Our founders' lives changed forever when a little senior dachshund named Albert arrived in Wisconsin in 2016 and found himself homeless. Inadvertently put on a transport with no secure foster destination, Albert had nowhere to go. It was quickly decided that this tiny guy, who was suffering from congestive heart failure and years of neglect, absolutely had to find a home and a loving family....and find one he did. Not only did he find himself a home, but by charming the pants off everyone he met and stealing hearts with his Facebook shenanigans, he inspired Mandy and Darren to help hundreds of other old dogs find homes as well.
Over the first seven months in his new home, Albert's spirit and little antics won him a plethora of Facebook followers. When Mandy and Darren initiated a fundraiser to expand their footprint in rescue, Albert's story inspired many to help. The dream was to convert a two-car garage into a retreat for dogs needing space and time to decompress and adjust to new lives. It would be called Albert's Dog Lounge.
Unfortunately, shortly after the fundraiser kicked off, Albert passed suddenly. Devastated, Mandy and Darren's mission became clear: In Albert's memory, they would do even more to help senior and hospice dogs like the little one who had so greatly enriched their lives. In late 2017, Albert's Dog Lounge went from being a foster space in a converted garage to a 501c(3) non-profit rescue. This small team began rescuing seniors with the goal of helping fifty (50) seniors, special needs, and hospice dogs in their first year.
At the end of 2018, the lives of 139 very special canines (and countless humans) were impacted thanks to the support received from Albert's friends, family and followers. In 2020, 586 lives were impacted. Albert's Dog Lounge has grown from a couple of friends with a mutual passion to a group of more than 150 dedicated volunteers and foster families.
Featured on a news segment on several stations in Wisconsin, in several papers, and on a local radio station, we have been able to share and grow our mission and goals. We were able to purchase a transport van to rescue seniors and special needs dogs from Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas, with our list of rescue partnerships growing daily.
Because of one little dog's inspiring spirit, we have been able to accomplish far more than we ever hoped and, in his honor, we will continue to show that old dogs really do make great new friends!
Mission and Vision
Albert's Dog Lounge is a foster-based rescue focused on providing loving homes to seniors, special needs, and hospice dogs. We help dogs in need from overcrowded shelters and local families who can no longer care for their pets.
Albert's Dog Lounge was established in 2017 with the vision of being the stepping stone to a new life for those dogs who are less likely to be rescued, adopted, or at a higher risk for euthanasia.
Adoption Policy
Albert's Dog Lounge Adoption Policies
1. Albert’s Dog Lounge is a 100% foster-based non-profit dog rescue primarily focused on seniors, special needs, and hospice dogs.
2. All applicants must be 21 or older.
3. Please do not apply to adopt one of our dogs if they will not live in your home with you as a family member, be kept indoors during the day or any extended time without supervision, or if the dogs you currently own are being kept outside. Dogs must not be left outdoors for lengthy periods of time or left unattended outdoors. (i.e., Dog should not be kept outdoors while you are at work during the day.)
4. Before adoption, all dogs will be spayed/neutered and provided the following: Rabies, DHLPP, Bordetella, a microchip, preventatives for both heartworm and flea/tick, evidence of a negative heartworm test or evidence of treatment following the National Heartworm Societies recommended protocol, a health certificate issued by a veterinarian, and evidence of any additional medical treatment deemed necessary by Albert’s Dog Lounge. This includes but is not limited to, biopsies, pathologies, cytology, histopathology, surgical notes, blood panels, etc. Albert's Dog Lounge does not guarantee any medical treatments or surgical procedures. Heartworm treatment is only about 95% effective. There is always a risk (Around 5%) when you adopt a dog who has been treated for heartworm, which is that you will be required to provide further/additional treatments down the road. Albert's Dog Lounge believes in quality of life. We spend, on average, approximately seven hundred dollars plus on each dog to get it healthy and ready for adoption. However, we will not provide "optional" surgeries for dogs if not deemed medically necessary or if the issue is not affecting their overall quality of life. Examples of optional surgeries include, but are not limited to, minor luxating patella, minor ACL issues, lipomas (fatty tumors) and lumps that are not affecting the dog's quality, etc. If the dog can be treated with medications and/or is comfortable, we avoid anesthetizing seniors whenever possible. Dentals are only provided when the dog has Grade 3 to 4 dental disease, the dog has infections, or broken teeth. Not all dogs will receive dental treatment. Only the more serious cases will get dental care, and adopters will agree that they understand the importance of dental care and will continue to get dental work done for their senior dogs in the future.
