How do I adopt a Great Dane from you?
Please see our Adoption Process information located under the How to Adopt section.
What are you checking for when you do a Home Visit?
We are not judging the size of your home or even your housekeeping. We are mostly interested in the condition of your other pets - Do they look healthy and well adjusted? Your fence - Is it in good repair and tall/strong enough for a Dane? Do you have certain rooms the dog will not be allowed in? Is your yard full of junk that the dog could step on or chew? Is your pool open where the dog could fall in? These are some of the questions we will ask and things we will look for during our visit.
How do I become a Foster Parent?
Foster parents are the biggest asset to any rescue. Without them, we could only rescue one or two dogs at a time. To become a foster parent for MGR, you must first have health insurance for yourself and anyone else living in your home. This is to protect you, as well as us, in the event that your foster dog somehow injures someone in your home (a very rare occurence, as we temperment test all our dogs before placing them in foster homes). We also strongly suggest (but not require) that you have homeowners or renters insurance. If you live in an appartment or rent, you will need to provide us proof of permission from you landlord. While the dog is in foster care, we will provide all necessary medical care for him/her. This may include, but is not limited to, vaccinations, heartworm treatment, spay/neuter, antibiotics, etc. You are responsible for making sure that the dog recieves any follow-up care, including giving daily medications or treatments. We always ask that you try and take the dog to any vet appointments made on their behalf, and we always strive to work with your schedule. In the event of an emergency, you MUST attempt to contact the Director at 865-803-6143 BEFORE seeking urgent care for your foster Dane. Please make sure to leave a message if no one answers you immediately. If you make an appointment with a vet, or take the dog to the emergency vet without express consent of the Director, you may be responsible for the charges incured. Also, foster parents are required to attend at least one of our events each month.
I'm scared of adopting an adult dog because I don't know anything about their history and would rather have a puppy we can raise ourselves.
This may be the most common thing we hear from people. Let me assure you that this is exactly
the opposite of the truth. Genetically, you have as good, if not a better chance of getting a
healthy, well-bred Dane for the price you are paying as you would from a breeder. Remember,
retired show dogs, show quality dogs, champion-lineage dogs, and mis-marked pet quality dogs from
top breeders can and do end up in rescue just as often as back-yard bred, cross color bred, inbred,
or badly bred Danes. While we can almost never tell you who bred our rescued dogs, or what
their genetic history looks like, we can offer you useful and real life suggestions on how you can
improve your dogs health and longevity. Please do not hesitate to ask.
If it is personality or behavior problems that worry you, this too is a common misconception.
Great Dane puppies are CHALLENGING. They are large, clumsy, and can cause a great deal of
damage to your home. They can be difficult to housetrain, and that is no small puddle or
pile on your carpet. They can chew legs off chairs and tables, dig the cushions from your
couch, eat your children's stuffed animals, and bark all day at strange noises. Most Danes
aren't considered adults until they are 2-4 yrs old. Some may not "settle down" until they
are 3-5 or longer. When you adopt an adult dog, you can be alot more sure of what you are
getting. These dogs live in our homes. We find out first-hand if they chew, if they
bark, if they dig, or eat your furnature. We find out if they have seperation anxiety, or
aggression issues. We are always up-front about these things and strive to be honest with you
so that you may be prepared for the dog you are choosing. While no one can make guarantees
about a dog's behavior, we are certianly able to give an educated guess as to what your new Dane
will act like in your home. We can help you choose the most kid-friendly, well-mannered Dane
that is going to fit your lifestyle.
What if I need to surrender my Dane to rescue?
First of all, let us thank you for choosing to put your dog in rescue rather than abandoning it to the shelter or worse. While every shelter in our area knows of us, sometimes they will not notify us. It does not cost you anything to surrender you dog. If you have things like bowls, leftover food, leashes, or a crate, we would certainly love to have them. Things like bedding or a favourite toy can make the transition easier on your dog. We will also accept leftover suppliments, vitamins, or non-expired medications. You are more than welcome to call or email us for updates on how your dog is doing and to find out when they are adopted. We are not able to give you the names or information of the adopters, as we will not give them yours. We respect everyone's right to privacy.
How do I participate in your Free Spay/Neuter Program for my Dane?
If you have a Great Dane we will pay for your Dane to be spayed or neutered at our veterinarian of choice. There is no income level limit, and we will even do entire ltters of Dane puppies. The only ones who are restricted from using this service are routien breeders and other rescues. We will not spay females currently in heat. To find out more, please email rebecca@majesticgiantsrescue.com.
Do you ever adopt out unspayed or unneutered Danes?
No. No exceptions. Ever. We will also not place unaltered males in foster homes with unspayed female dogs. Please spay and neuter your pets. We can provide you some information on low cost options in the greater Knoxville area.
We need vet records for a dog we adopted from you. How do we get them?
Please call Governor John Sevier Animal Clinic at 865-579-1090. Make sure you ask for the information using the name that your dog had while in rescue. If you forget it, you can find your dog's name and picture here. If there is any missing information, please call the Director at 865-803-6143. If you adopted from us before August 2009, Admiral Veterinary Hospital will have records for your pet. They can be reached at 865-675-1833.
How long does the adoption process take?
Typically, the process can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks, depending on if the dog is healthy and ready to go, if you live out of the area (over an hour away), and other factors. We strive to make it go as quickly as possible, as we want our guys and girls to be settled in their forever homes soon. Filling out the application is your first and most important step to getting started on adopting your new Dane.
What if things aren't working out after we adopt the dog?
We have a three day money-back return policy, in case something major goes wrong immediately or if the dog presents with a health condition that was previously unknown. We strongly suggest that you take the dog to your veterinarian within the first three days of adopting him or her for a full health screening and checkup. After 3 days and up to 30 days beyond the adoption date, we offer a partial refund of half your adoption fee in exchange for the safe return of the dog, OR (at our discretion, depending on the circumstances of the return) half off a different dog. We do understand that even with the best efforts, sometimes personalities clash or a dog may not be adjusting properly in its new home. We strive to make sure that the dog is not just attractive to you physically, but also that he or she is the right personality type for your lifestyle and environment.
What if my Dane needs training after I adopt him/her?
We can recommend a trainer to you who will offer you sessions at a discount. Many will also offer an over-the-phone counseling session for free to help you with any adjustment issues you may have. We also highly recommend that you enroll your Dane in a 4-6 week basic obedience course as it will give you an excellent opportunity to bond with your new dog and also make him or her a more enjoyable companion.