Do you know how many dogs there are in the US? Go on, take a guess!
Well, if you said something like 77 million, you’d be right! The average household in the United States owns 1.6 dogs.
So, Americans love their dogs, just like many other countries around the globe. Sadly, that’s not the full story. Every year, at least 3 million of these dogs find themselves in animal shelters and animal rescue centers as they are abandoned or become unwanted or homeless for hundreds of reasons. Many will never leave. Overcrowded and underfunded shelters are often tragically forced down the path of euthanasia.
The chances are that you’re reading this article because it’s all about the Pomeranian dog. Perhaps you’ve kept them before, or perhaps you just like the look of them and really want to have one of your own to love and care for. You wouldn’t be alone in this! Poms are very well-loved, as evidenced by their #23 spot in the American Kennel Club’s list of the top 200 most popular dog breeds.
The smallest member of the spitz family, these pooches are small, feisty, intelligent, and generally friendly. This toy breed makes a great family pet and is good with kids, though it is wise to supervise any interaction with small children (mostly because these dogs are small and fragile).
When you’re looking to get a dog for your home, there are several options open to you. Some dog lovers head to a reputable breeder, which is a good choice. Established, respected breeders know what they’re doing and have their dogs’ welfare at heart.
Alternatively, you could go online and check Facebook or local classified ads. You could head to a pet store, a backyard breeder, or a puppy mill. But there are many good reasons why you should avoid these at all costs! Online pet sales are often scams, and the other outlets generally involve unscrupulous sellers who treat their dogs badly and keep them in appalling conditions.
Having ruled out these options, and if the Pomeranian breeder’s prices are perhaps beyond your budget, you might want to consider adoption from a rescue center. As well as saving yourself a lot of money, you might also save a precious life.
As affectionate and friendly as this fluffy little dog is, you can usually find them in shelters and rescue centers right across the country. These loveable furballs deserve a loving home just as much as any other dog.
Are you thinking of adopting? Great!
Then the next step is to find out what’s involved and who to approach. And that’s exactly what this guide is designed for!
Where Can I Adopt A Pomeranian?
The good news is that thousands of brilliant Pom lovers in the US are devoted to rescuing this breed. It’s not that they don’t love other types of dogs, they just have a particular passion for Poms!
Because of this, there are bound to be Pomeranian rescues close to where you live. Some rescue groups join forces to maximize their impact. Some have their own premises, while others operate remotely, connecting people with the right places. Others use foster homes rather than keeping dogs in kennels, which is excellent as it is far better for them and makes the transition into your home much easier.
We’ll highlight a few of these different places, using examples from different regions before going on to address a few frequently asked questions.
Pomeranian Rescues In Florida
Florida Little Dog Rescue Group operates out of Orlando and has been saving lives since 2009.
Like many others, they’re not purely Pomeranian rescues, as their name implies. However, you can still use them to find your Pom if you’re in this region.
They also don’t have an actual shelter, and all their dogs are in foster homes while they are evaluated before adoption. This is better for the dogs, as they are in a loving, family environment. It also allows the foster carers to discover more about the dog’s health, state of mind, and any quirks, behaviors, or character traits that you need to be aware of.
This helps the team build a personality profile of each dog that allows them to match them up with the right family.
Bear in mind that these dogs are rescued and cared for in private homes, so visiting them is not an option. Also, all of this excellent work is done in their spare time, so you’ll need to be patient when making inquiries.
Pomeranian Rescues In PA
You’re in luck if you happen to be in Pennsylvania, as there are two equally excellent Pomeranian rescue groups here.
The first is Pawsitively Pom Rescue Inc. Again, they are non-profit, 100% volunteer-run, and rely purely on donations for their continued survival. As with most of the others listed here, they do not use a shelter, instead choosing to house their dogs with foster carers until the right home is found for each dog (they deal with other small breeds as well as Poms).
Their passion for their work is clear, as the members go above and beyond the call of duty to deliver the very best care for their rescue pups. They never skimp or cut corners when it comes to the health, comfort, and rehabilitation of their dogs. If specialist help is needed, then that is what they get, even if it means traveling long distances to get it.
Responsible dog ownership is essential to their mission and values, and this forms the heart of their adoption process, which takes time to match the right dog to the right home. It isn’t a matter of getting new homes as quickly as possible; it’s about finding a forever home.
In their own words, they strive to nurture each dog’s mind, body, and soul until the perfect home is found.
