Shiba Inu Rescue Association ~ Help the Shibas

DONATE

*Sponsor a Shiba

There are many costs associated with rescue. First and foremost is the money put into vet care for each foster dog. SIRA covers all routine and unexpected medical care for all our dogs including but not limited to; spaying/neutering, microchipping, annual shots, heartworm test and deworming. Generally adoption fees cover these costs. You can help us defray these costs by sponsoring a Shiba. A full sponsorship is $200. Partial sponsorships may also be made. There are sponsorship donation links in each dog's bio.

*Sponsor a Special Needs Shiba

We do get some dogs with medical problems that when taken care of greatly exceed the adoption fee. In these cases we do special fundraising to cover these extra medical costs in addition to all routine care. Look for the Help Dog! above the pictures on the available dogs page for the fosters that we are doing special fundraising for. Info on their specific medical needs is available in their bios.

*Donate Blankets/Crates/etc.

Do you have any new or gently used dog items around your house unused? Our foster homes are always in need of bankets/sheets, dog beds, crates (travel and wire), exercize pens, dog toys, food and water bowls and many other dog items.

**Please note, we are in the process of obtaining our 501(c)3 non-profit status. As such all donations made at this time are NOT tax-deductible.**

Volunteer

*Foster a Shiba Inu

Our greatest need is foster homes. If you have not adopted from SIRA, you will need to have a home visit similar to the adoption process. Review the home visit section of the Adopt a Shiba page for info on what a home visit entails.

Fostering is typically a 6-8 week commitment. In that time the foster family cares for the foster dog in their home. They also evaluate the dog in how it does with adults, children, other dogs, cats and other small pets if possible. The foster family takes pictures and writes a bio to be posted on the SIRA website, which gives PRHs (Potential Rescue Homes) the chance to see the dog and contact the foster family with question or to express their interest in the dog. The foster family is then is able to decide on the *best* match for their foster dog, out of the SIRA approved PRHs.

Fostering is without a doubt one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities available! Consider opening you home to a homeless Shiba Inu.

To apply to become a foster home for Shiba Inu Rescue Association please visit the "Foster a Shiba" page.

*Evaluations and Pictures of Owner Surrender and Shelter Shibas

The number of Shibas that need to be rescued grows by leaps and bounds each year. SIRA gets Shibas from a variety of situations. Though we are unable to evaluate dogs released or seized from commercial breeders due to the urgency of those situations, we do evaluate each dog that we consider taking in from owner surrenders and shelters.

For an evaluation, volunteers are provided with a form that is very easy to follow. Volunteers will go to the owner's home or the shelter and evaluate a dog for its temperment and ability to deal with situations it would encounter during foster care and after adoption; petting, loud noises, high activity, other dogs, etc. If we have not received pictures from the owner or shelter, volunteers may also be asked to take pictures for the Intake Coordinator to verify that the dog is infact a Shiba.

*Evaluate potential adopters and their home

Home visit volunteers are essential in the adoption process. We are growing and getting applicants in new areas all the time and therefore need new volunteers in those areas! You can read more about home visits on the Adopt a Shiba page. Like evaluations volunteers are given a simple form to fill out with questions pertaining to the applicant and their household. You will be evaluating the applicant to make sure that they are prepared to bring a rescue Shiba into their home and care for its needs in a loving and nurturing environment.

If you are interested in doing home visits but would like to see the process before you go out on your own, you may accompany one of our volunteers on a home visit. This will help give you a better idea of what it enatails. You may also download the home visit form below.