FAQ’s

What is the adoption process?
  • Potential adopter fills out a non-binding application either online or at an event
  • Someone will speak with you at an event or contact you to discuss your application
  • All members of the potential adopter’s household (including pets) will meet the dog
  • We will schedule a home check
  • Potential adopter will foster the dog for a two-week ‘foster-to-adopt’ period. This foster-to-adopt period is intended to give the potential adopter a chance to get to know the dog, make sure it is the right fit, as well as give the dog a chance to settle in and show its true potential
  • If after the foster-to-adopt period it is deemed a match made in heaven, the adoption will be finalized by signing an adoption contract and paying an adoption fee
What is the adoption fee for a dog?

The adoption fee is $250, including a copy of your new pet’s medical information(vaccine history, microchip, lab work, urinalysis, dental, and 30+ days of medication). If you are 65 or older or a previous adopter or foster, then the adoption fee is $125. The adoption fee is a tax- deductible donation, this allows us to continue our work for the next senior dog who needs us. A portion of your fee also goes to our Keeping pets HOME program and PAWS IT FORWARD so families on fixed incomes who love their senior sweeties get to keep their beloved animal companions! 

Where are you located? Do you have a facility I can come visit?

Lionel’s Legacy is based out of East County San Diego, CA. We are a foster-based organization, which means we do not have a central boarding facility. However, we do have an adoption and wellness center where you can meet dogs by appointment after filling out an appropriate application. To meet one or more of our dogs, please fill out an adoption application on our website, and we will get back to you in 4-6 days and set up an appointment to meet our available dogs.

I live out of state, can I still foster and/or adopt a dog?
FOSTER: In order to best serve the dogs in our care, we currently work with foster families in and around the San Diego and Orange County areas.

ADOPTION: Thank you for your interest in adoption from Lionel’s Legacy. Dogs may be placed for adoption outside of our local San Diego County/Orange County area as long as the following requirements are met:

Fill out an adoption application at www.lionelslegacy.org

Once approved, complete a virtual meet and greet

If all goes well, travel to the San Diego/Orange County area for a meet and greet with the dog you are interested in adopting. Ideally, family members, two and four-legged, are present.

Transport your new family member home. If traveling by air, the dog must travel in the passenger compartment. Dogs may not travel as cargo.

Are the dogs vaccinated, microchipped, and/or spayed/neutered prior to adoption?
We do our best to ensure all dogs are vaccinated against rabies, bordetella, distemper, microchipped, and, if medically sound, spayed/neutered before adoption. All dogs have been seen by a vet and treated appropriately, and their medical conditions will be fully disclosed.
If the dog takes medicine will Lionel's Legacy provide the medicine for the rest of the dog's life?
If a dog is on long-term medication (for arthritis, hypothyroidism, etc.) Lionel’s Legacy will provide a one-month supply at the time of adoption. The adopter assumes all medical responsibility, including purchasing medication for the dog.
I found a stray/abandoned dog?
We are unable to accept homeless senior dogs. Many owners turn to the local shelter to find their lost pets. Local animal control must retain the pet until the legal stray hold is up and no owner reclaims them. Please get in touch with your local Animal Control to file a found report and have the dog scanned by the shelter or a local veterinarian for a microchip.

If you can hold a dog temporarily, enter the dog into the FindingRover.com database, post photos on your local Lost and Found Pets on Facebook, and place found flyers in your neighborhood.

If you can not hold the dog, bring the dog to the nearest Animal Control agency.

I called/wrote but have not heard back?

Lionel’s Legacy is an all-volunteer rescue. We each have full-time jobs and families. We strive to return phone calls and emails within 3-4 days, but sometimes they get lost in the mix, or an emergency distracts us. Please send a follow-up email to seniors@lionelslegacy.org, including your contact information, and we will get to you as soon as possible. We appreciate all our volunteers, followers, and supporters and strive to respond to every inquiry.

Why would I adopt a senior?
We can give you plenty of reasons to adopt a senior dog, but we’ll list just a few reasons we liked from Petfinder and The Senior Dogs Project:

  • Older dogs are housetrained
  • Senior dogs know what “no” means, making training easier
  • Older dogs are FANTASTIC at giving love!
  • Puppies are a lot of work. A LOT.
  • You know what you’re getting with a senior dog
  • A puppy’s size may be unpredictable