5. Albert’s Dog Lounge does not do same-day adoptions.
6. Unless otherwise noted, all dogs have an adoption fee of $300 for a single dog or $550 for a (bonded) pair. Pairs must be adopted at the same time to get the reduced adoption fee.
7. We accept applications from within the following areas: Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Eastern Iowa, and Eastern Minnesota. We only do adoptions within a 5 (five) hour radius of our headquarters in Whitewater, WI, unless otherwise approved. All potential adopters are expected to come and meet their new potential family members once approved. We do not ship or deliver dogs. We do not adopt dogs as gifts to others.
8. All dogs in the applicant's household must be spayed/neutered, receive routine wellness exams, and be up to date on vaccines unless under the guidance/recommendation of a certified veterinarian. Indoor cats must be spayed/neutered and up to date on rabies. Outdoor cats must be spayed/neutered.
9. No adoption will be formalized until you have met with the animal. All family members must meet the dog unless approved otherwise.
10. All applications received will be processed with the dog's best interests in mind to ensure a successful adoption for your family. We do not hold dogs once they are placed in foster care. Even if you seem like the perfect match for a particular dog, we will not hold a dog in a foster home to wait for you to get approved. It is not fair to the dog should another equally good match be approved and want to adopt. Similarly, we will not hold on to a dog for you to schedule a meet and greet with the dog. We ask for a meet and greet to be scheduled within 48 hours of formal approval once approved for a specific dog. Once you have met the dog and determined it is a match, we can only hold them for an additional 24 hours unless approved by the board of directors in advance. It is unfair to the dog, the foster home, or another needy dog waiting to come to the rescue. We strongly recommend that you get approved before you see a dog you want so that you will be ready when the right match comes along.
11. After receiving your application, it will be processed for a veterinarian check (as applicable), a background check, and personal reference checks (as deemed necessary).
12. There will be a home visit for all dog adoptions. This may be done in-person or virtually, as determined by the adoption coordinator.
13. Most of our volunteers and foster families work full-time and have families and pets of their own, so please be patient. We will get back to you as soon as possible!
14. Our dogs have not been trained as individual therapy companions and cannot be adopted for this purpose.
15. It is understood that Albert’s Dog Lounge assumes NO responsibility for damage to property or to injuries caused by the said dog to persons or other pets once the adoption is formalized. Albert’s Dog Lounge has made every reasonable effort to screen potentially aggressive or dangerous dogs. However, no claims, assertions, or guarantees are made regarding the predictive reliability of said dog’s personality or behavior. Albert’s Dog Lounge does not give any warranties covering the health or temperament of any dog (neither expressed nor implied).
16. All adoptions are on a two-week trial period. Any time within those two weeks, said dog may be returned for a full refund of the adoption fee. If, after this two-week trial, the dog does not work out, the dog must still be returned to Albert’s Dog Lounge. No refund will be given outside of the two-week trial period.
17. All adopters are required to sign a contract at the time of adoption, agreeing to the above-mentioned, as well as the following: The dog will wear a safe collar or harness with rabies tags and have up-to-date personal identification tags on at all times with the adopter’s information, including name, phone number, and a second contact number. The dog will be provided with fresh food and water, daily exercise, and adequate time and attention to ensure its good emotional health. The adopter will agree to contact Albert’s Dog Lounge IMMEDIATELY in the event the dog becomes lost. In addition, the adopter makes all reasonable efforts to find the dog, such as posting signs, placing an ad in the local papers, and visiting animal control facilities. The dog will be kept up to date on all shots, flea prevention, any necessary licensing, and on heartworm prevention throughout the year. The dog will visit a veterinarian at least once per year for shots and an annual health check, and the adopter will agree to be responsible for any vet bills incurred for the life of this dog and the contract with Albert’s Dog Lounge. The dog will be kept safe from predators and unsafe situations. At NO TIME should the dog be used for or in the training of dog fighting animals or otherwise placed in dangerous or life-threatening situations.
18. Albert’s Dog Lounge reserves the right to refuse adoption to anyone for any reason. All adoption decisions are confidential and final.
19. If you are going on vacation or moving, please apply AFTER YOU RETURN or when settled into your new home, unless you are applying for preapproval and/or are willing to wait.
20. Albert’s Dog Lounge will take in local owner surrenders when there is foster availability.
https://www.albertsdoglounge.org/adoptables
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