Josie’s Misfit Ranch is a volunteer and foster home based rescue that cares and advocates for misfit animals in Kittitas County and surrounding areas. “Misfit” animals are wounded in body or spirit who have been discarded, mistreated or ignored because they are considered less than “perfect.” We show these animals the love and compassion they deserve, build their confidence, and focus on all they can do instead of what they can’t.
We act as champions for our animals,* their foster families, and their forever families at every stage of the rescue and adoption process, including providing training and ongoing support. By building the skills and confidence of all involved - the animal, foster family and forever family - we are building a more successful adoption experience and reducing the chances the animal will be surrendered again. Our hope is to build a community where people value these animals and treat them with respect and kindness, as well as help them reach their full potential.
*We primarily serve dogs and cats at this time, but may expand to other animals in the future.
Primary Goals of Our Non-profit Organization
Provide medical care, foster care and training to “misfit” animals - those who have behavior problems, or physical limitations - and who have been mistreated, discarded or ignored. These animals are at a greater risk of being euthanized as they are often overlooked by potential adopters.
• We provide training for fosters - both those who support our organization and those who are supporting other rescues - in the care and training needs of misfit animals. By providing foster parents with ongoing support we hope to improve the fostering experience, prevent foster burn-out and help prepare the animals for their forever home. This approach is meant to reduce the number of animals returned to rescues or shelters due to the lack of adequate preparation and guidance.
• Support forever families in the understanding and ongoing training and care of “misfit animals” so they may have the best relationship with their animals, and ensure the animals continue to thrive.
• Support our communities and partner with other rescues to help improve animal welfare.
Adoption Policy
Our Requirements:
Approved adopters must have a commitment to the full life of the animal, have a vet committed to taking the animal as a patient, and be allowed to have animals in their place of residence. Rescue dogs will only be given to families with appropriately fenced yards or appropriate exercise routines (depending on their breed and level of activity). For larger dogs and dogs of certain breeds, we will also check to make sure there are no restrictions in your home or municipality. Rescue cats will not be given to homes in which declawing is considered acceptable. We will only adopt to families whose current pets are up to date on vaccinations and who are fixed. We do not adopt to homes with small children (under the age of 5) except under special circumstances.
Adoption Process
STEP 1 - Understand the Responsibility
Having a pet is a long term commitment. Your pet will be with you for many years, so you must think carefully and seriously before choosing to become a pet owner. Pets bond deeply with their humans and will quickly become a member of your family. Adopting means making a life-long commitment which may last 10-15 years for a dog and perhaps 15-20 years for a cat. Caring for this animal must remain a priority even when your life changes. Consider your pet(s) when you redecorate your home, take a new job, move to a different city or decide on changing your family status. Pets depend on you to look after their health and safety. Proper veterinary care, healthy food and fresh water, toys and other items are needed for their comfort and welfare. Be sure you understand what you are getting into.
STEP 2 – Fill out adoption application
Our comprehensive adoption application is meant to help us understand your expectations and readiness for making a commitment to the lifetime of an animal. If you are interested in adopting an animal please fill out our adoption application below.
Dog Adoption Application
STEP 3 – Phone Interview
We will review your application and follow up with a phone call (usually within a day or two of your application being submitted) to ask you additional questions if needed, and to discuss what our requirements are, and any gaps that need to be filled. We will also find out what support you will require if you are approved to adopt. At the end of the phone interview, if we still feel you would be a good fit for an animal, we will make an appointment for a home check and also advise you that we will conduct a criminal background check.
STEP 4 – Criminal Background Check
We conduct simple criminal background checks of all potential adopters in order to ensure there is no history of violence or other concerns that could affect the safety or well-being of the animal that is being adopted. You are entitled to receive a copy of the results of your background check if you request it in writing.
STEP 5 – Home Check
While the background check is being done, we will come to your home to get an idea of what environment the animal will live in. We will also properly introduce the new animal to any existing animals you have in the home and see if they get along. We may have suggestions on how to improve the area for the animal’s safety that will require you to make some changes before the animal comes to live with you. Or we may want to spend some more time introducing the animals, which may require repeat visits.
STEP 6 - Pay adoption Fee/Sign Contract
After all previous steps have been completed and you and your home are approved for the animal, we ask you to pay the adoption fee ($350 for dogs and $250 for cats) and sign our adoption contract. The contract ensures that if you decide for any reason not to keep the animal, you will be required to surrender it back to Josie’s Misfit Ranch. If you return the animal within 30 days, you will get a portion of your adoption fee ($200 for dogs and $150 for cats) returned to you.
https://josiesmisfitranch.org/our-animals-to-adopt
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