Apply to Adopt
You’ve made a life-changing choice, and we’re here to make it smooth. Start your adoption today.
The Adoption Process
STEP 1
Pre-Adoption Application
Start by completing our Pre-Adoption Application. Then, head over to our Available Dogs or Available Cats galleries to find your potential new best friend! Note: Adopters must be at least 21 years old. While we are a local Savannah-based rescue, we do consider out-of-area adoptions if we’re able to complete all required steps.
STEP 2
Meet & Greet
Once your application is reviewed and approved, we’ll schedule a meet & greet with the pet(s) you’re interested in. All household members (human and animal) must meet the pet. Note: One Love does not have a public shelter. All of our animals live in foster homes, so meetings are arranged at a time convenient for both the foster family and potential adopter.
STEP 3
Home Visit
If the meet & greet goes well, we’ll schedule a home visit next.
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Renters: Please provide a copy of your lease and proof of paid pet deposit.
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Homeowners: Make sure there are no pet restrictions (such as breed or size limits) from your HOA or neighborhood association.
STEP 4
Sleepover (if required)
Still deciding? Some pets are eligible for a “sleepover” visit—an trial in your own home before finalizing the adoption. You’ll need to provide up-to-date vaccination records for any current pets in your home:
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Cats: Must have FVRCP and rabies vaccines, and be tested for FeLV/FIV.
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Dogs: Must have rabies, DHPP, and heartworm testing
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We also require that resident pets are spayed/neutered unless medically exempt.
STEP 5
Final Paperwork & Donation
Once you’re ready to make it official, we’ll complete the Adoption Agreement and collect the adoption donation:
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Dogs: $250
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Kittens (under 1 year): $100
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Cats (1 year and older): $55
This donation helps cover the cost of vaccinations, spay/neuter, microchipping, and daily care while in foster.
STEP 6
Final Adoption Appointment
Congratulations—it’s time to bring your new family member home!
We’ll coordinate a final meeting to complete the adoption and send your new best friend off with you to start their next chapter.
Adopted Pets Will Receive...
Vaccinations
Dogs (6 months and older)
All dogs six months or older will be fully vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped.
Puppies (under 6 months)
Puppies are covered by our Puppy Voucher Program, which includes age-appropriate vaccines, microchipping, and spay/neuter at one of our three partner vets once they’re old enough.
Cats and Kittens
All cats will be fully vaccinated, microchipped, tested, and spayed or neutered. Kittens will receive age-appropriate care, including at least their first vaccine, microchipping, testing, and spay/neuter.
**All pets adopted from One Love Animal Rescue will also be on flea and heartworm prevention, if age-appropriate.
Free Classes
All dog adoptions also come with 6 group puppy classes or 2 private classes lead by Jennifer with Working Wonders Dog Training.
Adoption Packets
Post-Adoption Requirements
First Vet Visit
Must take their new pet to the vet within 7 days of adoption for a health check up and documentation of vet visit emailed to us
Spay and Neuter
If pet is not spayed/neutered when adopted from us, must be done within 30 days of adoption or upon reaching sexual maturity (4 months of age or as recommended by vet), documentation must be email to us. **Per Georgia State Law 4-13-3 if spay/neuter is not done within a timely manner, you may be fined up to $200 and animal removed from the home.
Surrendering a Pet
If at any time you are no longer able to take care of the animal, you must contact us to work on a resolution/getting the animal into a new home and not a shelter
Follow-Ups
OLAR will send a 1 week, 1 month, 6 month, 1 year follow up to see how the integration into the home and life is going for your new family member. We are here to help, advise, etc as needed to ensure a successful adoption process is achieved.