At Iowa Weimaraner Rescue (IWR), we are committed to changing the world for Weims. To that end, our dogs are our top priority and we want to give them the best chance at a wonderful life. We want you to know:
1. IWR’s service area is Iowa and Minnesota. We will adopt out of state but know that we do not ship dogs. Approved adopters will be asked to meet the dog in his or her current foster home.
2. The application process takes time. We are a volunteer organization and most of our volunteers have full- time jobs. We move things along as quickly as possible. However, it can take several weeks to several months to complete the adoption process. It is in everyone’s best interest that we are thorough and the process is completed correctly. The more specific your adoption criteria (for example: a young female Weim that is child and cat friendly) the longer it may take to fill your request. We take painstaking care to match the right Weim with your family dynamics and lifestyle. Our ultimate goal is to make a successful placement that will result in a lifetime match. We strongly believe the right Weimaraner is worth waiting for!
3. Dogs are not adopted on a first come first served basis. Once you have been approved to adopt, you have the choice of dogs appropriate for your lifestyle and home environment.
4. We do not hold dogs. You cannot pay a deposit to hold a dog. If you see a dog on Facebook or our website that you would like, we cannot guarantee that that particular dog will still be available once your application has been approved.
5. Families with children, please note: For the safety of your children, and the welfare of our dogs, we take special precautions when adopting dogs to families with small children, especially when the family has never owned a Weimaraner. This is to protect both the children and the dog. Weims can be exuberant and easily excitable; children have been knocked to the ground or down stairs as the Weim tries to beat the child to the door, to the car or even to the kitchen. Weims, like any other breed, can be wonderful companions for children. However, this breed also has a low threshold for things such as pulling, pinching, poking and teasing.
Children, especially toddlers, may not understand physical boundaries. They are often similar to the dog in height which puts children at increased risk for injury if a dog reacts. Children may hug too tightly or too long, grab the dog for stabilization when attempting to walk, slap the dog when excited or trying to “pet” them, squeal into a dog’s sensitive ears or want “kisses” when a dog is sleeping. While all these behaviors are very natural for a child, they are behaviors that make dogs uncomfortable.
The Weimaraner is a large, energetic, and demanding sporting dog. Many Weims have a strong prey drive. They are extremely intelligent and loyal dog requiring lifelong mental and physical exercise as well as ongoing training. All breeds of rescued dogs require more time, training, and patience than the average dog. Please be sure your family’s schedule will allow for this. If you have a young family, please think ahead to what your family’s lifestyles will look like as your children age and become involved in extracurricular activities. Will a Weimaraner still fit in that picture? Remember – adopting a Weimaraner is a long-term commitment as the breed has an average lifespan of 12-15 years.
If an IWR Weimaraner still sounds like the right fit for you and your family:
1. Please truthfully complete the online adoption application and be sure to submit it. Personal information will be kept confidential.
2. Your application will be reviewed and references contacted. We will be inquiring about current and past pets: whether or not they were spayed or neutered, vaccination status, heartworm testing, and the use of heartworm, flea, and tick preventative.
3. A phone interview will be conducted after the reference check is complete. This is an opportunity for us to learn more about you, your family, and you’re expectations. It does not guarantee you will be approved to adopt from our rescue.
4. Following a successful interview, a home inspection will be scheduled to ensure that you can provide a safe, loving home where the dog will be treated like a member of the family.
5. We will consider Weims that you have expressed an interest in but know that we may recommend other Weims that better meet your lifestyle, home environment, and family needs. Finding the “right” home for our dogs is top priority.
6. There is a mandatory adoption fee that ranges from $100 to $300. The fee helps defray the cost of veterinary care and other associated expenses.
7. Dogs offered for adoption will be spayed or neutered, will be vaccinated, tested for heartworm within the past 12 months, and receive heartworm, flea and tick preventative. Health certificates will be provided for dogs adopted out of state.