Adopting a pet from Vucjak Shelter

Whether you’ve found a dog you wish to apply for, or you’re not sure which dog is right for you, please fill out an adoption application, and we can work with you to find the right match.

 Many dogs at Vucjak Shelter have not yet experienced the warmth and love of a home environment. We assess our dogs as best as possible and provide as much information as we can prior to adoption. We ask for your patience and compassion for dogs who require adjustment to their new homes—we know they are thankful for the opportunity to be part of your family.

Adoption FAQ

Can I visit the shelter?

Yes! Visitors are welcome at the shelter. If you are travelling from outside of Serbia, you must follow the country’s travel and quarantine guidelines. Please visit the government of Serbia’s official websites for the latest information on travel guidelines.

 Are your dogs spayed/neutered and vetted, and tested for heartworm? 

 Yes, upon arrival to the shelter, all dogs are vaccinated, treated for injuries and a full health exam is given to determine any underlying health conditions such as heartworm, parvo, distemper, etc. We have a spay/neuter program in place, and before a dog is released for transport, we spay/neuter. There are circumstances when a dog is released prior to spay/neuter, such as in the case of a young puppy or a senior dog.

Are puppies vaccinated and tested against parvovirus?

Yes, all dogs are immediately vaccinated, treated for injuries and a full health exam is given to determine any underlying health conditions such as heartworm, parvo, distemper, etc.

Do you adopt abroad?

Yes, our adoptions are not limited to Europe.  We are working diligently to find rescue partners in the USA, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and other countries to help facilitate adoptions.

 How do I adopt from you if I live in the U.S., Canada, the EU or the UK? 

Each adoption is different and must be assessed on a case by case basis. First, an adoption application must be filled out, followed by an interview and home check (either by phone or in person). Then, depending on the location of the potential adopter, we connect with a rescue partner or intermediary to help with the process. Once this is done, we prepare the dog for transport—this can range from 30-120 days to organize and transport depending on the adopter’s location.   

Do you have rescue partners abroad? 

Yes, currently we have rescue partners in the UK, Germany, USA and Canada. We are doing our best to network and connect with potential rescues daily. Unfortunately, many rescues are full or don’t have the capability to deal with overseas adoptions.  

How do rescue partners work?

A rescue partner is a non-profit organization that rescues animals and is dedicated to pet adoption. These groups take in a small number of animals and utilize fosters to provide a home and training for the animals in their care. They have a network of fosters, trainers and adopters in place to help the dog (or cat!) transition into its new environment. Vucjak Shelter only joins with partners that have ‘foster to adopt’ programs. We do not partner with shelters or anywhere they keep animals in cages or kennels. The rescue must have a proven track record of adoptions, and must have their own network of fosters/adopters. They also must facilitate training for the dogs they take in; such as leash training, potty training, and basic household manners prior to adoption. Vucjak Shelter dogs are ‘free range’—many have never lived in a home, they don’t know what it's like to be on a leash; or to have constant human attention. The rescue partners and fosters are trained to bring them out of their shell and provide them with the skills to transition into a home. Rescue partners are also there to support adopters—they maintain constant contact with the adopter through the first three months—or even up to a year—to provide support and advice to the adopter during the crucial transition period. They are also there in case of owner surrender and are responsible for finding a suitable home for the animal. Believe it or not, owner surrender happens more often than you think! This is all a part of being a rescue partner. 

Can I still adopt a dog without going through a rescue partner?

Yes, however, an intermediary must be close to your area. An intermediary is a trusted friend or volunteer for the shelter. For example, we have intermediaries in many areas throughout Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, USA and Canada. They help us conduct interviews and home checks and are there to support the adopter. They are also responsible for rehoming the dog in case of owner surrender.  

What are the fees associated with adopting a dog from your shelter? 

We do not charge an adoption fee if the dog is transported directly through Vucjak Shelter. All fees associated with adopting a dog directly from Vucjak Shelter are paid by the shelter. We do not charge an adoption fee if the dog is transported directly through Vucjak Shelter. The only charge the adopter is responsible for is the transport cost, and this is based on the location of the adopter, cost of vehicle transport, cost of airline transport and brokerage fees, or all of the above.

Does my dog require a passport?

All animals require a passport to leave Serbia—we obtain and cover the cost of all passports and documentation.

 Does my dog require papers to enter my home country, and if so, which papers will I need?

All documentation is obtained and done through Vucjak Shelter and our veterinary team. 

Does Vucjak Shelter provide all medical records for entry into the adopted dog’s home country?

All medical records and documentation for transport are provided through Vucjak Shelter by our veterinary team.

Does my dog have to be quarantined upon arriving in its country of adoption?

 Every country is different, and we have not yet encountered transporting an animal to a country where the animal must be quarantined upon arrival, however, some countries may require this of new adoption arrivals. When getting a dog ready for transport, there is a period after titre testing is done where the animal must be quarantined.  We have regulated quarantine facilities on-site, and our animals are quarantined before transportation and before final vetting is completed.

Rescue partners

Become a rescue partner:

Are you a reputable, foster-based rescue? If yes, please consider partnering with us. Our goal is to bring the number of dogs down to a manageable 350 dogs at the shelter and give our wonderful dogs a chance to have families of their own. Rescue partners help us to:

• Decreasing the number of the dogs at the shelter

• Giving dogs much-needed one-on-one attention and training to help them transition into a loving family home

• Socializing dogs to a home environment and helping them transition into family life

• Helping them find loving families of their own

Current rescue partners:

Angels for Animals Foundation: England, UK
Hoboken Happy Paws: Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
Must Love Pups: Colorado, USA
Hartman’s Hounds: Ohio, USA
Lil Paw Print Rescue: Ohio, USA
Pack Pride Sanctuary:  Ohio, USA
Love at Last Dog Rescue:  British Columbia, Canada / Washington, USA
Nothilfe Polarhunde Nord eV: Lunenburg, Germany