Maryland Westie Rescue (MWR) is not a shelter and has no paid employees. We are all volunteers with jobs, families, pets, and foster Westies. Please be patient with our application and adoption process. Patience is, as they say, a virtue and one of the key traits we look for in a prospective new home for a rescued Westie.

Adoption Application. The first step in our adoption process is the completion of the adoption application form. If you would like to pursue adopting a Westie from our rescue program, we need to receive a completed adoption application from you. Incomplete applications will be ignored. Our Adoption Application form can be printed from our website and emailed or mailed to us.

If you prefer to fill out the paper copy and mail it in, please choose the preferred format below.

Adoption Application (.doc)

Adoption Application (.pdf)

Each year the number of applications we receive is much greater than the number of Westies available for adoption. When a dog is placed into our rescue program, we review ALL of our pending applications to make the best possible match between the dog's needs and the prospective adopter's preferences. Our process is focused on the welfare of the Westie, as the needs of the homeless Westie are our primary concern. Our goal is to place each dog in an environment appropriate for that dog's background, personality, temperament and needs. Therefore, no one is ever at the top of the list for the next dog. And it is impossible to predict how long it will take for each applicant to receive a dog.

We do not "pre-approve" adoption applications due to the large number of applications received and our limited volunteer manpower. We will contact you and begin the approval process once we determine that a Westie in our program would be a potentially good match with you. The approval process involves a combination of phone interview, home visit, and reference check.

Adoption Costs. Rescued Westies are not "free." Many rescue Westies require medical attention as many have not had any recent medical attention in their previous situation. There are the costs of a complete health examination, immunizations, parasite control as well as spaying and/or neutering if the previous owners did not take care of this most important part of responsible pet ownership. We require an adoption fee to help us cover these costs.

An adoption donation of $250.00 - $400.00 is required for each dog adopted. This is non-refundable and the amount can be adjusted based on special circumstances or if multiple dogs are adopted together.

All donations received are used for the purpose of rescuing, providing medical care and placing homeless Westies into new forever homes.

Adoption Contract. Every person who is selected to adopt a Westie from our rescue program will be required to sign our Adoption Contract. Please do not apply if you cannot honestly abide by the terms of the Adoption Contract.

Adoption Agreement (.pdf)

Post Adoption Follow Up. Our goal is to help you enjoy life with your new Westie to the fullest extent possible. If issues arise, or you just need some good advice, we are happy to do follow-up counseling by email or telephone. We may also contact you from time to time to see how the adopted Westie is doing.

If Anything Prevents You From Keeping Your Adopted Westie. Sometimes situations arise which can not be helped. If, at any time, for any reason, you are unable to keep a dog you’ve adopted from MWR, you must either return the dog to MWR or obtain approval from MWR to transfer ownership to a friend or relative.

MWR is committed to the life, health and well being of every Westie we place for the remainder of that dog’s life.