Adoption Process

Adoption Process

  1. READ PET BIOS: View the profiles of the available dogs (and occasionally cats) that are available for adoption.(You can often find more images of available pets on Instagram.) If you find an animal you are interested in adopting, submit an application right from the dog's profile page . If you don't see the animal you are looking for, fill out the application for an Unlisted or Unknown Dog and it will give you a head start on the adoption process.

  2. FILL OUT AN APPLICATION: On the dog's profile, click the 'Adopt' button and fill out the Adoption Application. Our Adoption Application has four parts:

  • Personal Information

  • Family

  • Home

  • Training

After you submit your completed application, you will receive a confirmation email from support@petstablished.com (Petstablished is the rescue management program we use).

  1. PRELIMINARY APPLICATION REVIEW: Once our Adoption Team receives your application, they will review it as quickly as possible. Please remember that we are an all-volunteer organization and doing our best to get back to you as soon as we can!

  2. FINAL APPLICATION REVIEW: The Final Application Review includes:

  • Phone Interview

  • Virtual Home Check

  1. MEET AND GREET: After your application is approved, and if the dog you are interested in adopting is in foster care in your area, you will be invited to do a meet and greet with the dog and foster family. Together we will decide if the perfect match has been made. If the dog you want to adopt is still in Mexico, our Adoptions Team will work with you to find the right match, and then coordinate the transportation and receiving. In special cases, Foster to Adopt may be the best option.

  2. ADOPTION AGREEMENT: Once your application has been approved, you will be invited to do a meet and greet to ensure the perfect match has been made. You will be emailed an Adoption Agreement that needs to be completed and returned.

  3. ADOPTION DONATION: In order for the adoption to be finalized make your adoption donation to Surfers for Strays. (Payment methods and information will be provided in the Adoption Agreement.)

Adoption Donation

Our Standard Adoption Donation: USD$350

Refundable Training Deposit: USD$75

Additional Transportation Fee of USD$100 may be requested if additional transfers are required.

Adoption FAQ

How long will it take for my application to be reviewed?

Generally you will hear from a Surfers for Strays Volunteer about your application status within 10 business days. However, we triage applications based on where dogs (and cats) are located and which are most in need of a home or foster.


What does it mean to apply to adopt/foster an "Unlisted or Unknown Cat/Dog" ?

If you have submitted an application for an Unlisted or Unknown Cat/Dog you could be pre-approved to adopt or foster the dog (or cat) of your choice when they become available.


Can I apply for multiple pets?

Unless they are a bonded pair the application is for one dog. If you are interested in multiple dogs (or cats) please fill out one application and at the end you can write a note for our Adoption Team with the names of other dogs (or cats) you might be interested in.


Do I have to fly down to Mexico to adopt from Surfers for Strays?

You don't have to fly down to Mexico to adopt from us. We arrange transportation for our adopted dogs. We are fortunate enough to have volunteers that escort our dogs to the United States and Canada. But if you are interested in visiting us in Zihuatanejo, you are more than welcome to come check us out!


Does Surfers for Strays have cats for adoption?

We do rescue cats and kittens but most of our cats and/or kittens are with our sister organizations.


What breed is the dog?

Mexi-Mix or Meximutt is the best description for almost all of the dogs we help. We cannot guarantee a breed or mix. Often we don't know who the parents are when puppies are abandoned or relinquished anonymously. Sometimes we know who the mother is, but not the father. Even when we know the parents, it is likely that they are a mix of many breeds. Our vets and Rescue Center volunteers can make an educated guess based on appearance, but that is all.