Buffalo Underdogs Rescue does not operate on a “first come, first served” basis. We believe in finding the perfect match for every dog. We carefully review applications to ensure a successful and fulfilling adoption experience for both the dog and their new family. BUR's Adoption Process: Find Your Perfect Match: View our adoptable dogs here. Submit an Application: Once you've found a dog that steals your heart, submit an online application. Foster Review & Reference Checks: The foster parent will carefully review all applications to find the best match for their dog. Your personal and veterinary references will be contacted during this time. Home Visit/Meet & Greet Scheduled: If your application is a match, the foster will contact you to schedule a home visit. This is your chance to meet the dog, observe their interactions with your family, and explore how they would fit into your home. *Important Note: All family members, including children and other pets, must be present during the home visit.* Decision Time: After the home visit, both the foster and your family are encouraged to take 24 hours to consider the match. Scheduling the Adoption: If both parties agree it's a good fit, we can then proceed with scheduling the adoption. Prior to the adoption, please ensure your new Underdog has a collar with an identifying tag that includes your phone number. ​ If the Underdog you are interested in is not listed below or if you are applying to Foster-To-Adopt, please fill out a General Application.​

Every adoption journey begins with a home visit. This is a crucial step to ensure a successful match for both the dog and your family. During the home visit, all members of your household, including children, cats, and other dogs, must be present. If you have resident dogs, the foster will typically arrange a "neutral ground" meeting outside your home. This allows the dogs to become acquainted in a less stressful environment. The foster will guide you through a brief walk with your dogs, allowing them to observe each other. If the initial interaction is positive, you can then allow them to sniff and potentially play together (always keeping them leashed). The foster will then bring the Underdog into your home to observe their interactions with your resident dogs indoors. Building positive relationships between dogs takes time. If you or the foster have any concerns, a second meet and greet can be arranged to further assess the compatibility. Remember, even if a particular dog isn't the right fit for your family, there are many other wonderful Underdogs waiting for their forever homes!

Buffalo Underdogs Rescue is a foster-based organization. We don't have a physical shelter; instead, our amazing network of foster families provides temporary care for rescued dogs in the Buffalo, NY area. To meet our adoptable dogs, we encourage you to: Check our website and Facebook page: We regularly post updates on upcoming adoption events where you can meet some of our wonderful dogs in person. Apply for a specific dog: If you've fallen in love with a particular dog on our website, you can apply for them directly and schedule an in-home meet and greet with their foster family.

The adoption fee varies based on the dog's age: Puppies (under 1 year): $500 (with a $50 rebate for completion of a puppy training class within 90 days of adoption) Adults (1-7 years): $450 (with a $50 rebate for completion of a training class within 90 days of adoption) Seniors (8 years and older): $200

If the Underdog you are interested in is not listed, or if you are applying to Foster-To-Adopt, please fill out a General Application.

Your new Underdog is up-to-date on all age-appropriate vaccinations. Your foster will provide you with a detailed vaccination record, including any upcoming boosters. We recommend scheduling a wellness check-up with your veterinarian within a week of adoption. This allows your vet to perform a thorough examination and recommend any necessary vaccinations or further care.

Given that all of the members of our rescue are volunteers, we keep our adoption radius to within a 45 minute drive from Buffalo zip code 14226 (US Only). This is due to the fact that each puppy/dog must have a meet and greet in the potential adopter’s home, with all family members (including resident dogs and cats) present. We also reserve the right to complete welfare checks on our adopted dogs from time to time, so we limit how far away they may be adopted. We may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. This is at the discretion of Buffalo Underdogs Rescue.

No, a fenced yard is not required to adopt from Buffalo Underdogs Rescue. We understand that many people rely on walks for exercise and potty breaks. However, we do not condone chaining or tethering and recommend never leaving your dog outside unattended. ​ If a particular dog's well-being would significantly benefit from having a fenced yard, we will clearly state this as a requirement in their adoption profile.

Yes, you can adopt an Underdog as long as your apartment complex is dog-friendly. During the adoption process, we will need to speak with your landlord or leasing office to verify your lease agreement. We will also require a copy of your lease at the time of the meet and greet. This helps us understand any breed, size, or weight restrictions that may apply. Our top priority is the well-being of our dogs. Therefore, we carefully consider the size and activity level of each dog in relation to the available space in your apartment and the surrounding environment.

We accept cash, checks made payable to "Buffalo Underdogs Rescue," and Venmo.