The adoption process is quite involved and can take up to 2 weeks, but that is to be expected as these are volunteers with full-time jobs elsewhere. There is an online form to complete, after which they will check with your vet or contact any personal references you supply. One stipulation is that any other animals in the home must be spayed/neutered and have regular health checks as well as monthly treatment for heartworm, flea, and tick medication. There are no exceptions to this rule.
If you are unsuccessful at this point, you will be advised by email, but don’t expect an explanation!
However, if you pass this stage, you will undergo an official telephone interview to discover more about your home and lifestyle. Once again, you may fail this stage if there are any question marks surrounding your suitability – try not to take it personally; these are volunteers doing their very best to ensure that these dogs get the best possible chance of a loving home. Again, you won’t be given a reason why you failed.
If you pass, then you move on to the next stage, which is a home visit. For potential adopters within a reasonable distance, the volunteer will bring the dog along to see how you get on together. If this goes to plan, your dog can remain with you. For those out of state, the volunteer will drive to you to conduct the home visit, and if all is well, you will be expected to pick up the dog at a mutually convenient time.
Pawsitively Pom Rescue Inc. never uses transport companies or ships their dogs as cargo.
They have a 14-day return clause so that if things don’t work out, you can return the dog within two weeks. You will either receive a full refund of your donation, or they will endeavor to find a more suitable dog. A rehoming clause is also included in the adoption papers, and this inhibits you from selling or giving the dog to anyone else, including family members. In the event of any problems, you must return the dog to Pawsitively Pom Rescue.
They have a very reasonable flat fee of $250, which falls to $150 for senior citizens. In some cases, dogs that have bonded (perhaps both coming from the same home) will be adopted together, in which case they will each have a fee of $200. When you consider the lengths to which these volunteers go to ensure that the dogs are healthy and ready for adoption, this is not excessive in the least.
If you are interested in getting one of their rescue Poms, you can find them on Twitter and Facebook, or contact them here:
Address: Pawsitively Pom Rescue Inc.
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Telephone: (844) 766-7297
Email: [email protected]
You can also find Peace Love and Poms Rescue (PLPR) in Lebanon, Pa. They aim to provide a safe haven for any small dog in need.
This is apparent from their website, where they share their commitment to educating dog owners and communities towards greater respect for all animals. This organization is driven by integrity, empathy, and devotion, which is clear from how they run things.
Once again, they rely on donations to provide the care that these abandoned or mistreated dogs desperately need. This includes spaying/neutering, deworming, heartworm treatment, microchipping, bloodwork, dental, and even surgery if required.
If you are interested in one of their dogs, you need to complete the application form, permitting your vet to release any information (if you have kept animals before). Any references will also be checked out.
Your application will be reviewed along with any others received at the time to see which is the best match for the dog. If you rent your home, PLPR will require written consent from your landlord that allows you to keep a dog of this type and size on the premises. The application will not proceed without this.
The next step involves a representative of PLPR speaking with you to discuss your lifestyle to see if this is a good fit for the dog you are interested in. The foster family currently caring for your dog will also call you to go over any issues or queries you might have.
After this, you will receive a home visit from a vetted representative of PLPR, who will inspect your home and yard. They ask that all family members and pets be present for this visit to help them assess the situation fully and anticipate any future problems.
If all goes well, a meet and greet session will be arranged, and once all the paperwork is signed, you can bring your new pooch home!
PLPR encourages all new adopters to stay in touch, as they will be on hand to provide any help and advice you may need in the transition period while your Pom gets used to its new home. To guide you further, they provide some very helpful tips on making this transition as smooth as possible.
They charge a flat fee of $250 ($150 for seniors) for each adopted dog. As they rightly point out, this is a bargain when you consider that a vet visit for spaying/neutering and microchipping alone will usually cost around $500.
They have Facebook and Instagram pages, but you can also contact them here:
Website: Peace Love and Poms
Address: 706 Hill St, Lebanon, PA 17046
Phone: 717-813-1189
Email: [email protected]
Pomeranian Rescues In California
If you’re in the SoCal area, then you might want to contact Southern California Pomeranian Rescue (SCPR). This all-volunteer group doesn’t have a shelter, but instead, all of their rescue Poms are placed with foster homes.
These wonderful people work in conjunction with the City of Angels Pomeranian Club to save as many Poms from abandonment and euthanasia as possible.
