Before you begin...A word from us
We know that the application process you are about to begin is a long one and can sometimes seem a little intimidating.
Many of us felt the same way when we first adopted a rescue dog.  Why do you ask so many questions?  Why do you ask
for references? And why is there a fee?
Sadly this is not an unusual sight for us. Some of our
dogs have been abused, neglected, suffered
sicknesses and pain, and at the very least, abandoned
by the people who, at one time, promised to love and
care for them.  We go to great lengths to make sure
that this never happens to them again, once they are
in our care.
This is why.
We are looking for the best home possible for these dogs.  We aren't in a hurry.  We are willing to care for them
until the right family comes along.  We give them extensive medical care and so we ask for the adoption donations
to cover the cost.  The adoption donation for your dog allows us to save another just like the one above and have
money to pay to restore him to the life he deserves. Thank you for understanding and now for more...
Are Adoption Fees Too High?
Do you have kids under ten?
Learn more
Do you have pets that live outside?
Learn more
Do you have pets that have not been spayed or neutered?
Learn more
So, if you still feel this is right for you, take a deep breath and begin.  Take your time, answer all the
questions.  The information is kept confidential and doesn't obligate you or us. We are glad you have made
this decision to join us in rescue.
Step 1    The Adoption Application
Please fill out EVERY BLANK. Your application can't be processed if you leave blanks.
Please tell us about the people that live with you and the people that visit you frequently.
Are there smokers in your household? Allergies prevent some of our dogs from being in homes with smokers.
If you don't have a securely fenced yard, how will you ENSURE the safety of your dog?
If you rent, please give us the name and phone number of your landlord.
Age when you
got
them
Where are your pets kept when you are not at home?
Are you wiling to attend a short seminar on the health and care of a Lhasa or Shih Tzu?
List the dogs by name that your are interested in.
List any personality traits you would like to see in your new dog. (lap dog, playful, quiet).
How many hours in a normal day will the dog be left alone?.
Who will take care of the dog when you are out of town.?
Please give us the name and contact information of your current vet.  Please let them know that we will be contacting them. If you have no vet, write NO VET in
"Name" box.
Please give us the name and phone number of your groomer.  If you don't use a groomer, write "No Groomer".
Please give us the names of three references who have dogs that we can contact for information about how you interact with your pets.  Only one family member
please. This part of the application is sometimes the most time consuming.  Please let your references know that we may be contacting them.
Why do you believe that you will be able to provide an excellent home for this dog?
All dogs will need to be re-house trained to your home and your routine. How do you plan to house train your new dog?
Although we do not take people aggressive dogs into our program, we do accept abused and unsocialized dogs.  These dogs often need work with behavior problems.  
How will you deal with behavior problems like snapping or biting?  Any dog that has ANY known history of snapping will not be adopted to a family with children.  But
understand that a dog may react differently and you must be prepared to deal with it.
Do you understand that dogs can bite out of fear and distrust?  Unfortunately, they do not have hands to slap the face of that stranger that is grabbing and touching
them.  The only way they have to protect themselves is with their teeth.
Do you understand that 75% of the dog bite cases involve dogs that have never bitten anyone before and that you, as the owner of a dog should take whatever
measures are necessary to avoid putting your dog in a situation where he might become afraid and snap.
We ask that you take your dog to an obedience class within two months of adopting the dog.  Please state whether you are or are not willing to take this dog to an
obedience class.  If you are not, tell us why not.
Shih Tzus and Lhasa Apsos can easily live 17 or 18 years.  Who will take care of your dog if something should happen to you and you can no longer take care of
him?  Please give us their name and e-mail.
**For the dog's safety and your sanity, we also ask you to obtain a crate and crate train you dog.**
**We are an all volunteer organization.  We all have full time jobs and families. All that we do with this organization is done in our spare time so we
ask that you be patient.  It you don't hear from us in a week or so, please e-mail us.  We love to hear from you by e-mail and are happy to answer any
questions you have as the process goes along.
When we bring dogs into our program, we have our vet perform the procedures that you, as a responsible pet owner , would have done after you
adopt.  This would include spay/neuter, DHLPPC immunization, Rabies immunization, Bordetella immunization, general health examination, dental
procedures, tumor removal, heart worm treatment (if necessary), etc.  The ONLY way we can continue to save dogs from certain euthanasia is with
the donations you make to reimburse Shih Tzu Rescue for these veterinary procedures.  Except in very special cases, we request a minimum
donation of between $150- $400 which covers the basic cost mentioned above.  We also  treat heart worms, put the dogs through necessary
surgeries etc.  All we ask is the minimum donation.

