Don't Waste Your Time
Royal Animal Refuge runs shelters for rescue dogs. It is a 501(c)3 corporation, which means it's a charity. This particular charity has a 2 out of 4 rating. If you'd like to know more about what this means, you can see how the ratings are formulated at Charity Navigator (https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/821049822).
I attempted to adopt a dog they'd named Toast - I went with some friends (two of them were young children aged 6 and 8). The dog was wonderful with the kids, and at least three of the volunteers commented the same thing "I can't believe Toast is still here after more then 2 months; she's got such a great disposition." I was told that the adoption would be finalized by Friday after I indicated my interest in Toast. I filled out the online application when I got home later that morning. This is the full text chain that followed:
Text communication initiated by RAR volunteer @1:23 PM Wednesday April 14,2026]
Hi Ronald! My name is Laura, and I am the adoption coordinator for Royal Animal Refuge. Thank you for your interest in adopting Lil Toast! Her adoption fee is $300. This is a non-refundable fee that includes her spay, microchip, heartworm and fecal testing, deworming, and all vaccinations leading up to the date of adoption.
While reviewing your application, I noticed that you selected both "outside" and "free roam inside the home" when asked where the dog would be when left alone. Could you clarify your plan? We want to ensure that she will have a safe and appropriate environment when unsupervised.
You also mentioned that she will have access to an unfenced, unsupervised area for exercise. Could you please provide more details about this?
My responses: (Names redacted)
i Laura- I'm modifying my plan SINCE submitting the application. Those modifications include the following:
1. Toast will be allowed to roam my 4.5 acre UNFENCED property (outside) freely, once I have acquainted her with the boundaries. I have a neighbor who had some success with an invisible fence, but I can't stand the idea of a shock collar. I may cordon off an area using temporary fencing until I'm certain she'll behave. She'll be trained to always poop on the back perimeter of the property, which would be included in the temporary fencing should it be required.
2. Toast will be family. She can be anywhere she wants in the house (will provide multiple dog beds throughout the house). This too will be conditioned on her bowel control within the house, and whether or not she is 'mischievous' - chewing on things she shouldn't. Her response to the cats (and their response to her) will inform the initial conditions. The house is about 4000 sq ft, so there will be ample places for her to reside should she elect not to be with me all the time.
As far as the cats' response, I anticipate that Winskers will be the more skittish, and will slowly warm up to Toast. The other cat, Big, thinks it's a dog and follows me around everywhere. I expect Big will initially regard Toast as 'competition' for my attention, but truly anticipate that they will be fast friends in short order.
If possible, I would like the interview to be a video conference (I can do Zoom, Teams, FaceTime, and other VC technologies). This would enable to take you on a guided virtual tour of the house and grounds, in addition to the pictures that I will send. I am open to suggestions on how to best move forward and a VC can facilitate this.
Lastly, I checked on the application that I would NOT seek the help of a professional trainer, but am reconsidering this based on the advice of a friend who is a superlative dog trainer. She, her husband, and two daughters are visiting me from Connecticut but are leaving Saturday. Paul, Penny, and Fiona have met Toast with me at RAR. It will be great when REDACTED gets to meet her as well.
Pictures to follow
[pictures and captions have been omitted]
Friday, two days later. There has been no communication from anyone at RAR]
Me: Hello? Can I pick up Toast today?
Laura/RAR: Hi! Apologies for the delayed response. At this time, we do not advocate free roaming for any of our dogs and would not be able to approve that long term. Dogs are naturally curious, and it only takes one moment or distraction for them to see something, take off, and potentially put themselves in a dangerous situation.
We do have connections for invisible fencing and would be happy to point you in that direction if you would like to explore that option. Our priority is ensuring she is not in an unsupervised, unfenced environment. Additionally, we will be cat testing her today to make sure she would be a good fit with your cats before moving forward with adoption. I'll keep you updated on how that goes.
Me: Please do. Was just discussing a dog run with my friends. I will need to be certain she won't take off before she is allowed outdoors unleashed.
REVIEW SPACE is limited. You don't get a dog unless they can control you. read more
