Frequently Asked Questions

We have compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions.

For general questions, please check the list below.
It will help you understand how we do what we do and why.
Please let us know if there are questions not answered.

Our available dogs are residing in foster homes throughout the state of Wisconsin. Due to volunteer time constraints, we limit visits to approved families only.

Our adoption fees are:

  • $450 for puppies younger than 1 year.
  • $400 for dogs 1 year – 8 years.
  • $250 for dogs over 8 years.

The adoption fee helps cover the vetting of the dogs in our program. Most animals needing rescue are also in need of routine vaccinations, spays or neuters, heartworm testing, preventative or treatment, and a microchip. 

The adoption fee helps cover these costs. Some incoming dogs are in need of other medical attention and any funds left over after routine vetting are pooled together for more expensive care needs. Fundraisers are held to help cover any other costs.

Shelters – many shelters (humane societies) are overcrowded and in need of space to save more animals.  Breed rescue helps fill this need by helping to place based on breed knowledge.

Animal Control – after stray holds are completed – animals need to go somewhere.  Since they are not an adoption forum, animal control animals often go to shelters and/or rescue for placement.

Owner Surrenders – when families can no longer keep their pets or realize their mistake in getting one, they will contact us to help find new homes.

Good Samaritans – when animals are found in less than desirable situations, some owners can be talked into a better solution for their pet.  Neighbors, mail personnel, landlords, and friends have contacted us for information to pass along to families about options for the animals in their care.

Absolutely. Doberman Paw is an all-volunteer organization with no paid employees. All money coming in is used to pay medical care costs for the animals in our program. Currently, our foster homes pay for all the dog’s physical needs (collars/leashes, crates, food, toys, bowls, shampoos, etc) and we would love to relieve some of these costs to lessen their individual burdens and help more animals.

We are currently only adopting to families in Wisconsin. This may vary by the dog of interest and distance from our volunteer base. Our goal is to safeguard the animals we touch for their entire life. If the distance is too great, we are unable to quickly respond. We are less knowledgeable about the area, local businesses, medical contacts, and training facilities outside our volunteer base. Distance also limits our ability to stop by for reassurance or more information. Though we use other rescues for support and help, we don’t like to rely too heavily on them to increase their burden.

We have a passion for the Doberman breed. They are what we know and continue to learn from. We will place other breeds that land on our doorstep, but we focus on the Doberman. Much like a reputable breeder – we ‘specialize’ for a greater knowledge base to better help these dogs find where they need to be.

  • Completed application
  • Vet reference
  • Home visit
  • Questions or approval
  • Work through concerns or work through available dogs for a match
  • Or possibly wait for an incoming match

We’d love for you to help. Our biggest need is foster homes, but we have other volunteer opportunities available. Please stop by our volunteer page for more information.

Personal and Rescue related time constraints on our volunteers and distance.  We may not have a Doberman currently in the program that matches your interests or family – placing you on an approved adopter list for our incoming dogs.

It is one of the tools we use to help better understand your family, situation, and desires.  We pool all the information from the home visit, vet reference, and application to help make great matches.  Some of our dogs require very specific situations and living companions, while others may fit in anywhere.  We try to help them find where they need to be.

It is rare for rescue to have puppies.  Most of our dogs come in between 1 and 2 years old while others come in after 7 and 8 years old.  Puppies under 1 year are usually still manageable.  It is when they are ‘full grown’ puppies that they are surrendered.

We never know.  It doesn’t happen very often.  We currently hold a waiting list for people only interested in a younger dog for very specific reasons (search/rescue, leader dogs, etc.) 

Oh yes, they seem to be the most grateful for our efforts and of their new adoptive families.    

Our overall goal is to put the need for rescue ‘out of business.’  To move forward on that goal – we promote ethical and responsible breeding programs designed to better our wonderful breed.   With limited or no history of the Dobermans coming into our program – although beautiful – they should not be used for breeding.

She (he) may be.  Many of our dogs are adopted by approved homes before they are publicly listed for adoption.  The best plan for adoption is – get approved – and work with us on finding your next companion.       

As families finish the application process, they become either approved or denied.  Past adopters are pre-approved or denied.

As soon as we are done evaluating and determining interest from approved homes on the waiting list.

We may, or one might be on its way in.  We normally don’t place Dobermans by their physical appearance.  We place by personality and temperament.  

Doberman’s come in four colors.

  • Black – the most common
  • Red –
  • Blue – a diluted black
  • Fawn – a diluted red – the least common
  • More information can be found on the DPCA Public Education Pages

There is an albino gene that will cause the trait and other health concerns. A wonderful source of information on this subject can be found at About Albino Dobermans

Dobermans do have a number of health issues.  We’d like to direct you to the DPCA website for more information.

You can find a lot more information about our breed on the other DPCA Public Education pages.

By becoming an approved home or volunteer.  We normally receive a minimum of 10 applications per dog in our program.  Each of these homes that don’t match with the dog of inquiry may become approved for a different dog – or one that’s not in yet.  Our approved list can get quite long.   Approved homes are able to meet the fosters that may match their families.  The best way to approach this process is to – become a part of our family and let us know what you are looking for. 

We have volunteers all over the state of Wisconsin.