Adopt a Friend

HCW primarily takes dogs from middle Tennessee; occasionally from surrounding states. Although focusing on the central Tennessee community, today's high-tech and internet environment offers us the ability to reach out globally to raise awareness and educate the public to help strengthen the people-animal bond. Today, HCW dogs are with forever families in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Colorado. Our dogs come from elderly and/or ill that have nowhere else to turn and want to know their dogs will be safe after they are gone and from family after the owner died, shelters and other rescues, abandoned and/or injured, and veterinarians. We take dogs no one else will take and the ones who don't make it to the shelter adoption floor. Vets contact us about special dogs that have nowhere else to go; and shelters from the local and surrounding community call HCW when they have special needs, seniors or dogs that they cannot put up for adoption.

Each animal is examined, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, tested for heartworms, de-wormed and receives appropriate medical treatment prior to being offered for adoption. In the rare instance that we place a puppy that is too young for this surgery, we will charge a refundable deposit and monitor the puppy to make sure it is altered as soon as it old enough. At that time, we will return the deposit to the owner. After nurturing, socializing, exercising, and providing love and nutrition, we will carefully screen each potential adoptive family, making the best match possible based on the pet's needs.

Prospective adoptive families will be required to complete an adoption application and adoption contract. We will show pets by appointment, and be as flexible as possible with appointments. Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue and Sanctuary is pleased to work with out of state adopters, but prospective adoptive families must come and meet with us and pick up their new family member. A veterinarian reference is required. The safety and comfort of our dogs is essential. Therefore, to protect the pets, we will not adopt to a home that uses tie-outs or electric shock collars (underground and/or invisible fencing). Under no circumstances will we ship pets.

Our adoption fees normally vary from $100 to $300, based upon the vet costs. Although they do not cover the costs, it helps. Most of our small breed mixes are $150.

Location and Hours

We are located in central Tennessee, about 40 miles south of Nashville. We don't have set hours, we show the dogs by appointment.

Adoption Process

Complete the Adoption Application. Please complete all items on the application; incomplete applications will slow the process. All applications are reviewed by our Animal Care Manager (ACM). She will contact you as soon as she receives the application to begin the process. Our goal is to make the best "forever home" match possible based upon the pet's needs. Our ACM is also responsible for veterinarian and home checks, and can answer any questions regarding the pet or adoptions. You can make an appointment with her to meet the pet.

In the rare instance that we place a puppy that is too young for spay/neuter surgery, we will charge a refundable deposit and monitor the puppy to make sure it is altered as soon as it old enough. At that time, we will return the deposit to the owner.

An Adoption Contract with HCW will require your signature prior to completing the adoption of your new family member.

“Hear our humble prayer, o God, for our friends the animals who are suffering; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry. We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful."