There are many ways to support Howling Hideaway Rescue! You can make a monetary donation via etransfer to howlinghideawaydogs@gmail.com, purchase items from our Amazon wishlist, donate goods for auctions and raffles, or drop off your empty bottles to the rescue. You could also organize a fundraising event in your community on behalf of the rescue. 

Howling Hideaway Rescue is 100% volunteer run. Every donation, whether monetary or in-kind, goes directly toward the care of the animals. There are no paid positions, so your support truly makes a difference.

Every donation, big or small, helps us give animals the second chance they deserve. We're so grateful for your support and generosity.

Yes, we do! Our Amazon wishlist includes much needed supplies like food, toys, leashes, collars, and other essentials that help us care for animals in need. Every item donated goes directly to supporting our fosters and animals in our care.

You can view and purchase items from our wishlist here. Thank you for helping us make a difference!

Yes, we're always looking for volunteers!

If you'd like to lend a paw, visit our Adopt | Foster | Volunteer page to learn how you can help in ways that fit your schedule. 

You can view our current adoption fees on the Adopt|Foster|Volunteer page.

Adoption fees include:

• up to date on vaccines
• deworming
• microchipping
• spay/neauter surgery
• verterinary checkup
• 6 week pet insurance for accident or illness

Adoption fees help cover the cost of veterinary care, food, and supplies for animals while they wait for a home in foster care. They also support the rescue as a whole, allowing us to care for animals with higher medical needs and continue our mission to save lives. 100% of adoption fees go directly toward animal care, as our rescue is entirely volunteer run.

In many cases, the value of care your pet receives far exceeds the adoption fee, often including spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations, flea and tick treatment, deworming, microchipping, and more.

Your adoption fee doesn’t just help one animal. It helps the next one too!

Bringing home a rescue dog is an exciting and rewarding experience, but it takes time, patience, and consistency. Every dog is different, and adjustment doesn’t happen overnight. One helpful way to understand the process is by following the 3-3-3 rule. This is a general guideline for what to expect in the first three days, three weeks, and three months.

Every dog adjusts at their own pace. Be patient, be kind, and be consistent.

3 Days

How they may feel:
• Overwhelmed or shut down
• Hiding, not eating or drinking
• Testing boundaries or having accidents

What you can do:
• Give space without forcing interaction
• Set calm, consistent boundaries
• Start a gentle daily routine

3 Weeks

What to expect:
• Settling in and learning the routine
• Showing true personality
• Behavioural challenges may emerge

What you can do:
• Practice basic training
• Give calm, clear feedback
• Praise and celebrate good behaviour

3 Months

What you'll see:
• Comfortable and trusting
• Bonding with family and pets
• Understanding they are truly home

What you can do:
• Stay consistent with training
• Use affection as a reward
• Reinforce routine and trust

The short answer: it depends.

As a foster-based rescue, there are many moving parts, and every adoption timeline is a little different. All of our team members are volunteers with full-time jobs, so reviewing applications, coordinating meet-and-greets, and scheduling veterinary care takes time.

Before adoption, each dog must complete their vet checkups, receive vaccinations, and be spayed or neutered if not already done. Meet-and-greets are scheduled based on the availability of both the foster home and the potential adopter.

We do our best to move things along as quickly as possible, but we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to find the best fit for every animal.

Yes, meet-and-greets are possible. However, because we are a foster-based rescue, our animals are cared for in private homes across Westport, Athens, Kingston, Perth, Smith Falls & more regions.

If you are interested in a specific foster, a meet-up can be arranged once your application has been reviewed and it is determined to be a potential match. Meeting times and locations are coordinated directly between the foster home and the potential adopter, based on what works best for everyone involved.

We understand that sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, an adoption may not go as planned. While this is a situation we try to avoid, we are here to support you if challenges arise.

Before adopting, we ask that potential adopters carefully consider the time, patience, and consistency required to welcome a rescue animal into their home. This is a meaningful commitment, and adjustment takes time.

To help set everyone up for success, we:

• Carefully screen applications to find the best possible match

• Encourage adopters to follow the 3-3-3 rule, which outlines what to expect as a dog adjusts over the first 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months (see “How can I be a successful adopter?” for more information)

• Offer access to a trusted professional trainer for support with behaviour concerns

If, after working through the adjustment period and seeking available support, the adoption still is not the right fit, we will work with you to return the animal to the rescue and place them back into foster care.

Please know that returning a dog can be very stressful for them, as they have already begun forming bonds and adjusting to a new routine. This is why we ask all adopters to make a true commitment to being kind, patient, and consistent, and to give their new pet the time they need to feel safe, settled, and loved.

Fostering means opening your heart and home to an animal in need and giving them a safe place to land while they wait for their forever home. It is one of the most rewarding ways to support rescue work.

All food, supplies, and veterinary care are covered by the rescue. Your role is to provide a loving, stable environment, help with basic training and socialization, and support the animal’s transition into family life.

Fosters also play an important role in:

• Communicating with the rescue about the animal’s progress

• Helping to answer questions from potential adopters

• Coordinating meet and greets when needed

• Providing photos, videos, or updates for adoption profiles and social media

You do not need professional experience. You just need patience, compassion, and a willingness to help an animal feel safe and loved. Our team is always here to support you along the way.

The length of time an animal stays in foster care can vary. It depends on several factors, including the animal’s veterinary schedule, spay or neuter appointments, and the level of interest from potential adopters.

Some animals may find homes within days, while others may need weeks or even months of care and support. We do our best to keep fosters informed and supported throughout the entire process.

As a foster, you will be fully supported with the supplies you need to care for your foster. We provide food and treats, leashes, collars, crates, beds, toys, and other essentials.

If there are additional items you feel would help support the amimal's care or training, just let us know. We want to make sure you and your foster have everything you need for a successful and comfortable experience.

Yes, you can absolutely foster if you have other pets or children. Despite the common misconception, not all rescue animals have behavioural or aggression issues. We welcome animals of all kinds into our care, and many of them do well in busy, loving homes.

We provide as much information as possible about each dog so you can make the best decision for your family. In many cases, having other pets or children can actually help a rescue dog adjust by providing companionship, play, and routine.

We would never place an animal in a foster home where the match could cause stress for you, your family, or the dog. Your comfort and safety, and theirs, are always a top priority.