HMBMDR Application – Heart of Michigan Bernese Mountain Dog Rescue

Thank you for considering adopting a Bernese Mountain Dog. We love the breed and work hard to find forever homes for our fury friends.

This questionnaire will take about 40 minutes to complete. Please do not navigate away from this page or your may lose your answers. If you have a veterinarian, please gather his/her address before starting.

A successful adoption depends on both the selection of the right “Berner” for you and the understanding of his/her care taking needs. So that we may assist you with this selection, please answer the following questions as completely and truthfully as possible. You will not be rejected as a possible placement solely on the basis of your answers.

HMBMDR Adoption Application

Your Information

Name (First and Last) *
Address *
Street AddressApt, Suite, Bldg. (optional)CityState / Province / RegionPostal / Zip CodeCountry
Email *
Phone *

Tell us a bit about your family and pet adoption plans

Please list all the members of your household
(Name, Sex, Age) Ex: Betty, female, 39 Some dogs don’t do well with small children or very active homes.
Please describe the characteristics of the ideal dog for you and your family?
Is anyone allergic to pets/dogs?
YesNoI don't know
Your occupation and work habits
What is your occupation? What are your work hours? Days per week?
Spouse / Partner's Occupation and Work Habits
What is his/her occupation? What are his/her work hours? Days per week?
Is someone home during the day?
YesNo
On average, how many hours per day will this dog be alone?
Describe your care plans during vacations or overnights away from home?

Home Enviroment

Is your home?
Single family homeTownhouse/Condominium/ApartmentFarm or Large Acreage HomeOther
Describe any stairs the dog will have to navigate?
Sometimes this is an issue with a dog with orthopedic problems.
Do you rent or own?
OwnRent (but landlord allows large dogs)Rent (I don't know the pet policy
Explain any limits on pet ownership where you live Neighborhood Rules, Apartment Rules
Do you have a completely fenced in yard for the dog?
A fence is not mandatory but in many placements of a dog with temperament issues it may be.Yes, Normal FenceYes, Invisible FenceNo Fence
Fence Dimensions and Type Please indicate the material type
If no fence, please describe your exercise and potty walk plans
Describe Where will the dog be kept during the day and during the night?

Your Pet History

Please describe other dogs or cats in the home
Ex: Pet 1: Name, Type, Sex, Breed, Size, Spayed or Neutered Ex: Pet 2: Name, Type, Sex, Breed, Size, Spayed or Neutered
Please Describe Your Past Dogs
(Name, Years with you, Age, Cause or Death or Departure from Home)
Have you ever trained a pet?
If yes, what methods have used? (i.e. clickers, choke collars, etc) | Describe your house training experience
Are the pets allowed on the furniture?
YesNo
Describe your small pets?
Mice, Hamster, Rat, Snake, etc...
Do you own livestock?
YesNo
Have you had to surrender a pet? Please Describe the Circumstances
Of the dogs you own or have owned, what did you enjoy most about dog ownership?
Of the dogs you own or have owned, what did you enjoy least about dog ownership?
Current or Past Veterinarian (Name)
Vet Address
Street AddressApt, Suite, Bldg. (optional)CityState / Province / RegionPostal / Zip CodeCountry

Your Interest in Bernese Mountain Dog Adoption

Is there a particular dog you are interested in adopting?
Will you have time to attend training classes to achieve a rapport with a Rescue Dog, which will result in a successful placement?
YesNoNeed to understand more
Have you asked yourself whether your lifestyle is so busy that you might not have the time or energy to properly care for a Bernese Mountain Dog?
YesNoNeed More Information
How do family members feel about getting a Bernese Mountain Dog?
Are there other breeds you have been considering?
Describe your past ownership or personal interaction with Bernese Mountain Dogs?
Why do you want a Berner?
How did you learn about the breed?
What do you like about the breed?
What do you dislike about the breed?
How do you plan to exercise a Berner?
Questions to consider about Berner Adoption Please give some thought to each of the following questions, rather than automatically answering yes. Berners are a high-maintenance dog, and while you may love the breed, you may discover that you do not have the time or the resources to devote to its upkeep. But if you do, a Berner will more than repay you with a lifetime of loyalty.
Are you prepared to spend $200.00 or more a year on heartworm preventative, flea control and annual vaccine titers or vaccinations for a large breed dog like the Bernese Mountain Dog?
YesNo
Are you aware that the care of some of the problems that Bernese can run in to thousands of dollars?
YesNo
Are you prepared to deal with the cost, which often is more expensive due to the breeds large size, of non-routine/emergency veterinary care, especially as the dog gets older?
YesNo
Are you willing to spend a half an hour every other day for regular grooming and more time during the spring and fall sheds or have the dog professionally groomed?
YesNo
Are you willing to provide training to solve any behavior problems?
YesNo
Describe behavior problems that you would consider intolerable?
(Biting, growling, barking, house soiling, digging)
Would you be willing to adopt a BMD with special needs, i.e., older, needs surgery, needs medication, blind or deaf?
YesNo
Would you be willing to adopt a BMD with requiring special training?
YesNo
Please check any preferences you may have in a dog
MaleFemaleAdultPuppyPurebredBerner Mix
May we visit your home and check your references?
YesNo
Mi Bernese Rescue cooperates with breeders who may have dogs to place. These dogs are not screened by the Rescue, and technically not part of the rescue network. Would you like information on such dogs if any are available?
YesNo

Application Confirmation

I attest that all answers offered on this application are truthful. I understand that HMBMDR reserves the right to refuse an applicant for any reason. *
Yes I understand the terms

Verification

Please enter any two digits *Example: 12
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