Our adoption policies are in place to ensure our adopted dogs have the best possible chance of success in their forever home. Please review the below policies and ensure you are able to follow them prior to applying to adopt!

• Adopters must be at least 21 years of age.

• Adopted dogs must live as indoor pets only.

• Adopted dogs must be taken to the veterinarian within three weeks of adoption. All Nirvana Animal Rescue dogs receive basic vetting upon intake to the rescue and will come to adopters up to date on age-appropriate vaccines, up to date on monthly flea/tick and heartworm prevention, microchipped, and spayed/neutered if age-appropriate.

• If adopting a puppy under six months of age, the adopter is responsible for getting the adopted dog spayed/neutered by six months of age and providing proof to Nirvana Animal Rescue. Please note there are ZERO exceptions to this policy. Failure to follow this policy will result in Nirvana Animal Rescue taking the animal back under our care.

• All current animals in the home must be spayed/neutered, to date on their rabies and distemper vaccines, heartworm test, annual wellness exam, and receive monthly flea/tick and heartworm prevention. Please ensure your animal is up to date PRIOR to applying to adopt, as failure to pass your veterinarian reference could result in denial of your adoption application.

• Adopted dogs must remain up to date on their rabies and distemper vaccines, heartworm test, annual wellness exam, and receive monthly flea/tick and heartworm prevention in their adopted home. Nirvana Animal Rescue reserves the right to follow-up with adopters if we have any reason to believe the adopted dog is not receiving appropriate care.

• Nirvana Animal Rescue highly encourages adopters to work with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist within three months of adoption. Professional training is one of, if not the most, important factor in helping the adopted dog transition into its new home, and enrolling in training sets the adopted dog up for success. It also strengthens the bond between the adopted dog and its new owner in the first few months. We recommend training for everyone, from first-time adopters to repeat adopters!

• Nirvana Animal Rescue does NOT adopt littermates out together. We only adopt out one dog at a time, unless the dogs are part of a bonded pair.

• Nirvana Animal Rescue does not hold our dogs. Applying does NOT guarantee that you will adopt your dog of choice. We can’t promise that the dog you applied for will be available at the end of the approval process. We will , however, work with you on identifying a good fit for your household!

• If approved, adopters must travel to our fosters in central Pennsylvania to meet and take home their new dog. We do not adopt to states that already have a massive pet overpopulation problem. If you live in one of the states listed below, we recommend checking out a local shelter or rescue to adopt from!

  • California

  • Texas

  • North Carolina

  • South Carolina

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • Alabama

  • Louisiana

  • Oklahoma

  • Arkansas

  • Mississippi

  • Tennessee