Each dog is checked for any health problems and subjected to behavioral tests. Before being released for adoption, the dog will be vaccinated and free from parasites and communicable diseases. It will also be screened to see how it behaves with kids, elderly people, other pets and whether it has any traits you need to be aware of, such as jumpiness, nipping, or excessive chewing.
You will need to make a donation of between $150 and $500, which covers things like vet fees, vaccinations, micro-chipping, deworming, food, and housing. Without these donations, groups like SCPR could not function. Bearing in mind that they get many of their Poms from ‘kill shelters,’ this would be an absolute tragedy.
Their adoption process involves the completion of an application form to check your suitability as a Pom parent. If successful, they’ll arrange for your dog to have a week-long home visit. And if all goes well, they keep your donation, and the pooch becomes all yours! If not, then your donation is returned, and the dog is placed with its foster home once again.
Here’s how to contact them:
Address (MAIL ONLY):
Southern California Pomeranian Rescue
14252 Culver Drive, Suite A-281
Irvine, CA 92604
Email: [email protected]
Pomeranian Rescues In Michigan
Looking for Pomeranian rescues in the Michigan area? The Pomeranian Club of Michigan Rescue (PCMR) is a great place to start your search.
Similar to the SCPR, they are volunteers (many with full-time jobs), and they keep their dogs with foster carers rather than in kennels. They have an excellent success rate in finding the best homes for abandoned pooches, but their adoption procedure is strict – as you might expect.
This process can involve several interviews just to make sure that you are a good match for the rescue Pom. PCMR will also expect you to read through their pre-adoption information and complete an application form. They will perform a ‘vet check’ for any animals you have kept over the last 10 years (you need to contact your vet to grant permission for the records to be released), and if you own any other dogs, they will be expected to be up to date with vaccinations and things like heartworm and parasite prevention.
After an initial telephone interview, a meeting will be arranged in a public place. The foster carer will bring the dog for you to meet, and the next steps will depend on how that goes.
The adoption fee is set at $350 to cover the usual expenses.
They are also always keen to secure new foster homes, so if that’s something you can help out with, then they’ll be happy to hear from you.
You can contact PCMR via Facebook or use the following methods:
Website: PCMR
Email: [email protected]
Pomeranian Rescues In Texas
You’ll find Recycled Pomeranians & Schipperkes Rescue in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas. As you can tell from their name, they don’t just focus on Poms but extend their services to Schipperkes and other tiny breeds.
Once again, this organization is operated by good-hearted volunteers who devote their time and energy to rescuing Pomeranians that have been used as breeders in puppy mills, stray dogs, abused and mistreated dogs, and those that are languishing on ‘death row’ in local shelters.
Each dog is given the utmost care and attention. They spay or neuter them, feed them, get them the medical treatment they require and rehabilitate and socialize them, ready for adoption. But, in their own words, the main thing that they give these unfortunate pooches is love.
As with most Pomeranian rescues, this is a non-profit charity that relies on donations and the kindness of strangers. As you can imagine, running an operation like this doesn’t come cheap. Aside from feeding and medical costs, the dogs are microchipped and brought up to date with their shots. Every single dog has to be vetted before they are ready for adoption, which takes time and money.
There isn’t a set donation, and each dog has its own separate fee, but these generally tend to be around the $200 or $300 mark. In their FAQ section on their website, there’s a section that asks why are your adoption fees so high? They answer this by explaining what the work involves and that they rely 100% on donations to fund this. It has to be said, though, that their average fee is relatively reasonable. Anyone who thinks that they are too high should check the prices charged by breeders!
Once you make a formal bid for adoption, the process is usually completed within a week.
Like other Pomeranian rescues without a central base, they need foster homes for their dogs, so if you’re in the DFW area and feel that you can help out, give them a call.
You can keep in touch with them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or contact them this way:
DALLAS/FT. WORTH TEAM
Phone: (214) 775-0648
Address: 1530 Turning Leaf Lane Garland, Texas 75040
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 1-888-886-9740
Pomeranian Rescues In Houston
As luck would have it, Recycled Pomeranians & Schipperkes Rescue has offices in Houston, offering the same excellent services as the Dallas/Ft. Worth team.
