Dog in a flower field

Adopting a Sheltie

At NVSR, our goal is simple: to match our rescued Shelties with the right home. We take a thoughtful, structured approach to adoption so both our Shelties and adopters can thrive.

Step 1: Application to Adopt

Please complete the application for adoption using the online form. 
You can indicate in the application if you are interested in a specific Sheltie. You’ll receive confirmation of receipt after submitting the form.

Step 2: We look for matches

After we review your application, we will follow up with you to answer questions and discuss potential matches. We generally have more applicants than dogs, so be patient. However, you might be the best home for one of our foster dogs even though someone has been waiting longer.

Steps for Adoption

Step 3: Home Visit

If we have a foster dog that looks like a promising fit for you, a home visit volunteer will schedule a visit. All household members, including pets, must be present. During the visit, we:
  • Answer your questions and talk “Sheltie.”
  • Consider the house, yard, safety (fencing, stairs, hazards), other pets, and so on.
  • Discuss preferences for age, size, and temperament.

Step 4: References & Approval

NVSR will contact your references, including your current veterinary clinic. Once you are approved, someone from the adoption team will contact you about the next steps. 
The next step is to send your approved application to our adoption committee for the final review.
The adoption team sends approved applications to our foster providers whose foster dog might be a match for you. Foster providers know their dogs best and help identify the most likely matches. The foster provider will contact you to discuss and answer any questions you may have before they arrange a meeting with the dog.

Adoption Fees and What They Support

Adoption fees vary by age and help support the veterinary and foster care each NVSR Sheltie receives. Adoption fees cover only a portion of the actual costs. 
NVSR typically spends four times or more on veterinary care than the adoption fee covers—often $950 or more per Sheltie. Foster families donate food, housing, daily care, training, and love. Donations and fundraising make our work possible.
  • 3 years and under: $450
  • Adults 4 – 9 years: $350
  • Seniors 10+ years: $200

Follow-Up Support

Foster providers remain available after adoption to answer questions and help support a smooth transition. After the first few months, NVSR’s Shepherd team continues to follow up and can refer any concerns to our volunteers with relevant experience and knowledge of Shelties.

Step 5: Matchmaking

Step 6: Meet & Greet

Meeting a foster dog usually takes place at the foster home so that your entire family can meet the dog in a familiar, comfortable environment.

Step 7: Adoption Day (aka Gotcha Day!)

If everyone agrees it’s a good fit, you will sign the adoption contract and pay the adoption fee. You will then receive a detailed “Care of Your Adopted Dog” packet that includes your dog’s medical history, current medications (including any remaining heartworm and flea/tick preventatives), confirmation that your dog is microchipped, daily routines, and any known behavioral or training considerations.

NVSR provides foster dogs with comprehensive veterinary care, including:

Foster families evaluate their foster’s behavior or adaptation when appropriate:

What You Can Expect from NVSR

Every Sheltie is placed in an experienced foster home for at least two weeks, often longer, to allow for proper evaluation and adjustment. Dogs are carefully evaluated for health, temperament, and their ability to adapt to a new setting.
  • Spay or neuter (or a spay/neuter contract for puppies under six months; surgery covered by NVSR)
  • Vaccinations
  • Heartworm and tick-borne disease testing and treatment
  • Parasite screening
  • Microchipping
  • Grooming
  • Dental care when needed
  • Compatibility with dogs, cats, and children
  • House-training and leash skills
  • Crate tolerance
  • Comfort with car travel
  • Response to basic verbal commands
  • Behaviors of concern (dogs with aggressive behavior or a serious bite history are not placed for adoption.)

Other take-homes

  • Adopters receive a martingale collar and leash at adoption.
  • A detailed sheet on instructions for feeding, commands the dog knows, habits, and preferences to make their adjustment easier.
  • A complete medical history is provided whenever possible.

Home, Safety, and Daily Care

Fencing Requirements

What We Expect from Adopters

NVSR places Shelties as family members, not accessories. Adoption is a lifetime commitment. If an adopter can no longer keep a dog for any reason, NVSR must be contacted, and the dog returned to NVSR.
  • Dogs must live indoors and be part of daily family life.
  • Dogs may not be left outdoors unattended for extended periods or housed in outdoor kennels.
  • Dogs must be kept on a leash unless in a secure, physically fenced area.
  • Daily exercise and mental stimulation are essential.
  • Secure, physical fencing is strongly preferred for all dogs. It is required for:

Health and Identification

  • All resident pets must be spayed or neutered and current on vaccinations (limited medical or show exceptions may apply).
  • Dogs must receive year-round heartworm and flea/tick prevention.
  • Dogs must wear identification tags, including an NVSR tag.
  • Puppies and young dogs
  • Dogs with higher exercise or safety needs
  • Some dogs may not require a fenced yard and may do well with consistent neighborhood walks.
  • Invisible, electronic, or electric fencing is not permitted. It does not reliably protect dogs.

Do you have a shelter where I can meet the dogs?

No. NVSR uses foster providers. Our dogs live in volunteers’ homes throughout Virginia and some nearby states. Applicants may meet a dog only after being approved to adopt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most are surrendered by owners facing life changes. Others come from breeders or shelters. Shelters frequently transfer Shelties and Sheltie mixes to NVSR.

Where do your dogs come from?

The process may take weeks—or longer—depending on your preferences and the dogs available. A dog’s medical or behavioral needs can extend timelines.

How long does adoption take?

We primarily operate within Virginia and nearby states (MD, WV, DC, DE). For harder-to-place dogs, we may consider applicants farther away with an approved local home visit.

Do you adopt outside of Virginia?

You may return the dog within two weeks for a full refund. After that, the dog must always be returned to NVSR, but the fee is not refundable.

What if the adoption doesn’t work out?

Sometimes. Older, well-trained dogs often work best. We carefully match experience level to a dog’s needs and provide ongoing guidance.

Are Shelties good for first-time dog owners?

A securely fenced yard is strongly preferred for young dogs. Some adults do well with leash-only exercise depending on temperament and owner commitment. Invisible, electronic, or electric fencing is not permitted, as it does not reliably protect dogs.

Do I need a fenced yard?

Possibly, depending on its age, energy level, and support (e.g., dog walker). Young dogs should not be left alone all day.

We work full-time. Could a Sheltie still be a fit?