Adopting a Samoyed

Please note: We have a big stack of applications right now from people who want Samoyeds. We almost never find puppies or young dogs, so if that's what you want you'll have better luck contacting a breeder; we offer advice for that on our breeder page. If you want an application, we'll send it, but you should expect a wait of several years.

The process starts when you fill out and return a rescue application. Then we can schedule a home visit from one of our volunteers. We want to meet you, and our volunteer can answer questions and explain the things you need to know about Samoyeds. We need to know that your home is suited for a large, active dog, and we want you all to be comfortable together.

You need a secure fenced yard (or at least a fenced area) and lots of human companionship. Sammies are social dogs and need time indoors with their people. They won't be happy dogs if they are left outdoors. Some breeds will stay close to home, but very few Samoyeds can be trusted completely without a fence.

When a Samoyed enters our rescue program, we do a careful assessment so we know his/her personality and can match the dog best to a new home.  At this point in the dog's life we are their only advocates, so we take this job very seriously. We look at our approved homes and make a list of those who match the dog best. Sometimes people want only a female, a male, or an older or younger dog, so the home waiting the longest will not always be on the list for the next dog. After we make the list, we call the people in the order they applied. Sometimes it's a matter of a few days and sometimes it takes several months. We really appreciate your patience.

If you have other pets, we'd like to schedule a visit with your prospective new sammy on neutral ground, which gives all the animals an opportunity to meet where none of them will be territorial. Then comes the hard part, if we all think the match is good, where we ask you to go home and think about the adoption. Sammies are beautiful, friendly dogs, and it's easy to fall in love in an instant -- only to discover later that a different dog might have been a better fit.

After you adopt your Samoyed, your new friend gets to move in with you. You can expect follow-up visits occasionally to monitor things, and we encourage you to write or call us whenever you have a question. Our rescue families are all a part of one big family, and we're all anxious to help.

All dogs from Northwest Samoyed Rescue are neutered or spayed and up-to-date with shots. We ask for an adoption donation of $250, which is actually less than the costs of an average rescue dog. We also require a signed adoption agreement.