Scheduled Adoption Events

Please review our Adoption Process before filling out an application.  If you would like to try a Foster to Adopt trial, please fill out an Adoption Application. 

If you are only interested in temporarily Fostering one of our rescues, please fill out a Foster Application.

Meet Tara!

Tara needs an EXPERIENCED foster asap!  Please read her bio thoroughly and submit an online application!

UPDATE 4-16-21:  Tara will need an EXPERIENCED foster or adopter!

Tara is a a beautiful medium-sized dog, who was rescued from Mexico and has trust issues with people she does not know.  She became very bonded to her foster family once she arrived in San Diego, but this caused her to become VERY protective of them and to react to people she did not know.  Therefore, we have had to reevaluate the type of socializing/training she will need to overcome these behaviors.  We are looking for an experienced foster or an adopter who can do a foster-to-adopt trial for a pup who will need a lot of help with socialization, so as not to keep her attached to just one person/family.  She will need training, including daily walks and interaction with new people, as well as positive reinforcement to help her acclimate and trust new people.

Tara is now in a new temporary foster home, which she shares with multiple cats and dogs and we will say she is NOT ok with cats. She is certainly an alpha dog personality towards other dogs. She is great friends with dogs like Georgie and Nash. Georgie and Nash are about her age, size and energy level. However, both boys are very different in personality: One is very submissive/goofy and the other could be a macho boy.  Either way, they both know she is TOP boss and just play and run around with her in the yard. Tara can play rough and be a little assertive and dominant over the boys, who don't challenge her and it’s fine by them.  However, because of this, she may not be best with all dogs.

Her current foster is a single working female with multiple dogs and cats in the home.  When Tara met her for the first time, she was scared and tried snapping.  But a week later when Tara transferred to her care, she was 'normal' and showed no signs of aggression at all.  There was some distrust, but nothing to be concerned about.  After 48 hours of Tara being under her care, her new foster realized she could do anything to Tara (i.e. trim her nails, etc.).  She had been unable to do these things when she first met her, because Tara was nervous and had no trust.  Now she feels completely safe around her new foster and is a different dog. This explains why Tara did so badly at the vet clinic.  We have come to learn Tara's history, which is probably that of being hurt by people and going on a "fight vs flight' mentality when she feels threatened. For this reason we are in DESPERATE need of a foster home for her, who can make sure they can socialize her properly by taking her around different people/places and not allowing her to bond to just the home/people she knows in her ‘bubble.’  They will need to take her 'out and about' into the world, like pet stores, car rides, walks, and stops to say hello to strangers and other dogs during walks.  Tara is a dog who is not only beautiful, smart, and a very loyal companion, but t we consider her very LOVING (with trust issues).  She will need proper socialization if we are to be able to help her EVER find a forever family.

Tara is crate trained and can spend 8 hours in her crate at night and through the day off and on.
She would be a great hiking and/or running partner, but can also play with a doggy friend in the yard.  She will need dog training, like leash training and basic commands.  Tara loved her previous foster children (the previous family has 3 sweet young boys).  If her new foster family has children, the first days/week should be closely monitored.  But once she gets to know her new family, we know she would be safe around them.  If there is a dog in the home, proper dog introduction would be needed and will be dependent on the personality of the dog in the home.  Tara is not a barker, but she has the potential to be (as any shepherd, who can be a guard dog), if she hears things while she is in the yard playing.

PLEASE, help us help Tara! She is a great dog, who needs help in a one-on-one foster home, who can make her a priority and expose her to new things so she can learn and be trained. We are happy to get the new foster family in contact with a dog trainer right away, if they can commit to the sessions. Thank you!

UPDATE 4-4-21:  Another update from Tara's foster:

"Tara has now truly bonded with us. She is such a great dog with so much love to give. She is quite unique in that she literally gives each of our family members a gentle human like upright hug when she is happy to see us. She is a quiet dog, yet protective of our home. She enjoys going for walks on the leash and is food motivated. She really enjoys being around our family and is very affectionate giving lots of kisses. She enjoys being by our side and part of the pack. She plays well with our other foster dog as well."

UPDATE 4-2-21:  Here is what Tara's foster family has to say about her:

"Tara is such a sweet dog. It took her a little while to warm up to us, but once she did, she is now such an affectionate and loving companion. She enjoys her family time and focused attention with us, but also can play with our other foster dog or alone and entertain herself. She is submissive and likes to cuddle, but can show a gentle confidence as well with other dogs on the rare occasion. She will seek us out in the yard or in the house for some extra attention, it’s very cute. She has amazing agility, is intelligent, obedient, and we find her to be easy to train. She is crate and house trained. She is not a barky dog. She does sometimes get a bit scared when meeting new people in our home. She enjoys children and has done well with our 3 children ages 3, 5, and 7, as well as our cat. It will be very important that her forever family continue to socialize her with dogs and people, as well as continue dog training."

If you would like to adopt this sweet girl, please fill out an online adoption application at www.arwob.org  Don't wait!

If you would like to meet one of our animals, PLEASE fill out an adoption application.

Dog Adoption Application

Cat Adoption Application

PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE IN THE MILITARY  please fill out a short questionnaire in addition to the adoption application.

Military Questionnaire