FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Who is Paws of Tomorrow, Inc.? 

Paws of Tomorrow is a 501c3 non-profit group of volunteer dog lovers whose mission is to rescue, provide sanctuary, and ultimately to re-home abandoned, stray and neglected animals. We spend countless hours working with high kill shelters to pull urgent dogs. We thrive on helping castaway dogs and dedicate our time and knowledge to finding homes for these animals that deserve a better life. Whenever possible we also assist in finding homes for animals that, because of extenuating circumstances, are unable to remain in their homes with their owners. Paws of Tomorrow is primarily located in the Ocean View, Delaware area. We offer vetting for seriously injured dogs that would otherwise not receive a second chance at life because of the circumstances in shelters. We try to foster as many Paws dogs as we can and provide them with an enormous amount of love and any medical attention that may be required to insure that they are in good health before adoption. They are spayed or neutered and brought up-to-date on shots. When time permits, our dogs are also house trained and taught basic obedience. All Paws pets that are taken into foster care are also evaluated for temperament and personality. This helps us to place them in homes that are well suited to their needs and to the needs of their future owners. If you are looking for a specific type of dog and do not see it on our website, please email us. We work closely with other rescue groups and animal shelters and may be able to assist you in finding your next furry friend. None of this could be done without local support. We thank each person that has helped to save a life by assisting us in our efforts.

Where are you located?

We are based out of Fenwick Island, DE.  However, we adopt to any area. Our dogs are all in foster homes so we do not have a shelter location to visit.  To visit our dogs, you must fill out an application and a time will be arranged for you to visit the dogs foster home.

What kind of animals do you rescue?

We rescue dogs from high kill shelters that need our help.  We are not a rescue that only takes in the cute, highly adoptable dog. We are a “RESCUE”.  We take in the dogs that no one else believes in, the castaways.  The ones that have little time to find a home.  We believe that we are in “rescue” to help the less fortunate pets.  The ones that really need us.  We then offer them the love, attention, and medical care needed to find forever homes.  This is why we so desperately need donations to offset the cost of these bills.  Please consider donation to one of our “castaways”.

Why do you work with out of state shelters?

We from DE but offer assistance to the animals that face a grim fate in other areas as well.  Some of the shelters that we work with in the south euthanize by gas chamber.  This means that these dogs/cats go through horrible suffering when euthanized.  We feel this is inhumane and will do anything in our power to help our furry friends at these shelters.  Out of state dogs need our help too.  Although our heart is with the dogs in Delaware first and foremost.

How do I foster?

The foster application is located on the Applications Page. Fill out the application, completing every question. If you are interested in a specific dog, please specify that in your application.  If you are interested in certain characteristics, please be sure to list them as well.  We will then contact you to discuss the dog that will be right for your home.  We want fostering to be a rewarding process for the dog as well as you. 

When fostering a dog for us, you are giving that dog a place to live until it is adopted.  This may be a matter of a few days or a few months.  Please consider this before applying to foster for us. The foster parent is responsible for providing treats and toys. We will cover all vet bills for the fostered dog. Paws of Tomorrow must approve all vets and vetting appointments PRIOR to treatment or you will be required to cover all costs.  We work with many vets that offer us more reasonable rates.

What does sponsorship or sponsoring mean?

You are giving that dog a fighting chance.  As soon as a dog is sponsored, it is pulled from the shelter and placed in foster care.  It will also offer them any vetting care that they have not received.  You have now saved that dogs life and given it a chance.  That dog will be forever grateful!!  The sponsorship fees are needed for us to pull, vet, transport and care for the dog. 

Can I visit your dogs?

Yes, however we do require an application to be submitted before setting up a meeting with one of our pets.  One reason is to avoid wasting any one's time.  The second reason is that we want to know a little about you prior to having a volunteer meet you.  One way of meeting our potential dogs is by attending our local adoption days as well.

What is the adoption fee and what does it cover?

Our adoption fee is set per dog.  Please pull up the specific dog you are interested in for further details. This fee covers all of the cost to pull the dog and vet it.  This fee however is exactly that, an ADOPTION fee.  Please understand that even though the dogs are wormed that they may still have worms….  Worms love shelters; they must be treated again to clear them in full.

Will my dog be Spayed/Neutered?

We do insure that EVERY animal (over 6 months of age) is spay/neutered prior to adoption, at this time.  If you adopt a dog that is under 6 months of age, you are responsible for paying to have the dog spay/neutered once it reaches this age.  You are then required to return proof of this to us.  Please understand that we WILL press charges if this is not done.  We take this very seriously.  These dogs end up in a shelter because of overpopulation.  We will not allow for any of our dogs to mother or father puppies.  We also will not adopt out to a home with a pet that is not spay/neutered.   And yes, we do check with your vet prior to adoption.  Please read the adoption page for full details.

Why are your adoption fees higher than others?

If you add up all of the above, you will see that we do not even cover our costs.  We try to be as fair as possible but must cover most of our costs.  We can only pull dogs if we have the means to do so.  It would be irresponsible of us otherwise.  We cannot pull dogs that we cannot afford to vet.  We work solely form donation so the adopter must help cover some cost for that dog.  We would love to give a dog to anyone that has a large heart but, the cost of having a dog is high.  If you cannot afford our adoption fee, you cannot afford to vet that dog if it becomes ill.  The adoption fee rarely covers our costs for vetting the dog prior to adoption.

Why do you charge more than the SPCA? 

This answer is easy.  We are not government funded.  The SPCA can charge very reduced rates for the vetting of these animals because they receive government funding to offset these costs.  We work solely by donation. We also provide more vetting and care than most shelters, this means higher costs.

Are your fees negotiable?

Our fees are NON-NEGOTIABLE.  We work hard to pull, vet, and transport these dogs.  Please understand that if you were to pay for this vetting, the cost would be MUCH greater.

Why does the adoption fee have to be paid before I receive my new pet?

It is simply a guarantee that you are adopting this pet.  In some cases we must arrange transport of these pets to us or to you.  We want to insure that this pet will have a safe place to go.  It also covers the costs that we have already put out for the vetting of this animal.  This is also why the fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. 

Do you offer transportation of these pets to their adoptive home?

Paws of Tomorrow does not offer transport of our pets.  We want you to meet your new family member before the adoption is finalized.  We feel that the adoption process is an easier transition for the pup, if you pick them up.  The foster knows a lot about your new baby and can give you additional information in person as well.