Frequently Asked Questions

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 Westie Rescue Southeast is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, foster-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of West Highland White Terriers (Westies) in need. We do not operate a facility; all dogs in our care live in foster homes.

Westie Rescue Southeast follows a strict protocol when placing one of our rescue Westies in need of a new home:

1.  An application MUST be on file by the potential adopter.  Go to www.westierescuesoutheast.org and click on "Applications “ from the menu bar on the top of the Home Page.

2. Select “Adoption Application."

3. Complete the application online, be sure to initial the requirements and acknowledge adoption fee and click on "Submit" at the bottom of the digital form. Incomplete applications are automatically deleted. 

4. Please understand that completing an application does NOT guarantee adoption.  A very thorough decision-making process is utilized, keeping the dog's individual needs as the main contributing factor for who is chosen as the adopter.  

5. An adoption fee is required which will allow the Westie Rescue Southeast to continue to help other Westies in need.

6. Due to the high number of applications received, further communication will only be with the potential adopter.  We are a small organization made up of ONLY volunteers, therefore responding to each and every interested party isn’t possible. 

7. Our dogs are fostered in private homes. We do not disclose the location for privacy of the foster family. Any applicant must be within a 4 hour driving window of the rescue dog. We require a home visit and meet and greet prior to any potential adoption. This does not guarantee an adoption. Adopters must be willing to travel to the dog.  Pertinent info will be discussed if you are chosen for a meet and greet.

8. We focus on matching dogs with adopters based on what’s best for the dog’s unique needs and temperament. Our goal is to ensure that our rescue dogs find their perfect fit for a forever home.

You can donate to Westie Rescue SouthEast via the DONATIONS PAGE found on this site.

If you need to surrender a Westie or know of a Westie in need, please contact us through our portal on this site.

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.

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 older 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.

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.

Please know that our fencing policy is not a reflection of anyone’s abilities as a pet owner, but a result of years of experience with rescue situations. Many of the Westies that come into our care are flight risks due to neglect, trauma, or lack of proper boundaries in their past homes. Some are runners by instinct, and even with the most attentive human, the unpredictable can happen in a split second. Our goal is always to place our dogs in environments that prioritize their safety above all else.

While we understand that many loving homes may not have a physical fence, our board has made the decision to stand firm on this requirement based on the consistent and sometimes heartbreaking experiences we’ve had with lost dogs or near-misses. A secure, fenced area is a safeguard — not a substitute for love and attention, but an additional layer of protection we feel is necessary.

We know this policy may exclude some dedicated individuals, and that is never an easy outcome. Please know this is not a judgment of an individual’s dedication, but our commitment to the safety of the dogs entrusted to our care. We hope you understand that our decisions, though not always popular, are made with the dogs’ best interests in mind.