Frequently Asked Questions: 


How do I adopt a TBIN dog?

  • Completing an Adoption Application is the first step towards being considered for one of TBIN's available dogs.  


Do you allow out-of-state adoptions? 

  • Our adoption area encompasses Maryland, DC, Northern Virginia, as well as parts of WV and PA that are within 50 miles of Smithsburg, MD.  Part of TBIN's adoption process includes a mandatory home visit and as such, we are unable to consider homes outside of this region.  


Where are you located?

  • Toy Breeds In Need (TBIN) is not a shelter and does not have a facility that houses our dogs.  Our organization is comprised of a network of volunteers who temporarily house rescued dogs until their forever families are found.  Dogs reside in foster homes and are treated as members of the family.  This gives us the ability to better understand the unique needs and personalities of each dog in our care and helps us to find the most suitable forever homes.  


Where do TBIN's dogs come from? 

  • The dogs in TBIN's care typically come from individuals who are no longer able to care for them.  TBIN also accepts dogs from shelters and works with other partner rescue organizations to offer aid to toy breed dogs who are in need of rescue assistance.  


Why adopt a rescued dog? 

  • It is estimated that 6-8 million cats and dogs are euthanized each year in the United States.  Simply put, adoption saves lives and is truly the compassionate option.  It is also estimated that 25% of homeless dogs are purebred dogs.  Whatever breed you are seeking, you will be able to find in a rescue or shelter.  Adopting a dog saves two lives, the life of the dog you adopt, and the dog who will take his or her place in the rescue.  Rescued dogs have an enormous amount of love and life to offer.  They simply long for a kind word, a loving pat on the head, and a soft place to lay their heads.  


Why adopt from TBIN?

  • We work tirelessly to provide the highest level of care to the dogs that have been entrusted to us.  All dogs are spayed/neutered, are current on necessary vaccines, are Heartworm/Lyme/Ehrlichia/Anaplasmosis tested, have been dewormed and/or have had a negative fecal test, are microchipped, and have been seen by a licensed veterinarian.  All TBIN dogs are fed a high-quality species appropriate diet, are given supplements to support wellness, and have had any medical issues thoroughly addressed.  TBIN provides lifetime support for every dog adopted from us.  We are always available to answer questions, provide guidance, and share tips and suggestions so that you and your adopted companion can live the longest, happiest life together.  We also stand behind our dogs for life.  This means that if at any time, for any reason the adoption does not work out, we always take our dogs back.  We believe that our commitment to each dog does not end at the time of the placement with a forever family.  We provide educational materials that will help you, the guardian, make the best choices so that you may ensure the health and longevity of your newly adopted canine companion.  


Why adopt an older dog? 

  • Many folks think it would just be too sad to adopt an older dog for fear that they will become attached and then suffer their loss sooner than that of a puppy.  While there may be some truth to this, one thing to keep in mind is that toy breed dogs are longer lived than larger breeds.  A 10 year old Chihuahua can easily live another 7-8 (or more!) years. Blessed are those who choose to open their home to an older dog.  These dogs love with their whole hearts and form deep bonds with their families.  Older dogs are wiser, are often already trained and past the point of chewing your shoes or leaving puddles on the carpet.  They are happy to spend their time laying in your lap or quietly at your feet.  Their demands are fewer and what they have to offer is tremendous: unconditional and unwavering love.  While their muzzles may be a bit gray, and they may be a bit slower, the companionship provide is second to none.  


Why do you require that all dogs in an applicant's home be spayed or neutered?

  • As rescuers, we are acutely aware of the pet overpopulation crisis.  Dogs that are not spayed or neutered are at risk of producing unwanted litters of puppies.  As it is, there simply are not enough homes for all of the dogs that already exist, let alone those that have yet to be born.  Unaltered dogs are more prone to roaming, are at risk for developing uterine, mammary, or testicular cancer, and can sometimes have territorial issues when a new dog is introduced in to their home (such as aggression or marking).  As such, TBIN has a policy that requires all dogs in an applicant's home to be spayed or neutered.  


What is a home visit and why do you require it? 

  • The home visit enables us to verify the information on your application and to get a better feel for the type of environment you would provide for an adopted dog.  It gives us the opportunity to provide feedback such as where an adopted dog would be kept when you are not home, to address any hazards such as electrical cords or houseplants, and to offer guidance as to what breed of dog would best suit you.  If you have applied for a specific dog and we feel that you may potentially be a match for that dog, we will often bring the dog with us when we visit your home.  This will afford both the family and the adoption coordinator an opportunity to see if the dog may be a good fit or if another dog would be a better choice.  All residents of the home must be present during the home visit.