2. We would need to have a local representative do the home visit;

3. We would need to have a back up rescue who would take the dog in the event the adoption did not work out OR a commitment that the dog would be hand delivered to LHH, which would be firmly agreed upon prior to the adoption being completed.

4. No dog, under any circumstances, would ever be shipped by cargo to an adopter. This is not negotiable!!

We do, from time to time, adopt to homes in Northern California. All of the above qualifications must be met.

Our goal is to always make the right match for the dogs in our charge. The only way we can do that is by meeting the potential guardians and learning as much about them as we possibly can. This is not only to benefit the dog, but to benefit the guardian...as it has to be a right fit for all!!
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Do you adopt outside Southern California?
We will consider an adoption to the right home outside of Southern California; however, the same policies would apply as those for an out-of-state adoption (see above.).
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What is a home check?
Prior to finalizing an adoption, a representative of Lhasa Happy Homes will visit your home to see where the dog will be living. The goal here is not to be invasive but to insure the best environment for the dog. Since we’ve had first-hand experience with each animal, we can advise you of areas to be cautious (i.e., if it is a jumper, escape artist, garbage can junkie or just likes to open the refrigerator and get a snack!) and help you make adjustments, if/where necessary. This is done to guarantee the ultimate protection of the dog so that both canine and parents enjoy the best experience!
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Is there an adoption fee?
There is a minimum adoption donation for each dog which ranges from $150-400, depending on the age and breed. All dogs are spay/neutered, vaccinated, de-wormed, given flea control and groomed. If medication, surgery or behavioral training is indicated, Lhasa Happy Homes pays for these procedures before any adoption is completed. We also include a 3 oz bottle of Colostrum (highest quality available from New Zealand) in your adoption package, which is a supplement that we give each of the dogs to build up their immune systems. We don’t know where most of them have been and we want to see to it that their new start in life is a good one! Lhasa Happy Homes rarely has puppies for adoption, since puppies don’t usually need to be adopted! On the rare occasion where we have a puppy, the adoption donation is on the high end.
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Why can I adopt a dog from a County shelter for $37 and it is $250 to adopt from a rescue organization?
We highly encourage the public to visit the shelters to find a dog if they (1) do not have another animal (2) don’t have any kids (3) are looking to save a life (4) would consider a senior dog (4) have the means to handle any medical expense that might occur. However, if you do not fit into any of these categories, we recommend going thru rescue. When you get a dog from a shelter, you have no information about the dog’s behavior, personality or medical status. You don’t know if the dog is good with other dogs, kids, people, cats or what issues the dog might have. One of the benefits of adopting from a rescue organization is that we evaluate the dog and can provide you with a good deal of this information.

Additionally, when you get a dog from the shelter, it is usually in pretty poor condition. Dog may have a simple case of kennel cough or something more serious….you never know! When you get a dog from rescue, no matter what the condition, we make sure when you adopt the dog is in good health. We are forthcoming with any medical maladies that we are aware of and complete any surgical procedure that is deemed necessary at the time of your adoption. The truth is, you can pay that $37-105 bail fee….and end up spending far more than $250 by the time you are thru!! In the long run….rescue is a bargain! [return to top]