All of the same rules apply, and you can contact them here:
Phone: Norma Lee – Houston Founder (936) 828-2035
Website: Houston Recycled Poms
Pomeranian Rescues In Utah
The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, doesn’t focus only on rescuing Pomeranians. In fact, it doesn’t just focus on dogs! You can adopt horses, rabbits, cats, goats, sheep, and even parrots!
However, if you’re searching for rescued Pomeranians, then it’s always worth getting in touch to see if they have any.
This organization is different from the others in this list, as they have premises at which they care for around 1,600 animals of all kinds. Best Friends started life in 1984 when a group of pals from different backgrounds got together and started building the sanctuary with their bare hands and very little funding.
They share a common mission that is based on the mantra, save them all. This commendable statement highlights their central reason for existing: that every animal deserves a chance to live a happy life and that we need to do more to ensure that this happens.
This philosophy has driven them to instigate a ‘no-kill’ campaign. The idea is that all animal shelters need to commit to a no-kill policy by 2025. Currently, only around 10% of all the millions of animals in shelters around the US are beyond help (that is, they are too sick or injured or have severe behavioral problems with no chance of recovery). This means that many healthy animals with no behavioral problems are needlessly destroyed purely because they don’t have homes. One of the main factors is funding.
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary believes that too much pressure and responsibility is placed on the shelters themselves and that local communities, as well as the government, should be playing their part. The dream is to achieve at least a 90% no-kill policy across all shelters in the US. Many have already done this, some reaching as high as 95%, which is great news.
This sanctuary might not fit in with all the other Pomeranian rescues in this article, but they surely deserve a mention because of their admirable work and compassionate outlook.
You can adopt or foster and even sponsor animals at the sanctuary. You can tour the site or sign up as a volunteer at the largest sanctuary for companion animals in the nation.
To find out more, contact them here:
Website: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
Address: 5001 Angel Canyon Road
Kanab, UT 84741
Telephone: 435-644-2001
As well as the central base at their sanctuary in Utah, you can find details of many other local Best Friends groups, each working with local shelters and communities.
Pomeranian Rescues In Ohio
Central Ohio Pomeranian Rescue operates out of Delaware, with the aim of preventing Poms from being sent to high kill shelters. They strive to get a balance between making the adoption process as smooth as possible, but they emphasize that they must do all that they can to ensure that each dog goes to the right home.
All of their rescue dogs are kept with volunteer foster carers to be assessed. The dogs are microchipped (if they aren’t already), spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and dewormed.
They are then socialized to prepare them for their forever homes.
The adoption fee is a very reasonable $260, except for bonded pairs (two dogs that arrive together and who have a very strong bond) which will cost $420 for the pair. COPR will never consider separating a bonded pair, so don’t ask them to do so!
You can contact them via email or their Facebook page:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @Ohiopoms
Pomeranian Rescues In Georgia
Pomeranian Rescues in this state seem to be scarce, although you might want to try Henry County Humane Society.
This group runs an animal shelter in McDonough, GA, and they sometimes have Poms available.
They pride themselves on being a no-kill shelter, but funding is always an issue. The best way to help is by adopting one of their animals, volunteering, or donating to this excellent cause.
HCHS runs a campaign called No More Litters! This aims to educate people on the importance of spaying and neutering, as this is the best method of avoiding unwanted pups that may end up in shelters where they face the possibility of being euthanized.
All of their pups are spayed/neutered, dewormed, microchipped, vaccinated, and have received flea and heartworm treatment. As a precaution, they will only accept you as an adoption candidate if you have an exemplary record with a local veterinarian.
The adoption fee is $250, which is about average and is pretty reasonable for all that’s included.
The best way to contact them is online.
Website: Henry Humane Society
Pomeranian Rescues In Oregon
In the NW Oregon and Washington area, you can find the brilliant team at Displaced Pets Rescue, where they’ve been caring for and rehoming dogs for just over a decade. Dedicated to rescuing Poms and other small breeds (under 10lb), they devote their time to providing a net that stops Poms and other tiny dogs from ending their lives in shelters.
Placement fees range from $150 to $400, depending on the age and condition of the dog, as well as taking into account any vet treatment it needs.
Part of their work involves educating dog owners and helping them find solutions to problems that would otherwise end with them giving up their dogs.
They only accept animals they believe can be rehomed successfully, and they work with these dogs to make this possible. As funds and resources are limited, they can only take in a small number of dogs each year.
To become a successful adoptee, you must first complete an application form. Visits to the site are by appointment only as the team needs to focus its efforts on caring for their dogs.
