Adopt
Adoption Requirements
Our goal is simple: to ensure every dog in our care is placed in a safe and committed home where they can truly thrive. Northern breeds are unique dogs, and their “forever” home depends on a well-matched partnership. Please read this page carefully before submitting an adoption application.
Eligibility & Approval
We take our time to get it right. All adopters must go through our formal approval process before meeting or adopting a dog. We review applications in the order they are received to ensure fairness for both the families and our dogs. Please note that we do not offer same-day adoptions.
Location & Transportation
Arctic Rescue is proudly based in Utah. While we welcome out-of-state adopters, you must be willing to travel to Utah to meet the dog in person. Arctic Rescue does not transport dogs for adoption — your new best friend’s journey home starts with you!
Your Home
Fencing
A fenced yard (or the lack thereof) isn’t always a dealbreaker — but a foolproof safety plan is. Adopting a husky requires a clear strategy for managing their high energy, understanding their exercise and safety needs. It is vital to understand that for many of these dogs, an off-leash life simply isn’t an option — even within a fenced perimeter, their innate wanderlust-drive can push them over, under, or straight through boundaries.
Home Visit
A home visit is required for all adoptions through Arctic Rescue. Don’t worry — there’s nothing special to prepare! This process just allows us to verify fencing and safety plans, discuss where the dog will sleep and how they’ll get their daily "zoomies" out, and ensure the environment is a match for that specific dog’s personality.
Experience & Household Considerations
Children & Large Dogs
Many of our dogs come to us with unknown histories regarding children, and many of our foster homes are adult-only. Because these are large, high-energy athletes, they should always be supervised around and never left alone with children — no exceptions.
Other Furry Friends
Centuries of hunting and independence have left many of our dogs with a high prey drive. Small animals (cats, chickens, rabbits, or birds) may be at risk. While some dogs can learn to coexist with proper training, adopters must be prepared for strict management and be willing to keep animals separated if needed. It is not unusual for the integration process to take days, weeks, even months. We encourage slow pacing to help with trust building and long-term success.
A Note on Experience
Whether you’ve raised your own sled-dog team or this is your very first husky, we want to set you up for success.
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Experienced Owners: If you have lived with the hair, the howling, and the "Houdini" escape acts before, we’d love to hear about it! Your experience helps us match you with some of our more "spirited" or "independent-minded" residents.
First-Time Owners: Is this your first time bringing a northern breed home? While previous experience isn't a requirement to adopt from us, we do ask that you do your research. These breeds aren't like your average neighborhood dog; they are survivalists with a unique set of needs. Ask yourself why you want to adopt a husky, and if you are fully prepared for the grooming, the exercise, and the spectacular attitude that makes these dogs so special.
Can I Foster Before Adopting?
Yes! We are happy to help set you up for fostering. Foster applicants go through the same screening process as adopters. However, keep in mind that rescue dogs often arrive with "baggage" — whether it’s escape antics, separation anxiety, or reactivity. We look for families who are ready to roll up their sleeves and work through the transition period.
Our Lifelong Commitment
Adopting a dog is a lifelong promise. We ask all our families to allow at least 60 days for a new dog to adjust to your routine. If challenges arise during that time, please reach out — we are your partners and we are here to help. We are dedicated to supporting a thriving, lifelong bond between you and your dog.
If, at any point in the dog’s life, you can no longer care for them, the dog must be returned to Arctic Rescue. No exceptions. You may not rehome the dog yourself or surrender them to a shelter. Once an Arctic Rescue dog, always an Arctic Rescue dog.
Adoption Process, Cost, and Medical Care
Adoption Process
We strive for a process that is thorough but efficient. Most adoptions take between a few days to two weeks, depending on reference checks and scheduling. We accept both local and out-of-state adopters, modifying the process below as applicable to you.
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Step 1: The Application. Head over to the Adoption Application page to tell us about your home and lifestyle.
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Step 2: The Check-In. Our team will review your application and conduct a phone interview. After speaking with you, we reach out to your personal references, as well as your landlord (if applicable), to ensure everyone is on the same page.