Why is there an adoption donation?
Lhasa Happy Homes is a non profit, all volunteer organization that solely relies on donations for its existence. Last year, we spent 49% of our donations on medical care for the animals. We pay all expenses for each of the dogs out of pocket, which include adoption fees to the shelters; vet exams; vaccinations; spay/neutering; microchip; grooming; flea control; and de-worming for every dog; surgical procedures, x-rays, medication and/or behavioral training where indicated. Additionally, Lhasa Happy Homes provides each adoptive family with a gift of a leash, collar and identification tag; and you also receive one month FREE insurance with Shelter Care and a free evaluation and training session at Doggie Land. Without donations, Lhasa Happy Homes could not survive.
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Do you have a refund/return policy?
The adoption fee/donation is non-refundable.  However, if we have misrepresented the dog in some way, which is agreed to and substantiated by a veterinarian or trainer, then we would return the fee.  If the adopter changes their mind due to no fault of the dog, or if the dog is returned because it is not housebroken, there would be no refund.  The donation can be deducted from your annual taxes.  We will, however, take the dog back at any time during its lifetime. When you adopt a dog, you should be certain and have no question that this is the dog for you. We believe that by maintaining this policy, adopters will not make snap decisions and be very careful to make the right choice. Adopting a dog is not like buying a pair of shoes….it is bringing a new family member into the household and we want you to be sure when you take a dog home that it’s the right one for you. .
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What if we have a pet and the two pets don't get along? Is the adoption fee refundable?
It takes time for animals to get used to each other. Sometimes, it requires a trainer to come in and help. If you have another animal, the best thing to do before adopting an dog is to test your pet with other dogs. Socialize them in/out of your home. Have friends visit and bring their dogs over to see how your animal reacts. Make sure it is not only you who wants another family member in the home!! Do your homework before you adopt a dog! It is very hard on a dog to be shuffled around from home to home. If you have done due diligence, which includes training, and the pets still don't get along, your donation would be returned within the first thirty (30) days.
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I can’t keep my dog, will Lhasa Happy Homes take it for me?
While we frown on owner turn-ins (OTI), we recognize that there are situations that arise in life that are unavoidable wherein an animal must be re-homed. We do accept OTI on a space available, case-by-case basis. Naturally, dogs that are in jeopardy of losing their lives in the shelters are our first priority. In the event we do not have room and cannot foster your dog, we will post him/her for you on our web site and assist in its adoption.
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Is there a fee for surrendering a dog to Lhasa Happy Homes?
There is no mandatory fee for surrendering a dog to Lhasa Happy Homes if the dog is spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccinations. If they are not, we do request that the guardian sponsor these medical necessities. If a dog is being surrendered because of behavioral issues, we will only accept the animal from a guardian who will sponsor Behavioral Training at Doggie Land, our official training facility. The cost to sponsor training is $500.
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Are Lhasa Apso’s good with children?
While we steer away from stereotyping any breeds, as they all have their own unique personalities just like humans, it is our professional opinion that generally speaking, Lhasa Apso are not great with children.  In the same breath, there are some Lhasa who are absolutely wonderful with children, and we do our best to make this distinction in our descriptions of the dogs.  So, it is not fair to put a stigma on this breed!  Sometimes Lhasa mixes have better temperaments, as they have less attitude! If you are interested in adopting a Lhasa and you have young children (under 8), be very careful in your selection. We would highly recommend that you research any breed you are unfamiliar with before making a decision to adopt.
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Do you adopt to young children?
Lhasa Happy Homes has a policy wherein we do not adopt to families with children under 8 yrs old. The reason for this is tri-fold. Many people are under the misguided impression that Lhasa Apso are good with kids. The Lhasa was bred to be a guard dog in the Buddhist temples and they have a tendency to be very protective and dominant. Unfortunately, [most of the time] we do not know where these dogs come from, their history, if they have been abused, if they have come from a puppy mill, etc. When the dogs come to Lhasa Happy Homes, we evaluate them and can give our assessment of their personalities, but they are still really in the "honeymoon" period. Once they get into their forever homes, it will likely change. With this in mind, we prefer to take the safe route and not take a chance with a young child -- or their visiting friends!! We would not want to be responsible for one of our dogs scaring a child, or worse yet, scarring a child physically or emotionally. Therefore, it is our policy to not adopt to children under 8 yrs old and even then, it is at our discretion.
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Do you ever make exceptions and adopt to children under 8 yrs old?
The only exception to this rule would be a dog who was turned in, surrendered by owner or whose past has been fully disclosed to us and includes prior placement in a home with children. Even then, we would want to meet the potential adopter's children to see if this is a fit. It is not always the household children that are of concern, but often their friends. However, we do get dogs from time to time that we want to place in a home with children, that are not the Lhasa Apso breed, which is usually identified in the dog's individual profile.
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Do Lhasa Apso’s shed and are they hypoallergenic?
While there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, Lhasa Apso’s do not have a lot of dander, which is the allergen that causes a reaction in most people. They are double coated, so they have been taken off the “hypo” allergenic list and may not be suitable for people who have strong allergies to pets. Shih Tzu and Maltese are considered hypoallergenic dogs. They all shed very little and are very clean dogs. They do need to be groomed on a regular basis. You can read more about hypoallergenic dogs through the hyperlinks below:
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