How it works

Thank you for your interest in adopting a rescued Chesapeake Bay Retriever! There are wonderful Chessies looking for new homes at any given time across the country. Rescued Chessies come in all ages, sizes & colors and are all looking for the same thing: love and companionship from a new family!

Our rescue is comprised wholly of hard-working volunteers whose only reward is seeing these wonderful Chessies in loving homes, given a second chance for a happy life. We will try and match you with a devoted, loving companion.

Prospective owners are interviewed in their own homes by a rescue volunteer to ensure that families understand the responsibility of owning and caring for a Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Caution is used when placing CBRR&R dogs in homes with children under 7 years of age for reasons of safety, for the child and the dog. In most cases, a securely fenced yard or area is requested for the dog’s safety and protection. For senior Chessies the fencing requirement may be waived.

We have a multi-step process, each step is outlined below:

We reserve the right to refuse an application if the home situation or environment is deemed incompatible with the needs of a rescued Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
Abigail Buttons Rescued in the Northwest Reigon

Application

Thank you for your interest in CBRR&R.

Please complete our online adoption application below.
Once your completed application is received and application fee has been paid you will be contacted by a volunteer in your area.

Application Fee

The application fee is non-refundable.  Like all donation fees we collect, the money is used to care for our Chessies and some minor operating expenses.

Submission of an application & application fee is not a guarantee of getting a CBRR&R dog.

Home & Vet Check

When you are being considered for a dog, a volunteer will schedule a home visit & perform a veterinarian reference check.

This is a great time for you to ask questions, voice concerns, discuss what you love in a dog, what you’d rather avoid, etc. It’s all about making the perfect match.

How long does it take?

We’re staffed by volunteers with full and part time jobs so the home visit and vet check are normally based on volunteer and dog availability.

Selection

Our approval process helps guide us in finding the home for our dogs. We want our Chessies to find their “forever” homes and families to be happy with their new Chessie.

If you’re a good match to adopt a particular CBRR&R dog, we will approve your application.

What to Expect

Your regional directors will consider your home and family as dogs come into rescue. You may be contacted several times for dogs as we go through the selection process. Continue to look at our list of Rescue Dogs and stay in contact.

Keeping in touch keeps you on our radar and helps us get to know you.

Contract

When you are matched with the Chessie you wish to adopt and the adoption process is completed, we will present you with an Adoption Contract and the adoption donation fee is then due.

Congratulations, you get a wonderful CBRR&R dog to add to your family.

Support

A CBRR&R dog has been evaluated, vetted, & often has brushed up manners.

You will have volunteers available for questions, advice and share your successes. You and your new rescued Chessie will always be CBRR&R alumni & family.

Apply Now

To start the process, create an account and then submit an online adoption application.  While you’re waiting for us to process your application, check out some of our adoptable dogs.  Remember we’re accepting dogs all the time and we’re adopting them out too.  Don’t wait to see the dog you want before you apply or she may be gone before you get through the process.
Don’t forget to start by logging in to create an account.
See Available Dogs
Adoption Application
Adoption Fees

Note

If you have previously adopted from us, already started or completed an application, and are logged in – just select the Adoption Application button and we will open your previous application.