Our goal is to never say no to a Tzu or Lhasa in danger of euthanasia-the only way we can do it is with your donation.  Your donation replaces what
we spent on your dog and gives us the funds to rescue another.  If you can donate more than the adoption donation for your dog, we would really
appreciate it.
Please acknowledge that you understand the adoption donation policy.
Is there anything else that you would like for us to consider when processing your application?
Please type the following paragraph in the box below. Substitute your name (s) in the space indicated
By submission of this application, I/We (insert name here) assert that all statements and answers given in said application are the said truth.  Any
misrepresentation of the truth in this application will invalidate any subsequent adoption agreement and will give Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso
Rescue of Texas the right to reclaim the adopted dog without refund of the adoption fee.
Please look over ALL of the answer you gave on this application.  If you left critical information out we cannot process the application and we will ask you to fill
it out again. We know this is time consuming but we are only trying to find the perfect home for each little dog.
After clicking the submit button, use the back arrow to return to this page and continue with Step 2.
You may print out the application and mail it or fax it to us.
LSSTALAR,  P. O. Box 122,  Barker, TX   77413-0122,  Fax 281-754-4851    
Step 2
The Adoption Application
Please call your current vet and have them fax your records to us.  Our fax number is 281-754-4851.  If your pet has recently
passed on, your vet will most likely still have your records
Step 3
The Adoption Application
Your next step is to have three references fill out our on-line reference form
or ask them to fax or mail a paper copy or e-mail a copy back to us.  

Click here for the reference forms.
More information for you to consider...

We do adopt to certain people out of state.  We ask that you come to Texas to meet and pick up your dog.  We believe
you, too, want to be certain that this is the dog for you, so we ask that you arrange to stay a day or so getting to know
your new family member before you travel back home. Of course, if it happens that you don't like the dog or it doesn't
get along with your cat or other pets, you are responsible for getting him or her back  to us.  

The average life span for a shih tzu can easily be 15-16 years.  We try to match the life span of the dog to a family.  
Understand that we do not want these little guys to be homeless again in just a few years.  

If you are applying to adopt a very young dog (under three years of age), in most cases, we will require that you have
another dog of a similar age.  Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apsos like companionship and need a friend with which to play.

**Please realize that it may cost as much as $1200.00 a year for grooming, routine veterinary visits, high quality food
and supplements and non-routine veterinary visits.**
Name


Lone Star Shih Tzu &Lhasa Apso Rescue
First  & Last Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Home Phone
Cell Phone
Email Address
Birthdate mm/dd/yy
Employer
Occupation
Work Phone
Work E-mail
I am applying to
Co-Applicant Information
First  & Last Name
Relationship to applicant
Home & Cell Phone
Email Address
Employer
Work Phone
Occupation
Relationship to you
 Frequency of Visits
Age
Which best describes your current residence?
How is your yard fenced?
Do you have a dog door?
If you have a pool, how will you keep a dog safe?
Please tell us about any current pets.
Age
Now
Sex
Species
 Breed
 Where did you get them?
Please tell us about your past pets.
What happened to him
or her?  Be specific
Age when
you got him
 How long did you
have him?
Sex
Species
 Breed
Where will the dog stay when you are not at home?
Where will the dog sleep?
Vet's Name
Fax Number
Phone Number
Pet's they have seen
Years taken
 Name on the account
E-mail
 Phone
 Address
Why do you want a dog ?  Please elaborate
Adoption Donations
Name
Name
Signature
Date
Name