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Step 3: The Home Visit. A volunteer will stop by to chat about containment and exercise plans. For rural or out-of-state adopters, virtual home visits are available.
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Step 4: The Meet & Greet. This is the best part! You’ll meet the dog to see if the "spark" is there.
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Step 5: Approval. Once approved, we move forward with the adoption and your new life together begins. Please note, for out-of-state adopters we do require you to pick up your new furry family member in Utah, often requiring a 24-hour stay to ensure a smooth transition.
Adoption Donations
Arctic Rescue is a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We don't receive city or state funding; we rely entirely on the generosity of our community. Your adoption donation doesn't just "buy" a dog—it pays forward the life-saving care for the next husky in need.
Adoption Donation Amounts:
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Unaltered puppies (Under 1 year): $500 (Includes a $100 spay/neuter deposit, refundable with proof of alteration)
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Altered puppies (Under 1 year): $400
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Adult Dogs (1–6 years): $300
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Seniors (7+ years): $200
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Why Our Adoption Donations Are Higher Than a Shelter
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Most municipal shelters are city-subsidized, meaning they receive government funding and tax dollars to cover their basic overhead.
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We are not. As a private rescue, we rely 100% on adoption donations and the generosity of our community to keep our doors open. We don't receive government checks; we receive your support.
Our dogs live in private foster homes where they receive individual behavioral observation and tailored medical treatment. Your donation directly funds high-quality food, transport, and the intensive veterinary care these breeds often require.
What Your Donation Covers
When you adopt from us, you aren't just "buying" a dog. You are providing a bridge to a better life. Every donation goes directly toward:
Personalized Care & Training
Unlike a kennel environment, our dogs live in individual foster homes. This allows us to provide:
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Behavioral Observation: We learn if a dog is good with cats, kids, or other pups before they move into your home.
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Decompression: Dogs get the time they need to relax and show their true personalities in a real home setting.
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Comprehensive Medical Care
Every dog receives full medical treatment before they are cleared for adoption. This often includes:
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Spay/neuter surgery and vaccinations.
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Microchipping and heartworm testing.
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Treatment for any pre-existing injuries or illnesses they arrived with.
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Essential Supplies & Transport
We cover the "hidden costs" of rescue, including:
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Nutrition: High-quality food for every stage of life while dogs are in our care.
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Safety: Crates, leashes, collars, and transport costs to get dogs from high-risk situations to our rescue.
The Bottom Line: Your adoption donation doesn't just pay for your new best friend—it funds the rescue of the next dog waiting for a chance.
The Arctic Rescue Medical Standard
Every dog that enters our program receives a comprehensive medical "reset" before they head to their forever home. The standard care we provide every Arctic Rescue dog in our care includes:
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Surgery: Spay/neuter (for all adults).
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Wellness: A full physical exam with a licensed veterinarian.
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Vaccinations: Age-appropriate DHPP (Parvo/Distemper), Rabies, Bordetella, and Leptospirosis.
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Identification: Microchip (registered and transferred to you upon adoption).
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Testing & Prevention: Heartworm, tick-borne illness, and fecal testing, plus dewormer.
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Necessary Procedures: Dental work or other surgeries when medically indicated (we do not do routine dental cleanings)
We often take in the "tough cases" that others might turn away. We have successfully treated dogs for everything from hip dysplasia and glaucoma to cryptorchidism, seizures, gunshot wounds, juvenile cataracts, skin conditions, and emergency obstruction removals. If a dog has a known chronic condition, we will disclose everything to you before adoption so you can be prepared for their care.
Availability & Important Notes
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Age is a number (and a guess): Unless we have original records, ages are our "best estimate" based on dental wear and physical indicators. We might be off by a year or so — Arctic dogs are notoriously good at hiding their age!
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The first appointment: While our dogs are vetted, we strongly encourage you to visit your own vet shortly after adoption to establish a relationship and a long-term care plan.
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Availability: To keep things simple, if a dog isn’t listed on our Available Dogs page, they aren't currently up for adoption. Check back often!