You can check them out online or email them for more details:
Website: Displaced Pets Rescue
Facebook: Displaced Pets Rescue, Inc
Email: [email protected]
Pomeranian Rescues In New Jersey
It can sometimes be depressing to think that there are so many dogs and other animals that are suffering or in need of a loving home. However, it is heartening to learn that there are organizations out there like One Love Animal Shelter, based in Bellmawr, NJ.
They are by no means the only selfless animal lovers devoted to saving lives and finding new homes for animals in need, but they are a shining example of the Good Samaritans that you can find when you look around.
One Love started life in 2013 after three women decided to do something about the problem. They have built on their early success and expanded their operation, with an average of between 80 and 100 animals in foster care at any one time.
Although not strictly related to Pomeranians, it’s well worth checking with them regularly.
While you’re there, take a good look around their website, as it’s pretty impressive and very well run. It’s absolutely packed with all the information you need, explaining the adoption process in full.
The adoption fee for dogs is $400, which goes towards the upkeep and running of this wonderful and much-needed organization.
Their contact details are as follows:
Address: One Love Animal Rescue Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 931
Bellmawr
NJ 08099
Website: One Love Animal Rescue
Phone: (856) 347-0840
Other Ways To Find Pomeranian Rescues
Photo from: @mochapom_
If you’re looking for a particular pet, you simply sign up and enter your details, as well as your ideal pet, and the site searches through the database to find a good match!
Petfinder has three core missions:
• To raise public awareness of the fact that there are thousands of animals that need a home.
• To enhance and improve the effectiveness of pet adoption programs in North America and eliminate the need for euthanasia.
• To educate people concerning the status of pets: they aren’t merely animals; they are family members.
There are other organizations with similar aims, such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Though this charity obviously looks out for all animals, you can use their website to search for Pomeranian rescues using their adopt a pet page. Simply complete the details, and the system will try to find a match in your local shelters.
You can also use the Shelter Pet Project run by the Humane Society of the United States to find your Pom. You just need to enter your zip code, click enter and the database searches local shelters to find a match.
The Shelter Pet Project is a collaboration between the Humane Society and Maddie’s Fund. Maddie’s Fund was founded in 1994 by Dave and Cheryl Duffield in memory of their beloved Miniature Schnauzer, Maddie. They made a promise that if they were in a position to do so, they would help animals and their owners to enjoy the same loving and enjoyable experience as they did with their own pet.
Between them, Maddie’s Fund and the Humane Society of the United States provide excellent advice on finding your ideal pet. They explain the process and guide you through each step, hopefully dispelling some of the myths about adopted animals.
By now, you have a good few options regarding Pomeranian rescues, so let’s finish with a couple of commonly asked questions.
How Much Does It Cost To Adopt A Pomeranian?
As we’ve learned from looking at the various Pomeranian rescues, adoption fees usually start from $150 and go up to around $500.
When you consider that breeders will charge at least $500 and possibly as much as $6,000, adoption is the cheaper option. Average prices for a pedigree Pom range from $800 to $2,000, so you’ll be saving between $300 and $1,500 if you pay $500 to adopt.
At the end of the day, though, it’s not really about the money, is it? It’s about finding new homes for precious lives.
Is Adoption The Best Option?
It may come down to personal preference and opinion, but many people would say that adoption is definitely the best option. Many breeders will urge you to adopt rather than buy from them, which shows great integrity.
As we stated at the start, around 3 million dogs are looking for a home right now. You could buy direct from a breeder, and that’s fine. But if you adopt from Pomeranian rescues, you will give a dog a much-needed forever home. If not, then many will face a life of incarceration or even be put to sleep, ending their little lives prematurely through no fault of their own.
Dogs are given up for adoption for several reasons. Sometimes it’s because their families can no longer afford to look after them. Sometimes the owners have passed away or have severe health problems that force them to give the dog away. In some cases, the dogs have been removed because the owners were abusive and violent.
Each dog has its own unique story, and every one of them deserves a chance to have a loving home. It’s unlikely that you’ll find a very young Pomeranian puppy in a rescue center or shelter, but as these pooches have a lifespan of between 12 and 16 years, that doesn’t matter too much.
If you think that you have what it takes to take on a rescue Pom, then feel free to connect with any of these excellent organizations we’ve highlighted above.
Your perfect Pom could be just waiting for you to take them home.
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