Adoption
Apply for parole
Adopting from Last Chance Ranch means taking home a dog who has already survived the hard part. Here's how it works, what we ask, and what to expect.
The process
How adoption works
- Read the filesBrowse our adoptable dogs. Each inmate's page lists their energy level, who they get along with, and their conditions of parole. Be honest with yourself about your home, schedule, and other pets — the right match matters more than the cutest photo.
- Submit an applicationFill out the adoption application. It takes about ten minutes. We ask for veterinary and personal references, some information about your home, and who lives there.
- We review & check referencesA volunteer reads every application and calls your references. We're small and volunteer-run, so please give us a few days — and check your spam folder for our email.
- Meet & greetCome meet your match at the Ranch (by appointment). If you have a dog at home, we'll arrange an introduction. Some dogs are in foster homes; we'll set up a meeting with the foster family.
- Home visit & adoptionFor some dogs we do a quick home visit or virtual walk-through. Then you sign the adoption contract, pay the adoption fee, and take your new best friend home. Parole granted.
Our adoption policy
Our adoption process is designed to ensure each animal is placed in a safe, stable, and appropriate home. Potential adopters are required to complete an adoption application, provide veterinary and personal references, and demonstrate the ability to properly care for the animal. We carefully review each application to help ensure a good match based on the animal's needs, temperament, and lifestyle requirements.
If an adoption does not work out, animals adopted through our program must be returned to Last Chance Ranch rather than rehomed independently. Once a Last Chance dog, always a Last Chance dog — we'll take them back at any point in their life, no questions asked.
Adoption FAQ
Questions from the visiting room
What is the adoption fee?
Adoption fees vary by dog and are listed when you apply — please email or message us for the current fee for a specific dog. Fees help offset spay/neuter, vaccines, heartworm testing and prevention, microchipping, and any other medical care the dog received with us. Fees for senior dogs and long-term residents are often reduced or waived.
What's included?
Every dog is spayed or neutered, up to date on age-appropriate vaccines, heartworm tested (and treated if needed), on flea/tick and heartworm prevention, and microchipped. You'll go home with their medical records and whatever we know about their history and personality.
Do I need a fenced yard?
Not necessarily. Some of our dogs need room to run and a secure fence; others are happy with leash walks and a couch. We match to the dog, not to a checklist. Apartment and rental homes are welcome — just be sure your lease allows dogs of that size and breed, and be ready to show it.
I have other pets / kids. Can I still adopt?
Usually, yes — but it depends on the dog. Each dog's page lists whether they're good with dogs, cats, and kids. Some inmates (Leroy and Princess, for example) need to be the only pet, and a few aren't right for small children. We'll be honest with you; please be honest with us.
Can I meet a dog before applying?
We ask that you apply first. It's a small team, and the application helps us know which dogs to introduce you to. Once your application is in, we'll set up a visit at the Ranch or with the foster home.
How long does it take?
Typically one to two weeks from application to adoption day, depending on reference callbacks and scheduling the meet-and-greet. If it's been more than a week and you haven't heard from us, please follow up — we're volunteers and things occasionally slip through.
Do you adopt out of state?
We're in Aiken, SC and most of our adopters are within driving distance of the CSRA and the Midlands. We'll consider out-of-area applications case by case, but you'll need to come meet the dog and drive them home yourself.
What if it doesn't work out?
Call us. First, we'll help — a lot of early bumps (house training, a rough intro to the resident dog, decompression time) are normal and solvable, and we're happy to coach you through the first weeks. If it truly isn't a fit, the dog comes back to us. Please never rehome a Last Chance dog on your own.
What is "foster-to-adopt"?
A trial run. You take the dog home as a foster for a couple of weeks with the intent to adopt, and we finalize once everyone (including the resident pets) agrees. It's a great option for shy dogs like Sanders, or homes with existing pets. More about fostering →
Are all your animals up for adoption?
No. Last Chance Ranch is a sanctuary as well as a rescue — some of our residents, including our cats, will live out their lives with us. The dogs listed on our adoptable dogs page are the ones currently ready for a home.
Ready?
Adoption application
Fill it out below, or open the application in a new tab. Questions first? Email the Warden or message us on Facebook.