How to Adopt a Havanese in the United States | PetzLover

Where can you adopt a Havanese?

• Havanese Rescue Inc. (HRI). An independent charity working through state contacts and foster homes. Its dogs live in a foster home for at least two weeks before adoption, so the foster can describe the dog's habits.
• Shelters and animal control. Small dogs are adopted quickly, so check often and ask your local shelter to call you if a Havanese or Havanese mix comes in.
• Adoption listings. See Havanese adoption listings, filter by your state and save the search so new listings reach you by alert.
• The dog's breeder. If you know where a dog came from, the breeder may know of adults needing homes.

Havanese Rescue Inc. says its mission is to rescue purebred Havanese but that, without papers, it sometimes has to identify dogs by sight, so a dog's breed may be a best guess. That matters little for a pet; what matters is the individual dog.

How does the Havanese rescue adoption process work?

1. Fill in the online application. Havanese Rescue Inc. says it is not a commitment to adopt.
2. A state contact reviews it and forwards possible matches to the foster family caring for each dog.
3. The rescue checks four personal references and a vet reference, so warn your vet and friends to expect a call.
4. In most cases you must be present for an in-person home visit, a chance for both sides to ask questions.
5. If approved, you travel to meet and collect the dog; the rescue has a long history of out-of-state adoptions but tries very hard not to ship.

You do not need a yard unless a foster family makes one a condition for a particular dog, but you will be asked how you will handle exercise and bathroom breaks. Shelters vary: some approve on the day, others ask for a meeting with your current dog first.

How much does it cost to adopt a Havanese?

The rescue says its fees help pay for medical checks, vaccinations, a microchip and spay or neuter, and that fees for younger dogs help cover the care of older ones. After adoption, budget for grooming, which Spot Pet Insurance puts at $50 to $100 a session, plus food, parasite prevention and dental care. For the breeder route, see how to buy a Havanese puppy.

What health questions should you ask about an adoptable Havanese?

Rescue dogs rarely come with their parents' test results, so ask about the dog in front of you:

• Hearing. The breed club screens breeding dogs for congenital deafness with a BAER test. Ask whether the dog responds to sounds when it cannot see you, and whether a vet has checked its hearing.
• Eyes. Vetstreet names cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy among Havanese eye problems. Ask about bumping into things or night-time nervousness.
• Knees and legs. Slipping kneecaps and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease are listed by PetMD; short, bowed forelegs are common in the breed. Watch the dog walk and trot.
• Teeth. PetMD calls dental disease common in small breeds like the Havanese, and older rescues often need a cleaning or extractions.
• Coat. A neglected coat may arrive matted and need clipping short before it can grow back.

Is an adopted Havanese a good fit for your home?

The AKC standard describes the Havanese as friendly, playful, alert and intelligent with a sweet, non-quarrelsome nature, and PetMD says the breed usually does well with children and other dogs when supervised and socialized. Its biggest need is company: PetMD warns that some Havanese develop separation anxiety and may not tolerate a crate all day, and Vetstreet says the breed needs company all its life.

That makes Havanese a good choice for retirees, people who work from home and families with someone home most of the day. If you work long hours away, ask the foster how the dog copes alone before you apply.

How do you help an adopted Havanese settle in?

1. Book a vet visit within the first week and bring the rescue's records.
2. Shelters often describe a 3-3-3 pattern: about three days to decompress, three weeks to learn the routine and three months to feel at home. A dog from a puppy mill may need longer.
3. Build up time alone in small steps, from a few minutes to longer stretches, and keep departures calm.
4. Start a short daily brushing session with treats so grooming becomes routine; PetMD advises brushing at least four days a week.
5. Register the microchip in your name; the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup shows which registry holds it.

If you find a Havanese an owner is placing privately, read how to take in a rehomed Havanese. People placing a dog can see how to list a Havanese for adoption.