes owners that relinquish their Boxers to us share all medical history and we always pass on that information to the new adopters. Dogs that we pull from city shelters come without much history and we must evaluate visually from experience. BRLA will always divulge any conditions that are known. With more than 120 Boxer in our care it is fiscally impossible to give blood test and x-rays to all dogs that cross our doors. We do our very best to recognize any issues treat them and pass that information along to new owner. Most dogs have come from good home that treated them well and it’s rarely a health issue that is the cause of their abandonment.
What we want you to be aware of are the very common temporary condition that affect many dogs in communal living environments: kennels, boarding facilities, etc. Kennel Cough and Diarrhea/Giardia are easily spread but also easily treated. Your new Boxer may or may not have been exposed so please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these common and very treatable temporary conditions.
Make sure your resident dog is current with shots, expecially bortatella before visiting BRLA.
Click on link for Common Heath Issues.
Click on link for Kennel Cough
What do I do after I bring my new dog home?
The main thing to remember is that BRLA stands behind all adopted Boxers and provides post-adoption follow ups to ensure any questions are answered and any issues are addressed. Trainers are available to provide the tools you need for any adjustments to your home aw well. You can study up on the most common questions people have about bringing a new dog home. Click on the links to get detailed information.
The Best Advice from K-9 Joe:
BRLA is fortunate to have Joe Ramirez (K-9 Joe) as our in-house trainer. K-9 Joe has decades of experience with Boxers and is an amazing trainer using calm assertive leadership with great success. K-9 Joe has compiled the top ten things you should do after you adopt. Click the link below for some of the most important information you need before you adopt.
The 10 Commandments of Bringing a New Dog Home.
All of us at Boxer Rescue LA are excited to help you find the next love of your life.
Thank you for wanting to save a Boxer's life.
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