APPLICATIONS
A Note About Age-Appropriate Adoptions
Our Mission
At Westie Rescue Southeast our mission is to place each of our dogs in a safe, loving, and lasting forever home. Many of our dogs have already experienced upheaval and loss, and we work hard to ensure their next home is truly their last.
Age Consideration
We understand the deep love and companionship our Westies bring, and we welcome adopters of all ages. However, we ask our senior applicants, especially those in their 70s and 80s, to thoughtfully consider the age of the dog they hope to adopt. While puppies and young dogs are undeniably adorable, they may have lifespans of 13–16 years or more. Sadly, we’ve seen too many cases where dogs outlive their owners and are surrendered to rescue as seniors themselves. These transitions can be extremely stressful for the dog and make rehoming much more difficult.
Instead, we encourage applicants to consider one of our wonderful adult or senior Westies, many of whom are already house-trained, settled, and deeply appreciative of a loving home. These dogs often make ideal companions and are more aligned with a quieter lifestyle.
Young Children Reminder
We also want to share a gentle reminder that we do not place our dogs in homes with children under the age of 10, whether they live in the home or visit frequently. Over the years, we’ve had a number of dogs surrendered after incidents involving young children often because the child didn’t understand or respect the dog’s boundaries. This puts both the dog and the child at risk, and it’s a heartbreaking situation for everyone involved.
Instead, we encourage families with young children to consider waiting until the kids are a bit older, or to support the rescue in other ways until the timing is right for adoption.
Our goal is always to create the best possible match for both the adopter and the dog and we appreciate your understanding and support in helping us do just that.